Omar Bennett
The United States Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was first ratified in 1789. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified together in 1791 and include the fundamental freedoms of the First Amendment and the right to bear arms in the Second Amendment. Since then, 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress, with 33 amendments proposed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total number of amendments proposed by the US Congress | 33 |
| Number of amendments ratified by the required number of states | 27 |
| Number of amendments pending ratification | 4 |
| Number of amendments that failed ratification | 2 |
| First 10 amendments known as | Bill of Rights |
| Amendments 13, 14, and 15 known as | Reconstruction Amendments |
| Amendment that repealed an earlier one | 21st Amendment |
| Amendment that repealed | 18th Amendment |
| Topic of the 18th Amendment | Prohibition of alcohol |
| Approximate number of proposals to amend the Constitution introduced in Congress since 1789 | 11,848 |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
There are 27 amendments to the US Constitution
The US Constitution, beginning with the powerful words "We the People", is composed of the Preamble, seven articles, and 27 amendments. The process of amending the Constitution is a complex one, and it is fascinating to delve into the history of these changes and the impact they have had on the country.
The first 10 amendments, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously on December 15, 1791. These initial amendments are foundational, protecting fundamental freedoms and individual rights, such as freedom of speech, the right to bear arms, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures, and the right to a fair trial. They set the tone for the development of American democracy and continue to shape the legal and philosophical landscape of the nation.
Since then, 17 additional amendments have been ratified and incorporated into the Constitution. These amendments address a diverse range of issues, reflecting the evolving nature of American society. For example, the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, known as the Reconstruction Amendments, were added following the Civil War to abolish slavery, grant citizenship and due process, and guarantee the right to vote regardless of race. Other amendments address topics such as the prohibition and subsequent repeal of alcohol (the 18th and 21st amendments), congressional compensation (the 27th amendment), and the rights of citizens to vote regardless of gender (the 19th amendment).
The process of amending the Constitution is deliberately challenging, requiring a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives to propose an amendment, followed by ratification by three-fourths of the states. This rigorous process ensures that any changes to the Constitution are carefully considered and broadly supported. While approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789, only 27 have successfully become part of this foundational document.
The Tenth Amendment: Protecting Our Rights and Freedoms
You may want to see also
The first 10 amendments are the Bill of Rights
The Constitution of the United States has been amended 27 times, with the first 10 amendments collectively known as the Bill of Rights. These amendments were ratified on December 15, 1791, and form what is known as the "Bill of Rights". The amendments of 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, assemble, and other natural and legal rights. The Fifth Amendment provides several protections for people accused of crimes, including the right against self-incrimination and the right to due process of law. The Sixth Amendment provides additional protections, such as the right to a speedy and public trial and the right to an impartial jury. The Seventh Amendment extends the right to a jury trial in Federal civil cases, while the Eighth Amendment prohibits excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishment.
The Ninth Amendment states that the listing of specific rights in the Constitution does not deny other rights retained by the people. The Tenth Amendment reinforces federalism by stating that the Federal Government only has the powers delegated to it by the Constitution. The Bill of Rights was proposed following a bitter debate over the ratification of the Constitution and was written to address objections raised by Anti-Federalists. James Madison, in particular, played a key role in introducing constitutional amendments, pledging to do so during his congressional run. The Bill of Rights was intended to give the Government popularity and stability, and to establish fundamental maxims of free government.
Slavery Outlawed: The 13th Amendment's Impact
You may want to see also
Congress governs the amendment process
The process of amending the US Constitution is governed by Congress, which has enacted statutes that outline the steps required to make changes to this foundational document. Since the Constitution came into operation in 1789, Congress has proposed 33 amendments, 27 of which have been ratified by the requisite number of states and are now part of the Constitution.
The first 10 amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously on December 15, 1791. These amendments safeguard certain individual rights from government interference. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments, meanwhile, are known as the Reconstruction Amendments.
The process of amending the Constitution begins with a proposal from Congress, which must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives. Alternatively, Congress can call a national convention for proposing amendments upon the application of the legislatures of two-thirds of the states (34 states since 1959). However, this option has never been exercised.
