50 likes | 255 Views
Amending the Constitution. Essential Question: What are the formal and informal ways in which the Constitution can be amended?. The Formal Amendment Process:. The Informal Process of Constitutional Change. Changes through Law Congress passed laws to expand its authority
E N D
Amending the Constitution Essential Question: What are the formal and informal ways in which the Constitution can be amended?
The Informal Process of Constitutional Change Changes through Law • Congress passed laws to expand its authority • Congress expanded the Executive Branch Changes through Practices • Interpretation of Constitution has changed over time: what are high crimes and misdemeanors?
The Informal Process of Constitutional Change • Informal Presidential Changes • Presidential Succession: Is the VP the “real” President or a stand in? • Executive agreements vs. Treaties • Requesting Legislation • Judicial Review • Woodrow Wilson called the Supreme Court “a constitutional convention in continuous session.” • Judicial activism vs. Judicial Restraint
Now reflect and answer… Over time the meaning of the Constitution has been changed by both formal and informal methods. • Explain two formal methods for adding amendments to the Constitution. • Describe two informal methods that have been used to change the meaning of the Constitution. Provide one specific example for each informal method you described. • Explain why you think informal methods are used more often than the formal amendment process.