The early goal of Portugal during the Age of Exploration was to look for a naval route going to India. The land routes were blocked by the Ottoman Empire which hindered the trade in the Far East. India was then considered the Portuguese state and it was founded six years after the Portuguese explorers found the route to India.
For the United States, it is not.
Article five of the United States Constitution.
"<span>The Congress, whenever </span>two thirds<span> of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose </span>Amendments<span> to this Constitution, or, on the Application of the Legislatures of </span>two thirds<span> 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</span>three fourths<span> of the several States, or by Conventions in </span>three fourths<span> thereof, as the </span>one<span> or the other Mode of Ratification may be proposed by the Congress; Provided that no Amendment which may be made prior to the Year </span>One thousand eight hundred and eight<span> shall in any Manner affect the </span>first<span> and </span>fourth<span> Clauses in the </span>Ninth<span> Section of the </span>first<span> Article; and that no State, without its Consent, shall be deprived of its equal </span>Suffrage<span> in the Senate."
This process has happened 26 times and once unconstitutionally (the 16th amendment) for a total of 27 amendments.
To pass a law, there must be a 51% vote in both houses of Congress, and an approval by the president. Or Congress may override the veto by a two-thirds vote. This has been done well over 40,000 times in 2011 alone.
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<span>These difficulties eventually resulted in the development of a transcontinental railroad. All the inventions and developments in the world are meant to make people's lives easier and comfortable, and this event is not an exception. In order to blur terrotorial boundaries the First Transcontinental Railroad was introduced to the US. It connected the eastern nad western parts of America.</span>
I believe there was a contest but I am not sure the answer to your first question.
