Civics Dynamic DBQ

Ana Ramirez
October 17, 2014
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Dynamic DBQ When was the last time the Constitution was changed? Many would think it was in
1992, why? The most recent amendment, the 27th, prohibits any law that increases or decreases the salary of members of Congress from taking effect until the start of the next set of terms of office for Representatives, was added in 1992. Although this method of change is included in the dynamic features of the Constitution, it isn’t the only way our constitution can be changed. How does the dynamic,a process or system characterized by constant change, nature of our Constitution help our government keep up with the changing times? Because of the flexibility of our constitution, we are able to change it on a day to day basis. The variation of how the Constitution can be changed include formal changes, interpretations, and traditions. Formal changes, also knows as amendments, an addition or alteration to legal document, is one way the government can adjust our constitution to the changing times.
Although this method is less common because of the long process, it doesn’t mean its not possible. In 1965, the war of Vietnam arose, and the second most recent amendment was added. According to document E, the war required soldiers to be drafted at the age of 18. At the time the voting age was 21, and the average soldier was 26, which meant they could vote for who was sending them out to danger. It was thought that as long as soldiers were drafted to the war at 18, it was only fair to let them vote. The 26th amendment is an example of how we keep up with the changing times with the use of formal changes.
Established in Article 2, section 2, of the Constitution, traditions, the transmission of customs from generation to generation, are also known as the unwritten laws for the
President. The tradition of the Cabinet dates back to the beginning of the Presidency itself. As claimed by Document A, George Washington, the very first President, started the Cabinet

Ana Ramirez
October 17, 2014
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Dynamic DBQ which held 6 positions as of September 1789. The dynamic nature of our Constitution allows the current and or future presidents to modify the roles to his needs. As of July 2013, 11 departments have been added to the Cabinet. As our country grows, the President has the power to establish departments in the Cabinet to assist him in any subject the President may require support for his duties.
“Legislation is powerless to eradicate racial instincts or to abolish distinctions based upon physical differences, and the attempt to do so can only result in accentuating the difficulties of the present situation." Interpretations are also a part of the dynamic features of our Constitutional. Interpretations are split into two, Judicial review and the Elastic Clause.
Judicial review allows the Judicial branch to "change" the law to adjust to the morals of the time. Because the Supreme Court cannot be fired, they have no influence towards their decision. The flexibility of our Constitution gives the opportunity for the interpertations of the
Supreme Court to change over the years. As an example, during the case of Plessy v.
Ferguson of 1896, the Supreme Court ruled having separated carts was constitutional as long as it was "seperare but equal," only because this case was a social issue and not political(Document B). However; 58 years later, the Supreme Court's conclusion had changed, not in the same case but in a very similar one. In 1954, Brown v. Board of Education made another impact to society. The Supreme Court decided "separate but equal" was unconstitutional and violated the 14th amendment. Just like in Plessy v. Ferguson, Brown pleaded the 14th amendment, but something had changed to change the interpretation of the
Supreme Court, time.
Article one, section 8, of the Constitution, holds one of the most flexible parts of our
Constition, the Elastic Clause. The Elastic Clause, also known as the Necessary and Proper
Clause, grants Congress to pass any law if it has to. One of the most debated topics today is

Ana Ramirez
October 17, 2014
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Dynamic DBQ terrorism. As part of the interpertations the Constitution gives, Congress was able to pass the
Patriot Act. The act mainly focuses on reinforcing identifying and disabling terrorist networks.
Based on Document F, in order to maintain the Patriot act, us, as the citizens have to pay for our safety with our freedom. Document F illustrates the Government meeting the changes occurring in society, by using the dynamic feature, interpretation.
Time change itself assisted to adapt our Constitution. The dynamic nature of our
Constitution helps our government keep up with changing times with the help of the dynamic features. Including the flexibility of interpretations, which include Judicial review and the
Elastic clause. Also traditions passed down from president to president assist the Government to adjust to times. Finally, formal changes help adjust to the conditions of today.