Lesson 73 of 84 · The Constitution
⭐ 30 XP🏛️ Civic SquareHow Amendments Are Added
The process of adding amendments to the United States Constitution is outlined primarily in Article V.
🎯 Your mission
Learn how the rule got made — and who it serves.
⚡ The twist
Laws change. Power changes who gets to change them.
Mind = Blown
🤯 Women in New Zealand could vote 27 years before women in the US.
Then & Now
🏛️ The rule you'll meet today is still on the books — sort of.
The process of adding amendments to the United States Constitution is outlined primarily in Article V. To propose an amendment, either two-thirds of both houses of Congress must agree, or a convention must be called by two-thirds of state legislatures. Following proposal, an amendment must be ratified by three-fourths of the state legislatures or by conventions in three-fourths of the states. This rigorous process ensures that amendments reflect a broad consensus across the nation, preserving the Constitution’s integrity while allowing for necessary changes over time.
Key Facts
Amendments can be proposed by Congress or a national convention.
Ratification requires approval from three-fourths of state legislatures.
Only 27 amendments have been ratified since the Constitution's inception.
Timeline
The U.S. enters World War II
World War II ends
Brown v. Board of Education: school segregation declared unconstitutional
Check Your Understanding
Question 1
1 of 2What is the minimum requirement for an amendment to be proposed in Congress?
Why this still matters
Your school has rules. Where do they come from? Who decides them?
Stretch Challenge
Try this in real life this week.
Make up a fair rule for your family. Pitch it.
For the dinner table
“What's one rule at our house you'd change if you could vote on it?”
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