Amendment 13 Amendment Essay

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When the founding fathers wrote the Constitution, they were outlining a plan for the governing of the nation and recording the principles according to which they wanted America to function. These were the principles that had first united the American colonies to fight against Britain, and still remain central to American identity today. However, in more specific matters, the founding fathers knew that what was right for America during the first years of its existence would not always be right for it. They knew that America would change politically, economically, and socially, and even welcomed development. Therefore, they took several measures to ensure that the government would be able to adapt to the future needs of Americans. One of these …show more content…
One amendment can also nullify another amendment: for example, amendment 21 repealed amendment 18 (prohibition of alcohol). In order for a new amendment to be proposed, two-thirds of both the Senate and House of Representatives must agree on it. It can also be agreed on by a Constitutional Convention called for by two-thirds of state legislatures, but no amendment had been passed this way yet. It is then sent to the national archivist, who sends it to the Governors of each state to ratify. Finally, it is sent to the Office of the Federal Register. Amendments 13 - 15 responded to a change in America that was political, social, and economic. These amendments abolished slavery, gave former slaves citizenship, and gave suffrage to African-Americans. Amendment 13 was passed during the Civil War. After the war ended, it was ratified. A few years later, amendments 14 and 15 were passed and …show more content…
State courts can also decide whether or not an act of a certain state complies with that state’s constitution. Judicial review means that even after a law has been passed, it can still be deemed invalid and removed. It is even possible for the Supreme Court to reverse the decision made in a previous case and decide that the act is unconstitutional after all. For example, the decision in the case of Brown vs. Board of Education overturned the decision made in the Plessy vs. Ferguson case – that institutionalized racial segregation was

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