Problem: People Cannot Elect Senators
As originally written, the Constitution gives the power to elect senators to the state legislatures, not the people. Senators typically have more power than members of the House of Representatives. Senators have a limited number of seats in the Senate, longer terms, and more constitutional responsibilities than members of the House.
Problem: President and Vice President Not Chosen Separately
As originally written, members of the electoral college cast two votes for president. The person with the most votes became president and the person with the second-most votes was vice president. In the Election of 1800, Thomas Jefferson received 73 electoral votes, the same number as his vice presidential candidate, Aaron Burr. The election went to the House of Representatives to break the tie, where people tried to get Burr chosen president over Jefferson.
Problem: High Consumption of Alcohol in United States
During the 19th century, there was a perception that alcohol consumption was too great. People drank 3-4 times the amount of liquor per week that Americans do today. This led to many of the problems associated with alcohol abuse, including neglecting family and the abuse of women and children.
Problem: Organized Crime and Unfair Enforcement of 18th Amendment
Despite its illegality, millions of Americans still demanded alcohol. Notorious gangsters like Al Capone emerged to fill this demand, leading to the rise of mobs in the United States. Also, there was a perception that Prohibition was unfairly enforced. Poor people were more likely to be punished for possession of alcohol than rich people.
Problem: Who is a Citizen of the United States?
After the Civil War, the former Confederate states created special laws known as Black Codes that severely restricted the freedom of the newly freed slaves. They did this because there was no definition of who was a citizen of the United States and it was unclear if the freed slaves were actually full citizens of the United States or something different. The Southerners treated them as second-class residents.
Problem: President in Office for Too Long
George Washington declined to run for a third term of office in 1796. It quickly became understood that no person should have a third term and serve longer than Washington. However, in 1940, World War II had already erupted in Europe so changing leaders seemed unwise. Franklin Delano Roosevelt ran for and won a third term that year and was re-elected again in 1944. Despite FDR's skill at leading the country through war, looking back people thought Washington had it right; eight years in office was enough.