Ways the Constitution has been Altered

14th Amendment

By establishing the principles of equal protection and due process, it has been used to promote civil rights and eliminate discriminatory practices through cases like Brown v. Board of Education.

19th Amendment

Popular sovereignty, by granting women the right to vote.

21st Amendment

The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th, demonstrating the ability of constitutional amendments to void previous amendments.

Marbury v. Madison (1803)

It established the principle of judicial review, allowing the Supreme Court to declare laws unconstitutional.

Brown v. Board of Education (1954)

It interpreted the 14th Amendment's Equal Protection Clause to declare racial segregation in public schools unconstitutional.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

It expanded the interpretation of the Necessary and Proper Clause, affirming implied powers of Congress.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

By enforcing the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment to prohibit discrimination in public places and employment.

Voting Rights Act of 1965

It eliminated discriminatory voting practices, such as literacy tests, reinforcing the 15th Amendment's guarantee of voting rights.

Legislative oversight

Involves Congress monitoring the executive branch to ensure laws are implemented effectively, an informal practice not explicitly outlined in the Constitution.

Example of legislative oversight

Congressional investigations into executive actions, such as Watergate, highlight how legislative oversight enforces accountability.

Informal practice of legislative oversight

It is not specifically addressed in the Constitution but evolved as a necessary function to help draft new legislation and ensure executive accountability.

13th Amendment

Abolished slavery, fundamentally changing the principle of individual liberty by outlawing involuntary servitude.

Judicial review

It allows the judicial branch to check the legislative and executive branches by declaring laws or actions unconstitutional.

Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Congress' role

The Act expanded the application of the Equal Protection Clause by prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.