Why is the constitution often called a Living Document?

Because it changes with the times -Article 5 Tells us How -There are two steps 1. The amendment has to be proposed -2/3 votes from both the senate and the house of rep. -2/3 of the states request a constitutional convention. (Unused) Failed Proposals: (12 year limit on Supreme Court Justices) (State Control of Oil Deposits) (DC Statehood) (Child Labor Law) 2. Then Ratified by the states -3/4ths of the states choose to ratify amendment -Congress can set time limit on amendment ratification (7 Years) Informal Legislative Changes Belief that the constitution is a living document Implied Powers: Through some of the more vague articles of the constitution -Congress and Tax laws -Expanding the Executive and Judicial Branches Impeachment: Treason, Bribery or other high Crimes and Misdemeanors. (( Nixon // Resigned )) Informal Presidential Changes Presidential Succession -John Tyler succeeded William Henry Harrison was made into an amendment 1967 -Vice President -> President Foreign Affairs Executive Agreement Does not need senate approval Domestic Affairs Present requests congress to pass specific laws Informal Judicial Changes Court Decisions Judicial Review Call a law or act unconstitutional 9 Supreme Court Justices Judicial Restraint - Courts should avoid social or political issues OR Judicial Activism Courts should apply the constitution to social and political issues

Changing court rulings 1896 Separate but Equal 1954 Outlawed Segregation 1st Amendment - Freedom of speech, religion, press and petition 2nd Amendment Right to bear arms 3rd Amendment Restrict the quartering of troops 4th Amendment Unreasonable searches and seizures 5th Amendment Life, Liberty, Property. Due process of law, double jeopardy (Cant be tried for the same crime twice), self-incrimination (You dont have to answer questions pertaining to yourself), and government seizure of property. 6th Amendment Speedy, public, and jury trial criminal cases 7th Amendment Jury trial in civil cases 8th Amendment Cruel and unusual punishment 9th Amendment - all rights not spelled out are retained by the people your basic or natural rights 10th Amendment powers not given to the nation or states belong to the people. 11th Amendment Exempts states from being sued by citizens of other states. (Cant sue out of your state) -Sovereign Immunity 12th Amendment New method of electing President and Vice President Electoral College votes separately for president and vice president After the Civil War 13th Amendment Abolished Slavery and Involuntary Servitude. (Save for community service) 14th Amendment Gave Citizenship to all people born or naturalized in the US. Obligation of the states to uphold the privileges of US citizens No state can deny equal protection of the laws to any person Cannot take rights away 15th Amendment The right to vote shall not be denied to any citizen on the basis of race, color or previous conditions of servitude. 16th Amendment Establishes federal income tax 17th Amendment Popular election of senators -This means that the states no longer elect the senators but rather the people elect their senators. 18th Amendment Prohibition of intoxicating liquors

19th Amendment Womens suffrage the right to vote 20th Amendment Changed the dates when a new President and Congress take office from March to January. (Lame Duck Period shortened) 21st Amendment Repeal of Prohibition (18th) 22nd Amendment Limited the President of the US to serve no more than two terms. 23rd Amendment Gives Washington D.C. three electoral votes during Presidential Elections. -Washingtons not a state, didnt have say in pres. Election until 1964. 24th Amendment The right to vote cannot be denied to any U.S. Citizen because the inability to pay a poll tax or any other taxes. 25th Amendment Clarifies the process of Presidential succession in the event that the Presidents dies or is unable to preform his duties: -VP becomes President -New President nominates a VP and has to be approves by both houses of Congress through majority vote. 26th Amendment Suffrage extended to 18, 19, and 20 year olds in all local, state, and federal elections. Lowered to 18 27th Amendment Senators and Reps. Cannot increase their pay during the current term. They can only increase pay for the people elected to the next term.