United States History Student Edition

Women activists protested to demand the right to vote, which was finally granted with the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920.

The Nineteenth Amendment extended voting rights to women. The Twenty-Fourth Amendment outlawed poll taxes, which were payments required from individuals in order to vote. The amendment gave more people the ability to vote. The Twenty-Sixth Amendment lowered the voting age to 18. Formal amendment is one way the Constitution has changed. The language of the Constitution has also been subject to different interpretations over the years. For example, over history, Congress has claimed for itself certain implied (ihm•PLYD) powers . These are powers that are suggested but not directly stated in the Constitution. The source of the implied powers is Article I, Section 8, of the Constitution. Here is found the “necessary and proper clause,” also known as the “elastic clause.” This clause directs Congress to “make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper” for carrying out its duties. Also, in Article I, Section 8, is the “commerce clause.” This gives Congress power to “regulate Commerce with foreign Nations, and among the several States.” Congress has used this clause to expand its powers into areas, such as the

regulation of television, that do not appear in the Constitution.

7 CHECK FOR UNDERSTANDING 1. Determining Meaning In what ways is the Constitution set up to adapt to changing times? 2. Identifying Cause and Effect Why do you think more constitutional amendments have not been ratified? LESSON ACTIVITIES 1. Argumentative Writing Should Congress have the power to interpret the Constitution? Write a paragraph in which you argue for or against the wide application of the implied powers. 2. Analyzing Information Team up with one or two other students and choose one of the types of power granted by the Constitution— enumerated powers, reserved powers, concurrent powers, or implied powers. Each group should work together to define and list as many examples of its chosen power as possible. Think of current events that demonstrate the various types of powers. Then present your findings to the class.

implied power power not enumerated in the Constitution but suggested in its language

Library of Congress

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