Understanding how the Constitution can be changed through amendments. This stack focuses on the amendment process itself, the total number of amendments, and the special name given to the first ten.
An amendment is a change or an addition to the Constitution's text.
How many amendments does the U.S. Constitution have?
Twenty-seven (27).
What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?
The Bill of Rights.
What is the primary purpose of the Bill of Rights?
To protect the basic rights and liberties of individuals from government infringement.
What is the first step to amend the Constitution?
The proposal of an amendment. This can be done by a two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress OR by a national convention called for by two-thirds of the state legislatures.
After an amendment is proposed, what is the next step to make it part of the Constitution?
Ratification. The proposed amendment must be ratified (approved) by three-fourths of the state legislatures OR by conventions in three-fourths of the states.
Which method of proposing and ratifying amendments has been used for all but one of the (27) amendments?
Proposal by a two-thirds vote in Congress, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures.
