The Constitution of the United States of America, Essay Example

In the past two centuries, the Constitution of the United States of America has had some amendments a total of 27 times. The changes in the constitution have been initiated by the changes in the society since the constitution was first written. Society has changed immensely since 1787 hence the changes have been made to ensure that the constitution meets the needs of the people. The citizens have become more self-aware and liberated as compared to the year 1787. Technology has also improved immensely with people interact freely with one another.

By the year 1787, black people did not have the freedom to move around freely. They were owned by the white people as slaves to work for them in e farms or at their homes. In fact, they were not considered as human beings but rather as a property where the owner could buy or sell as he or she wishes. They were mistreated and beaten to death whenever they made mistakes. They were also killed whenever their masters pleased. Their owners did not consider them as human beings who were capable of having feelings. As times started changing, they started demanding for equality and to be treated like other human beings. The 13^th amendment is 1865 banned slavery, and all the slaves were given the freedom to live as they wished.  This was followed by the 15^th amendment where all the citizens regardless of race had the right to vote. It was at this point that the first amendment of the bill of rights was formed where the Congress could not make any laws that discriminate against a race or religion.

The 19^th amendment was made in the year 1920. This gave all the citizens the right to vote regardless of the gender. Before this point, women were not allowed to vote. Only men could vote as they were considered the heads of the family. However, times have changed as women have become more educated and assertive. Roles of the women in the society today have moved from just the household to having important jobs in the government. Women were deemed to be as intelligent as men and given the same rights to choose their lawmakers.

In the year 1787, the president of the country could serve as many terms as he was elected. As a result, many presidents became too powerful in office and had the ability to do things as they wished. The 22^nd amendment was formed and ratified in 1951 to limit the time to two four-year terms in the president’s office. The first to start this tradition was George Washington as many citizens believed that Franklin Roosevelt had become too powerful owing to four terms in office.

Before 1971, only people above the age of 21 had the right to vote. However, as time passed, 18-year-olds were considered old enough to vote. This is because they could join the army and many people supported the amendment. This change was ratified in a record four months. Just as laws have been changed to suit the needs of the people and control the society some have been changed only to be cancelled later. For instance, the 18^th amendment that was made in 1919 only to be cancelled in 1933 and the 21^st amendment adopted. The 18^th amendment sought to illegalize the sale of alcohol. However, the people believed that the government had no right to infringe on their private lives and it was very hard to stop all people from drinking.

The society keeps changing all the time. As time goes, the government will be forced to make changes to the constitution to meet the needs of the changing and diverse population.