I. Read and translate the text.7. The USA Constitution and the Bill of Rights

I. Read and translate the text. 7. The USA Constitution and the Bill of Rights

Although the American system of government is based on Great Britain's, it differs in having a written constitution, which is the basis of all government and law. The constitution of the US was adopted after the War of Independence on the 17th of September 1787. It lists the set of rules, law regulations, which provide the practical norms, regulating the work of the government. The Constitution sets three separate branches of power and specifies their powers and duties. The Constitution has been repeatedly amended to meet the changing needs of the nation, but it is still the "supreme law of the land". The ultimate power under the Constitution belongs to "We the People", in fact and in spirit.

The document embodied the practical theories of man of property. The main principle underline the constitution was as follows: "Private property is the backbone of liberty". It was put forward by a rich plantation owner from Virginia James Madison, who is known to be a father of the constitution.

The constitution consists of Preamble and seven articles. 27 amendments have so far been added to its original text. The first 10 amendments known as “the Bill of Rights” were added in a group in 1791. These amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to all people of the states. Among these rights are the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government to correct wrongs. Other rights guarded the citizens against unreasonable searches, arrests, and seizures of property, and established a system of justice guaranteeing orderly legal procedures. This included the right of trial by jury that is being judged by one's fellow citizens. The 21st amendment limited the President's ruling by maximum two terms.

The great pride Americans have in their Constitution, their almost religious respect for it comes from the knowledge that these ideals, freedoms, and rights were not given to them by a small ruling class. Rather, they are seen as the natural "unalienable" rights of every American, which had been fought for and won. They cannot be taken away by any government, court, official, or law.

The federal and state governments formed under the Constitution, therefore, were designed to serve the people and to carry out their majority wishes. One thing they did not want their government to do is to rule them. Americans expect their government to serve them and tend to think of politicians and governmental officials as their servants. This attitude remains very strong among Americans today.

to amend – виправляти, вносити поправки,

ultimate – основний

in spirit - в думці (душі)

to embody – втілювати, здійснювати

to underline - підкреслювати

backbone – головна суть

Preamble – вступ, передмова

amendment - поправка

“the Bill of Rights” - "Білль о правах"

to establish – встановити

assembly – збори

seizure - захват, конфіскація

fellow citizen — співгромадянин

unalienable - невід'ємний

to serve – служити

II. Mark these statements T (true) or F (false) according to the text.

1. The American system of government is based on Great Britain's.

2. The American system of government differs from Great Britain's in having a written constitution, which is the basis of all government and law.

3. The constitution of the US was adopted after the War of Independence on the 4th of July 1787.

4. The ultimate power under the Constitution belongs to the president, in fact and in spirit.

5. The constitution was written by a rich plantation owner from Virginia James Madison, who is known to be a father of the constitution.

6. The constitution consists of Preamble and seventeen articles.

7. The first 10 amendments are known as "the Bill of Rights'.

8. The first 10 amendments establish the individual rights and freedoms to privileged people of the states.

9. Among the rights are the freedom of religion, speech, and the press, the right of peaceful assembly, and the right to petition the government to correct wrongs.

10. The 1st amendment limited the President's ruling by maximum two terms.

11. The rights of every American cannot be taken away by any government, court, official, or law.

12. The government expects Americans to serve it as its servants. This attitude remains very strong among Americans today.

III. Answer the questions

1. What is the difference between the American and Great Britain’s constitutions?

2. When was the constitution adopted?

3. What was the main principle underline the constitution?

4. What is the composition of the constitution?

5. What is “the Bill of Rights”?

6. What rights do the first 10 amendments establish?

7. What is the great pride of Americans?

8. What do Americans expect their government to do?

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