Omar Bennett
The constitutions of different countries have been amended several times. The United States Constitution, for instance, has 27 amendments, with more than 11,000 proposals made to amend it. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791. The process of amending the US Constitution involves a two-step process of proposal and ratification. Similarly, the Indian Constitution has been amended numerous times, with the Parliament possessing the power to initiate amendments. However, the state legislatures can pass resolutions requesting the Parliament to create or abolish legislative councils.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of amendments proposed | 11,000+ |
| Number of amendments ratified | 27 |
| First 10 amendments | Known as the Bill of Rights |
| Date first 10 amendments ratified | 15 December 1791 |
| Number of amendments proposed by Congress | 33 |
| Number of amendments proposed by a national convention | 0 |
| Minimum number of states required for ratification | 34 |
| Number of amendments pending | 4 |
| Number of amendments that have failed | 2 |
| Country with a more flexible amendment procedure | Britain |
| Country with a more rigid amendment procedure | USA |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
The US Constitution has been amended 27 times
The US Constitution, the nation's plan of government, has been amended 27 times since it was first put into operation on March 4, 1789. The process of amending the Constitution involves a two-step process of proposal and ratification. Amendments can be proposed by either a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives or by a national convention called by Congress on the application of two-thirds of state legislatures. However, the latter option has never been used.
The first 10 amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and cover a range of freedoms and rights, including freedom of speech, freedom of the press, and the right to keep and bear arms.
Since then, 17 additional amendments have been ratified and incorporated into the Constitution. These amendments address a diverse range of topics, including election regulations, the appointment of electors for the President and Vice President, and the prohibition of intoxicating liquors.
The most recent amendment occurred in 1961, which pertained to the appointment of electors for the President and Vice President by the District constituting the seat of government. It stipulated that this district would have the right to appoint electors in the same manner as directed by Congress for other states.
Despite the relatively small number of successful amendments, there have been approximately 11,000 to 11,848 proposals introduced in Congress to amend the Constitution. This highlights the rigorous nature of the amendment process and the importance of maintaining a balance between the need for change and stability in the nation's governing document.
The First Amendment: Freedom of the Press
You may want to see also
The first 10 amendments were ratified in 1791
The United States Constitution has been amended several times since its ratification in 1788. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791, and they defined citizens' rights in relation to the newly established government under the Constitution.
On September 25, 1789, the First Congress of the United States proposed twelve amendments to the Constitution. Ten of these twelve amendments were ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures on December 15, 1791. The ratified amendments, which were Articles 3–12, became the first ten amendments to the Constitution. The first amendment, concerning the number of constituents for each Representative, was never ratified, and the second amendment, regarding the varying compensation for the services of Senators and Representatives, was ratified in 1992 as the 27th Amendment.
The Bill of Rights includes important protections for individual liberties, such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the right to peaceably assemble, and the right to keep and bear arms. It also includes protections against unreasonable searches and seizures and the quartering of soldiers in private homes without consent. These rights were established to address concerns about potential tyranny by the central government and to protect against violations of civil rights, as had been experienced during British rule before and during the Revolution.
The original Joint Resolution of Congress proposing the twelve amendments, including the ten that were eventually ratified as the Bill of Rights, is on display in the Rotunda of the National Archives Museum. The spelling and punctuation of this document reflect the original, providing a glimpse into the historical context of the time.
Amendment 23: Understanding the Right to Vote for DC Residents
You may want to see also
Amendments must be proposed and ratified
The process of amending the Constitution is a two-step procedure, with amendments needing to be proposed and ratified before becoming operative. This process is designed to balance the need for change with stability. An amendment can be proposed and sent to the states for ratification by either the US Congress, if a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives agree, or by a national convention called by Congress on the application of two-thirds of state legislatures. This second option has never been used.
For an amendment to be ratified, it must be approved by three-quarters of the states (38 states since 1959). This can be done either through the legislatures of three-quarters of the states or via a different method determined by Congress. Congress has also, on several occasions, stipulated that an amendment must be ratified within seven years of its submission to the states to become part of the Constitution. This authority was affirmed in 1939 by the Supreme Court of the United States in Coleman v. Miller.
