Amending the United States Constitution

Which government institution may vote on constitutional amendments?

• bureaucracy

• executive

• judicial

• legislative

The newspaper headline above describes an event in U.S. history.

Source: Anti-Saloon League Museum

Based on the headline, what happened before the event presented in the image?

• Two-thirds of each house of Congress voted to support the amendment.

• The president rejected the amendment after Congress voted to support it.

• Three-fourths of each house of Congress voted to support the amendment.

• The president forwarded the amendment to the states after Congress voted to support it.

The timeline above provides details about a constitutional amendment.

According to the timeline, what happened between 1919 and 1933?

• The 21^st Amendment was approved by state ratifying conventions.

• The 21^st Amendment was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

• The 21^st Amendment was vetoed by the president.

• The 21^st Amendment was vetoed by Congress.

The passage above was written by U.S. Senator Barack Obama in his 2006 book, The Audacity of Hope.

Based on the passage, which statement about the amendment process would Senator Obama support?

• The ratification process allows the president to reflect public views.

• The ratification process allows governors to reflect public views.

• The U.S. Constitution is difficult to amend.

• The U.S. Constitution is easy to amend.

The passage below is from an 1848 speech by Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

"In the United States of America women [are] unrepresented in this government—our rights and interests wholly overlooked."

Source: Public Domain

Based on the passage, which action in the modern political system would Elizabeth Cady Stanton support?

• amending the U.S. Constitution to extend suffrage

• amending the U.S. Constitution to guarantee due process

• Congress enacting a law limiting freedom of speech rights

• Congress enacting a law limiting freedom of association rights

Which is the last step in amending the U.S. Constitution?

• The voters approve the amendment in a national election.

• The president signs the amendment in a public ceremony.

• Three-fourths of the state legislatures ratify the amendment.

• Two-thirds of both houses of Congress ratify the amendment.

The timeline below provides details about a constitutional amendment.

1917 – Amendment prohibiting alcohol manufacture, sale or transportation voted on by Congress.

1919 – 18th Amendment prohibiting alcohol manufacture, sale or transportation is ratified by the states.

1933 – 21st Amendment reversing the 18th Amendment is added to the U.S. Constitution.

According to the timeline, what happened between 1919 and 1933?

• The 21st Amendment was approved by state ratifying conventions.

• The 21st Amendment was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court.

• The 21st Amendment was vetoed by the president.

• The 21st Amendment was vetoed by Congress.