Ratification

Definition

Ratification is the formal approval process required for a proposed amendment or law to become officially valid and enforceable. This process often involves a vote by a designated legislative body or a convention, where the support of a majority is typically necessary to validate the change. The significance of ratification lies in its role as a democratic mechanism that ensures public consent and accountability in governance.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Equal Rights Amendment was first introduced in Congress in 1923 but required ratification by three-fourths of the state legislatures to become part of the Constitution.
2. Phyllis Schlafly led a significant opposition movement against the Equal Rights Amendment in the 1970s, arguing that it would undermine traditional family structures and women's rights.
3. The deadline for ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment was originally set for 1982, but it remains unratified as only 38 states have approved it, falling short of the necessary count.
4. Schlafly's campaign successfully mobilized grassroots opposition, emphasizing fears about women being drafted into military service and losing legal protections that favored them.
5. The ratification debate over the Equal Rights Amendment highlighted deep divisions within society about gender roles and the extent of women's rights during the feminist movement.

Review Questions

• How did Phyllis Schlafly's opposition to the Equal Rights Amendment influence public perception and discussions surrounding ratification?
  • Phyllis Schlafly's opposition played a pivotal role in shaping public perception around the Equal Rights Amendment by framing it as a threat to traditional family values and women's rights. Her grassroots organization, STOP ERA, rallied supporters by emphasizing potential negative consequences, such as military drafts for women and loss of gender-specific protections. This mobilization significantly shifted discussions about ratification, making it a contentious issue that polarized opinions on gender equality.
• What were some key arguments presented by supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment during the ratification process?
  • Supporters of the Equal Rights Amendment argued that it was essential for ensuring true equality between men and women under the law. They emphasized that without ratification, women would continue to face systemic discrimination in various aspects of life, including employment, education, and legal protections. Proponents highlighted how the amendment would strengthen existing civil rights legislation by providing a constitutional guarantee against sex-based discrimination.
• Evaluate the long-term implications of the failure to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment on contemporary gender equality efforts in the United States.
  • The failure to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment has had significant long-term implications for contemporary gender equality efforts in the United States. Without constitutional protection explicitly guaranteeing equal rights regardless of sex, many advocates argue that progress towards gender equality has been hindered, leading to ongoing disparities in pay, representation, and legal protections. The debate surrounding its ratification has also influenced modern feminist movements, as activists continue to seek ways to address these inequalities through legislation and social reforms, highlighting the continuing relevance of the issues initially raised during the ERA campaign.

Related terms

Equal Rights Amendment:

A proposed amendment to the U.S. Constitution designed to guarantee equal legal rights for all American citizens, regardless of sex.

Constitutional Convention: A gathering for the purpose of writing or revising a constitution, where proposals are debated and voted upon before ratification.

Legislative Approval: The process by which a proposed law is debated and must receive a majority vote from a legislative body to be enacted.