Articles & Amendments

Question 1

How is the US constitution amended

Answer 1

Through Article V - entrenchment

Question 2

How many amendments have been added

Answer 2

27

Question 3

Pros of the amendment process

Answer 3

The process works - only 27 amendments to constitution
Amendment process has protected principles of constitution
Process requires bipartisanship which prevents tyrany of one party
Protects federalism by preventing federal govt getting too much power

Question 4

Cons of the amendment process

Answer 4

Requirement for super majorities has made the process too difficult
Unelected supreme court gains too much power through INTERPRETIVE amendments
Allows for tyrany of the minority (Joe Manchin)
It is difficult to incorportate new ideas into US constitution- becoming out of date
Has allowed for poor amendments eg 18th repealed 4 years later by 21st (prohibition)

Question 5

Article 1

Answer 5

All legislative powers vested in Congress (HoR & Senate)

Question 6

Article II

Answer 6

Executive power vested in President

Question 7

Article III

Answer 7

All judicial power vested in Supreme court (and lower courts set up by congress)

Question 8

Article IV

Answer 8

Federal - state and state - federal relationships

Question 9

Article V

Answer 9

Amendment procedures (entrenchment)

Question 10

Article VI

Answer 10

Miscellaneous provisions inc the supremacy clause

Question 11

Article VII

Answer 11

Ratification procedure

Question 12

What is the supremacy clause

Answer 12

Part of Article VI which states that the constitution (with treaties and federal laws) shall be supreme law of the land
1803 marbury v madison made this more explicit

Question 13

1st Amendment

Answer 13

Freedom of religion, speech, the press and assembly

Question 14

2nd amendment

Answer 14

Right to keep and bear arms

Question 15

3rd amendment

Answer 15

No quartering of troops in private homes

Question 16

4th amendment

Answer 16

Unreasonable searches and seizures prohibited

Question 17

5th amendment

Answer 17

Rights of accused persons (don’t have to speak if you might incriminate yourself)

Question 18

6th amendment

Answer 18

Rights of trial

Question 19

7th amendment

Answer 19

Common-law suits

Question 20

8th amendment

Answer 20

Excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments prohibited

Question 21

9th amendment

Answer 21

Un-enumerated (unlisted) rights protected

Ie rights listed in the constitution are not the only rights of individuals

Question 22

10th amendment

Answer 22

Un delegated powers reserved to the states or to the people

Limits powers of the federal govt - what is not listed is down to states or people

Question 23

What are the first 10 amendments to the constitution known as and when were they passed

Answer 23

Bill of rights 1791

Question 24

13th amendment

Answer 24

Slavery prohibited 1865

Question 25

14th amendment

Answer 25

Ex slaves made citizens - including ‘equal protection’ and ‘due process’ clauses 1868

Question 26

15th amendment

Answer 26

Federal govt granted power to impose income tax | 1913

Question 27

17th amendment

Answer 27

Direct election of the senate | 1913

Question 28

22nd amendment

Answer 28

Two term limit for president | 1951

Question 29

25th amendment

Answer 29

Presidential succession and disability procedures 1967 WEST WING TV show when president steps down when his daughter is kidnapped

Question 30

26th amendment

Answer 30

Voting age lowered to 18 | 1971

Question 31

Which is the only amendment to have been ratified by state constitutional conventions in 3/4 states rather than the more usual 3/4 of state legislatures

Answer 31

21st amendment - repealed prohibition

Question 32

How many amendments ratified by congress have been ratified by states

Answer 32

27 of 33

Question 33

How many amendments have failed at the final state ratification level and give an example

Answer 33

6 District of Columbia voting rights amendment which would have granted the the district (the federal capital) full representation is if it were a state