Simone Lawson
When discussing amendments to the US Constitution, it is important to consider capitalization conventions. The names of amendments made to the US Constitution are typically capitalized, such as the First Amendment. However, when referring to an amendment in a generic sense, it is written in lowercase, and only the abbreviation Amendment is capitalized. Additionally, while Constitution is capitalized when referring to the specific US Constitution document, the adjective constitutional and descriptive uses of constitution remain lowercase. These conventions help distinguish between specific references to the US Constitution and its amendments and more general discussions about constitutional matters.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Capitalization of "Amendment" | Capitalizing "Amendment" indicates an abbreviation of the name of a specific amendment. For example, "The First Amendment (of the U.S. Constitution)". |
| Capitalization of "Constitutional" | "Constitutional" is usually lowercase because it is an adjective. |
| Capitalization of "Constitution" | "Constitution" is capitalized when referring specifically to the U.S. Constitution as the founding document. |
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What You'll Learn
Capitalizing 'Amendment'
When writing about amendments to the US Constitution, it is important to note that the names of the amendments are usually capitalized. For example, the First Amendment of the US Constitution protects our right to free speech. Here, both "First Amendment" and "Constitution" are capitalized as they refer specifically to the US Constitution and its amendments.
However, when using the word "constitution" descriptively or as an adjective, it is lowercase. For example, we might say that a club or organization operates under a constitution, or that a change is "constitutional." In these cases, "constitution" and "constitutional" are not capitalized because they are being used in a general sense, rather than referring specifically to the US Constitution.
Similarly, the word "amendment" can be capitalized or lowercase depending on the context. If "Amendment" is capitalized, it is typically an abbreviation of the name of a specific amendment. For example, "the First Amendment" can be abbreviated as "the Amendment." On the other hand, if "amendment" is lowercase, it is a generic reference to a change or modification. For example, one might say that an amendment was made to a document or law without specifying a particular amendment.
It is worth noting that different style guides may have slightly different recommendations for capitalizing "Amendment." Some style guides may suggest that plurals, such as "the Teller and Platt Amendments," should be lowercase, treating them as more stylistic preferences rather than grammatical rules. Ultimately, the specific context and style guide being followed will determine the appropriate capitalization of "Amendment."
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Capitalizing 'Constitution'
When discussing amendments to the US Constitution, it is important to note that the names of the amendments are usually capitalized. For example, the First Amendment specifically refers to the First Amendment of the US Constitution, which protects our right to free speech. Therefore, when referring to specific amendments, it is appropriate to capitalize the word "Amendment."
However, it is important to distinguish between using the word "constitution" as a common noun and as a proper noun. When using "constitution" descriptively or as a common noun, it is lowercase. For example, we would say, "The club needed a new constitution." In this sentence, "constitution" is simply describing a type of document and is not referring to a specific founding document.
On the other hand, when referring to the US Constitution as a specific document, it is capitalized. For instance, we would say, "George Washington's signature is on the Constitution." Here, "Constitution" is capitalized because it specifically refers to the founding document of the United States. This capitalization rule applies specifically to the US Constitution and not to other constitutions or general references to a constitution.
Additionally, when discussing constitutional amendments, it is important to note that the word "constitutional" is lowercase. For example, we would refer to "a constitutional amendment" rather than a "Constitutional Amendment." This is because "constitutional" is an adjective in this context and adjectives are typically lowercase. So, while "Constitution" is capitalized when referring to the specific US founding document, "constitutional" remains lowercase in most cases.
In summary, when discussing amendments to the Constitution, capitalize the names of specific amendments (e.g., First Amendment) and the word "Constitution" when referring to the US founding document. However, use lowercase for descriptive uses of "constitution" (e.g., club constitution) and for the word "constitutional" when referring to amendments or other related concepts. These capitalization rules help provide clarity and specificity when discussing amendments to the Constitution.
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The Bill of Rights
The Anti-Federalists wanted power to remain with state and local governments and favoured a bill of rights to safeguard individual liberty. Madison, initially an opponent of the Bill of Rights, believed that writing a list of rights would be counterproductive as natural rights are too numerous to list. However, opponents of the ratification of the Constitution objected to its lack of a bill of rights. To secure ratification, Madison agreed to support adding a bill of rights and served as its author. He included the 9th Amendment, stating that rights not listed in the Bill of Rights are not extinguished.
The first ten amendments of the Constitution, or the Bill of Rights, were proposed by the First Congress of the United States on September 25, 1789. Ten of the proposed twelve amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791. These ratified amendments form what is known as the Bill of Rights. The amendments in the Bill of Rights add to the Constitution specific guarantees of personal freedoms, such as freedom of speech, the right to publish, practice religion, possess firearms, and assemble, as well as other natural and legal rights.
The capitalization of the "Bill of Rights" follows the original enrolled version of the Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the amendments. This enrolled version is on permanent display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C.
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First Amendment
In general, the names of amendments made to the US Constitution are capitalized, and this includes the First Amendment. This amendment is part of the Bill of Rights, which comprises the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The First Amendment was adopted on December 15, 1791, and it serves to protect several civil liberties.
The First Amendment prevents Congress from making laws that would establish a national religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion. It also protects freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, and the right to petition the government for redress of grievances. The right to petition for redress of grievances has historical precedent, dating back to the 1215 Magna Carta and the 1689 English Bill of Rights.
The First Amendment has been applied to the states through a process known as incorporation, using the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment. This application began with the case of Gitlow v. New York in 1925. Over time, the Supreme Court has ruled on the boundaries of the First Amendment, clarifying its protections and limitations. For instance, the Court has determined that the protection of speech is not absolute, and commercial speech is subject to greater regulation than political speech.
The Free Press Clause, as interpreted by the Supreme Court, protects the publication of information and opinions across various media formats. Additionally, the Petition Clause has been interpreted to implicitly protect freedom of association, going beyond the explicit right to assemble guaranteed by the First Amendment. These interpretations by the Supreme Court have expanded the scope and impact of the First Amendment in significant ways.
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US Constitution vs constitution
When discussing the US Constitution, it is important to distinguish between the specific document and the more general concept of a constitution. The US Constitution, as a proper noun referring to the founding document of the United States, is always capitalized. For example, "The US Constitution was signed by George Washington".
However, when using the word "constitution" in a descriptive or generic sense, it is lowercase. For instance, "The chess club needed a new constitution" or "We should look that up in our constitution". Here, "constitution" is used to describe a set of rules or guidelines, rather than the specific US Constitution.
Similarly, when referring to amendments to the US Constitution, the names of the amendments are typically capitalized. For example, "The First Amendment guarantees freedom of speech". Capitalizing the word "Amendment" in this context indicates that it is an abbreviation of the specific amendment's name. However, if one is referring to an anonymous amendment or a group of amendments, the word "amendment" would be lowercase: "The Teller and Platt amendments were controversial".
It is worth noting that the rules for capitalization can vary depending on style guides and personal preferences. Some style guides may have specific rules for capitalizing plurals or adjectives derived from proper nouns. However, in general, the capitalization of "Constitution" and "Amendment" in the context of the US political system follows the guidelines mentioned above.
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Frequently asked questions
The names of amendments made to the U.S. Constitution are usually capitalized. For example, the First Amendment.
Capitalizing "Amendment" indicates that it is an abbreviation of the name of the amendment.
When referring to the specific founding document of the U.S. Constitution, it is capitalized. However, when used descriptively or as an adjective ("constitutional"), it is lowercase.
You would write "constitutional amendment" in lowercase.
