As the delegates drafted the new constitution at the Constitutional Convention, they recognized that a strong governing document would need the ability to change over time to meet the needs of a new generation. Therefore, Article V of the Constitution outlined formal procedures for amending (changing) the constitution. These procedures include proposing an amendment with two-thirds approval by congress or convention, followed by ratification in three-fourths of state legislatures.
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Topic
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Constitution Annotated- Article V
LOC Short Description
This website presents the U.S. Constitution broken down by articles and amendments, including a section on Article V.
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A Century of Lawmaking for a New Nation: U.S. Congressional Documents and Debates, 1774-1875
LOC Short Description
A collection of U.S. Congressional documents, including records of the Constitutional Convention and records related to Constitutional amendments.
LOC Title
Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774 to 1789
LOC Short Description
A collection of almost 300 documents related to the drafting and ratification of the Constitution.