Understanding the Constitutional Amendment Process

The video tutorial explains the constitutional amendment process, highlighting its two main steps: proposal and approval. It discusses the challenges in passing amendments due to the need for a supermajority in Congress and approval by three-fourths of state legislatures. The video also provides historical context, noting that only 27 amendments have been passed since the Constitution's inception, emphasizing the founding fathers' intent to make the process difficult to ensure broad acceptance.

What are the two main steps in the constitutional amendment process?

• Introduction and signing

• Debate and approval

• Drafting and voting

• Proposal and ratification

How many proposed amendments were there in 1924, and how many were ratified?

• 30 proposed, 5 ratified

• 50 proposed, 10 ratified

• 96 proposed, none ratified

• 96 proposed, 1 ratified

What is required for a proposed amendment to progress to the next stage in Congress?

• A simple majority in both houses

• A supermajority in both houses

• A unanimous vote in the Senate

• Approval from the President

Which method of proposing amendments has never been successfully used?

• National Convention called by Congress

• Supermajority vote in Congress

• Presidential proposal

• State legislature proposal

How many states must approve an amendment for it to be ratified?

• 25 states

• 50 states

• 34 states

• 38 states

What is the alternative method for state approval of an amendment?

• State ratifying conventions

• Direct public vote

• Judicial review

• Presidential approval

Why is it difficult to achieve a supermajority in Congress?

• Frequent changes in party leadership

• Voting along political party lines

• Lack of interest in amendments

• High turnover of Congress members

How many amendments have been added to the Constitution since the Bill of Rights?

• 27 amendments

• 17 amendments

• 10 amendments

• 37 amendments

What was the intention of the founding fathers regarding the amendment process?

• To give more power to the President

• To allow frequent updates to the document

• To ensure changes are widely accepted

• To make it easy to change the Constitution

What is the main reason the Constitution has remained close to its original form?

• Complexity of the amendment process

• Frequent amendments

• Presidential veto power

• Lack of interest in changes