In the absence of a deadline, an amendment can remain pending indefinitely and may be ratified long after being proposed. As of January 3, 2019, there have been approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution introduced in Congress since 1789. Typically, around 200 amendments are proposed during each two-year term of Congress. Despite this, only 27 amendments have been ratified and added to the Constitution.
The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously in 1791. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are collectively referred to as the Reconstruction Amendments. Six amendments have been adopted by Congress but have not been ratified by the required number of states. Four of these are still pending, while one is closed and has failed by its terms.
MN Constitutional Amendment Vote Outcome
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Congress has proposed 11,000+ amendments
The Constitution of the United States has been amended several times since it was enacted. The procedure for amending the Constitution is outlined in Article V, which establishes two methods for proposing amendments. The first method requires both the House and the Senate to propose a constitutional amendment by a vote of two-thirds of the members present. The second method involves a national convention called by Congress at the request of two-thirds of the state legislatures. However, this method has never been used.
Since the founding of the United States, Congress has introduced more than 11,000 proposals to amend the Constitution. Out of these, thirty-three amendments have been proposed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. However, only 27 of these amendments have been ratified and incorporated into the Constitution. The first ten amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and include guarantees of freedom of speech, religion, and the press, as well as the right to bear arms.
Some notable amendments proposed by Congress include the Eighteenth Amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol, and the Twenty-first Amendment, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment. Another example is the amendment regarding the election of the President, limiting an individual to being elected to the office of the President no more than twice. Additionally, there have been amendments related to the District constituting the seat of government of the United States and its appointment of electors for the President and Vice President.
The process of amending the Constitution demonstrates the checks and balances within the U.S. government, ensuring that any changes to the nation's foundational document require broad consensus and support from both Congress and the states. The high bar set for ratification helps maintain the stability and integrity of the Constitution while allowing for necessary changes to be made over time.
Amending the US Constitution: How Many States Are Needed?
You may want to see also
The Indian Constitution is amended differently
The Constitution of India has been amended 106 times since its enactment in 1950, making it the most amended national constitution globally. The Indian Constitution is unique in its amendment process, which differs from other nations like the United States.
The Indian Constitution is amended approximately twice a year due to its detailed specification of governmental powers. This level of detail means that amendments are often required for matters typically addressed by statute in other democracies. The length of the Indian Constitution further highlights this distinction, with over 117,000 words across 450 articles and 104 amendments as of July 2025.
There are three types of amendments outlined in the Indian Constitution, with the second and third types governed by Article 368. The first type requires a "simple majority" in each house of the Parliament of India. The second type mandates a "special majority" in each house, while the third type necessitates the same "special majority" along with ratification from at least half of the State Legislatures.
The process of amending the Indian Constitution has evolved over time. Article 368 of the Constitution, which grants the power to make formal amendments, has itself been amended by the 24th and 42nd Amendments in 1971 and 1976, respectively. The flexibility of the Indian Constitution is intentional, as rigid constitutions of other nations can hinder their ability to adapt to changing conditions.
In contrast, the United States Constitution has seen over 11,000 proposed amendments, with only 27 being ratified. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791. The process of amendment in the US involves proposals by Congress and ratification by state legislatures, as outlined in the text of the amendments.
Amendments: The Foundation of Our Constitutional Rights
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, there have been 27 amendments to the U.S. Constitution, with over 11,000 proposed.
There have been over 11,000 proposals to amend the U.S. Constitution since 1789.
For an amendment to become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 since 1959).
The process of amending the U.S. Constitution is a two-step process. An amendment may be proposed and sent to the states for ratification by either a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and House of Representatives, or a national convention called by Congress. To become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
Yes, the Indian Constitution has been amended several times. The Parliament has the power to amend the Constitution, but it cannot amend provisions that form the Basic Structure of the Constitution as ruled by the Supreme Court in 1973.
