Summary of the Article 5: Constitutional Amendments
Definition and Summary: Article 5 of the US Constitution states that constitutional amendments have to be passed by a two-thirds majority in both houses of the legislature (upper and lower houses of the senate). The amendment must then be ratified by three-fourths of states. and then by the states. Alternative procedures are also provided, but these are rarely used.

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Article 5 of the US Constitution - Constitutional Amendments
The meaning of the words in Article 5 of the US Constitution are as follows.

Article 5: Meaning of the Words of the Amendment

"The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution..."

Meaning: The Constitution can be changed

"...or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments..."

Meaning: When two thirds of both houses of Congress find it necessary to make an amendment to the Constitution (change or addition), they  will document the amendment and send a copy to each of the states. The states may call special conventions to discuss the amendment to the Constitution and vote on it.

"...which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States... "

Meaning: If three fourths of the states agree, then the amendment will become part of the Constitution.

Meaning: Another way to amend the Constitution is when two thirds of the states’ legislatures ask Congress to set up a convention for suggesting amendments. Any amendment made by the convention must then be approved by three fourths of all of the states.

"...Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article..."

Meaning: One exception to this that there may not be an amendment before 1808 to change Article I, Section 9, Clauses 1 and 4  of the Constitution.

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 1 relates to Congress not interfering with early laws relating to slavery.

Article 1, Section 9, Clause 4 relates to taxes in proportion to numbers of people in a state - it was changed by the 16th Amendment

"...and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.."

Meaning of the Words of the Fifth Article of the Constitution

Text of Article 5 of the US Constitution including amendments
The full text of the Article 5 of the US Constitution includes parts that have been amended or superseded the original wording.

Text of Article 5 of the US Constitution

Article 5 of the US Constitution Text

Article 5.

The Congress, whenever two thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose Amendments to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of two thirds of the several States, shall call a Convention for proposing Amendments, which, in either Case, shall be valid to all Intents and Purposes, as Part of this Constitution, when ratified by the Legislatures of three fourths of the several States, or by Conventions in three fourths thereof, as the one or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year One thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any Manner affect the first and fourth Clauses in the Ninth Section of the first Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal Suffrage in the Senate.

Article 5 of the US Constitution: Video of the Presidents
The article on the Article 5 of the US Constitution of the Constitution provides the text, definition and summary of the most important document in American history. The following video will give you an overview of the lives and the important political events of all of the Presidents of America.