When we look at the amendments in the Constitution, it’s really interesting to see how formal and informal amendments are different. These two types show us how the Constitution has changed over time.
Formal Amendments
Formal amendments actually change the words in the Constitution. There’s a specific process for these, laid out in Article V. There are two main ways to propose a formal amendment:
Congressional Proposal: This is the most common way. A proposed amendment needs to be approved by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Convention of States: This method has not been used yet. It would allow states to call a convention to suggest amendments. For this to happen, two-thirds (34 out of 50) of the states must agree.
After an amendment is proposed, three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50) must approve it. A good example of a formal amendment is the 19th Amendment. This amendment gave women the right to vote and went through the whole process from proposal to approval.
Informal Amendments
Informal amendments don’t actually change the text of the Constitution, but they do change how we understand and apply it. This can happen in several ways:
Legislation: Congress can pass laws that explain or expand the ideas in the Constitution. For example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helped put the idea of equality into action.
Executive Actions: Presidents can use their powers to influence how laws are enforced. For instance, President Truman's order to desegregate the armed forces had a big impact on how laws were understood.
Court Decisions: The Supreme Court is very important in interpreting the Constitution. Major cases like Brown v. Board of Education changed how we view civil rights without changing the Constitution’s words.
Customs and Traditions: Over time, some traditions can become important parts of government. For example, before the 22nd Amendment, there was a custom that presidents would only serve two terms.
In summary, formal amendments change the Constitution’s text, while informal amendments change how we apply it through laws, presidential actions, court decisions, and traditions. Both types help keep the Constitution relevant and responsive to what people need!
When we look at the amendments in the Constitution, it’s really interesting to see how formal and informal amendments are different. These two types show us how the Constitution has changed over time.
Formal Amendments
Formal amendments actually change the words in the Constitution. There’s a specific process for these, laid out in Article V. There are two main ways to propose a formal amendment:
Congressional Proposal: This is the most common way. A proposed amendment needs to be approved by two-thirds of both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
Convention of States: This method has not been used yet. It would allow states to call a convention to suggest amendments. For this to happen, two-thirds (34 out of 50) of the states must agree.
After an amendment is proposed, three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50) must approve it. A good example of a formal amendment is the 19th Amendment. This amendment gave women the right to vote and went through the whole process from proposal to approval.
Informal Amendments
Informal amendments don’t actually change the text of the Constitution, but they do change how we understand and apply it. This can happen in several ways:
Legislation: Congress can pass laws that explain or expand the ideas in the Constitution. For example, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 helped put the idea of equality into action.
Executive Actions: Presidents can use their powers to influence how laws are enforced. For instance, President Truman's order to desegregate the armed forces had a big impact on how laws were understood.
Court Decisions: The Supreme Court is very important in interpreting the Constitution. Major cases like Brown v. Board of Education changed how we view civil rights without changing the Constitution’s words.
Customs and Traditions: Over time, some traditions can become important parts of government. For example, before the 22nd Amendment, there was a custom that presidents would only serve two terms.
In summary, formal amendments change the Constitution’s text, while informal amendments change how we apply it through laws, presidential actions, court decisions, and traditions. Both types help keep the Constitution relevant and responsive to what people need!