Which statement is the best explanation of why the Founders who wrote the Constitution made the amendment process a two-step process and required supermajorities to approve each step? A. to make amending the Constitution difficult B. to make amending the Constitution impossible C. to keep the president from being involved in the process D. to ensure that citizens voted directly on all proposed amendments

The Founding Fathers were the architects of the United States Constitution. They were a group of visionaries, including notable figures like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Madison. Their primary goal was to create a balanced and fair framework for governance. They placed great importance on principles like checks and balances, federalism, and the protection of individual liberties. To them, the Constitution was designed to stand the test of time, incorporating flexibility only through rigorous and thoughtful adjustments. By making amendments difficult to achieve, they ensured that any changes would require substantial contemplation, consensus, and support from both lawmakers and the states.

A supermajority is a requirement that exceeds a simple 50% plus one majority. In the context of the Constitutional amendment process, it takes a two-thirds majority in both the House of Representatives and the Senate to propose an amendment. Afterward, a three-fourths majority is required from the state legislatures or state conventions to ratify it. Supermajorities are crucial as they prevent major changes from happening too quickly or without sufficient debate. They ensure that amendments have broad, bipartisan support and reflect a collective agreement rather than the ambitions of a temporary majority.

The United States Constitution is the supreme law of the United States. Created in 1787 and ratified in 1788, it lays out the framework of the national government and the rights of citizens. It established three branches of government: the legislative, executive, and judicial, each with distinct powers to ensure a system of checks and balances. The Constitution also includes the Bill of Rights, the first ten amendments that guarantee essential freedoms like speech, press, and religion. The supreme law can only be altered through the formal amendment process, reflecting its founders’ intent to preserve its integrity while allowing for necessary changes.

Amendments are formal changes or additions to the Constitution. The amendment process was designed to be thorough and demanding to ensure only carefully considered modifications are made. This ensures the Constitution remains a stable and reliable foundation for law. Amendments are crucial for addressing contemporary issues and rights not originally covered. For example, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote, and the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. Each amendment reflects significant shifts in societal values and norms, ensuring the Constitution remains relevant to ever-evolving democratic principles.