How many amendments were approved by the states to become part of the U.S. Constitution in 1971?

The correct answer reflects the approval of the 26th Amendment in 1971, which granted 18-year-olds the right to vote. However, it's important to note that this amendment was the result of a series of proposals and was significant as it lowered the voting age from 21 to 18. The original query about how many amendments were approved in 1971 might cause some confusion, as it is frequently misunderstood regarding how many amendments were actually ratified throughout certain periods.

In reality, the U.S. Constitution has been amended 27 times since it was ratified, but the amendments passed before 1971 are what's often confused in this context. Therefore, while the total of amendments established at the behest of the Constitution could total to more than what was referenced for 1971 specifically, for clarity, the 1971 amendment in question is the 26th Amendment, making it crucial to understand the timeline of constitutional amendments properly.

The other options provided do not reflect the significant constitutional changes that occurred in that particular year, such as proposing a general number for amendments that did not take place at that time, thus reinforcing the need for specificity in understanding historical legislative context.