American constitution

    It is difficult to amend the Constitution of the United States. Of the 27 amendments passed, the first ten (the Bill of Rights) were passed as the Constitution was ratified. Three other amendments--the thirteenth, fourteenth, and fifteenth--address resolutions to end divisions after the Civil War. Two others cancel each other out (the 18th Amendment's prohibition against alcohol and the 21st Amendment's repeal of this prohibition). This demonstrates the difficulty with successfully amending the Constitution. Part 1 Go to a copy of the Constitution (in the appendix of your book or online at the Library of Congress). Scroll down to Article 5 where it describes how to amend the Constitution. Also look at the different amendments that have been passed. Is there an amendment that you would like to see passed? Describe the amendment you would like passed, and explain why you believe it is necessary. Do you think your amendment has a good chance of being ratified? Why or why not? Part 2 A popular amendment that has passed the U.S. House of Representatives numerous times over the years is an amendment to ban the burning of the American flag. The Supreme Court has ruled that burning the flag is a protected form of free speech. Read a history of the Court's ruling dedicated to Thomas Jefferson's ideals on the PBS website. It discusses the Supreme Court case U.S. v. Eichman and provides the Court's logic on why flag burning should be allowed. Would you support an amendment that outlawed flag burning? How would it read? What are its chances of passing?