Once an amendment is proposed, it is sent to the states for ratification. The Archivist of the United States, who heads the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), is responsible for administering the ratification process. This involves receiving authenticated ratification documents from the states as they approve the proposed amendment.
To become part of the Constitution, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 out of 50 states). This can be achieved through approval by the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or via state ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states. The latter method has only been used once, for the ratification of the Twenty-first Amendment in 1933, which repealed the Eighteenth Amendment (ratified in 1919) and ended the prohibition of alcohol.
Congress has, on several occasions, stipulated a deadline for ratification, requiring an amendment to be ratified by the necessary number of states within seven years of its submission to them. This authority was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1939 in Coleman v. Miller. Once an amendment is ratified, the Archivist issues a certificate, and a formal proclamation is drafted, declaring that the amendment has become an operative part of the Constitution.
Abortion: A Constitutional Amendment?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Amendments must be ratified by three-fourths of states
The US Constitution, beginning with the words "We the People", has been amended 27 times since it was ratified in 1789. Amendments can be proposed by 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, for an amendment to become part of the Constitution, it must be ratified by three-fourths of the states (38 states since 1959). This can be done through the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or state ratifying conventions in three-fourths of the states.
Since 1789, approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress. Members of the House and Senate typically propose around 200 amendments during each two-year term of Congress. However, most of these proposals die in congressional committees, and only about 20 proposed amendments have received a vote by either the full House or Senate since 1999.
The process of amending the Constitution is governed by statutes enacted by Congress. When an amendment is sent to the states for ratification, the Archivist of the United States is responsible for administering the ratification process. Once an amendment is properly ratified, the archivist issues a certificate proclaiming that it has become an operative part of the Constitution. Congress has stipulated that an amendment must be ratified by the required number of states within seven years of its submission to the states. This authority was affirmed by the Supreme Court in 1939 in Coleman v. Miller.
The first 10 amendments to the Constitution, collectively known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously on December 15, 1791. The 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments are known as the Reconstruction Amendments. The Twenty-first Amendment, ratified in 1933, is the only amendment that explicitly repeals an earlier one, the Eighteenth Amendment, which established the prohibition of alcohol.
The 20th Amendment: A Historic Addition to the Constitution
You may want to see also
11,848 proposals to amend have been introduced
The process of amending the US Constitution is a complex and lengthy one. Since 1789, there have been approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution introduced in Congress. This averages out to around 200 proposals per two-year term of Congress. The high number of proposals is indicative of the desire to continually refine and improve the nation's governing document.
The US Constitution has a robust amendment process, which begins with a proposal. A proposal can be made by either Congress or a national convention. If it is made by Congress, a two-thirds majority in both the Senate and the House of Representatives is required. Alternatively, a national convention can be called by Congress upon the application of two-thirds of the state legislatures (34 since 1959). However, this option has never been utilised.
Once a proposal is made, it is sent to the states for ratification. Ratification is the process of securing approval from a supermajority of states, specifically three-fourths of the states (38 since 1959). This can be achieved through the legislatures of three-fourths of the states or via state ratifying conventions. The high threshold for ratification ensures that amendments have broad support across the country and are not imposed by a simple majority.
Out of the thousands of proposals introduced in Congress, only 33 amendments have been proposed by Congress and sent to the states for ratification. Of these, 27 have been successfully ratified and have become an official part of the Constitution. The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified simultaneously on December 15, 1791. The process of amending the Constitution is deliberately challenging, ensuring that any changes made to the nation's foundational document reflect the will of the people and are enduring.
Amending the Constitution: A Step-by-Step Guide
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
There are 27 amendments to the US Constitution.
Approximately 11,848 proposals to amend the Constitution have been introduced in Congress since 1789.
The first 10 amendments, known as the Bill of Rights, were ratified on December 15, 1791.
Six amendments have not been ratified by the required number of states. Four are still pending, one has failed by its own terms, and one has failed by the terms of the resolution proposing it.
An amendment may be proposed by 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. To become part of the Constitution, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the states.
