The American Constitution, the Bill of Rights, the most Important Amendments.

The B of R-Sept,1791

The 1^st 10 amendments of the US Constitution were described by Jefferson as ‘what the people r entitledto against avary Government on aerth’. They r:

1. freedom of press, speech & religioun;

2. the right to bear arms;

3. prohibition of quatering of troops;

4. protection against unlawful search & ‘seizure(конфискация);

5. the right of dew process of law;

6. the right of a fair & public trial;

7. the right of a trial by jury;

8. prohibition of cruel punishment;

9. protection of non-enumerated rights;

10. reservation(сох-е) of powers: powers not reserved for the Federal Government resisted the State.

Some of them r not relatevly unimportant (3 which prohibited the questering of soldiers in privite houses at peace time without the concept of the owners),but others (especially #5,6,7) continue to be of importance & significance. #2 is doubtful.

There’re 26 amendments altogether. Among the most important r:

· 13 in 1865 – abolished slavery;

· 15 in 1870 – forbade denile of the right to vote on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude;

· 19 in 1920 – established women’s safirage(избирательное право);

· 22 in 1951 – limited the presidential tenure(срок пребывания в должности) of office to 2 elected terms;

· 23 in1961 - gave the residents of Washington,D.C. the right to vote in presidential elections;

· 26 in 1970 0 lowered the voting age to 18.

BUT: 27 amendment on women’s equality (ERA – Equal Rights Amendment) hasn’t been adopted yet. 70 cents-women; while $1-men.

In the US Constitution there is no amendment on maintaining international peace (Italian, Chinese, etc have). Thus, the Americans feel free to interfere into other countries’ policy.

The B of R has been violated: Mc Cathy’s compaign in 1964 in NY, the law was adopted allowing the police to break the doors or smash windows to search a building. The rigths of the blacks r not equal.

12. The Legislative Power & Organs in the USA. The Senate & the House of Representatives.

The Legastlative Branch is called Congress (Wash,DC). Congress consists of 2 Chambers: Senate & the House of Representatives. Congress can pass laws over the President’s veto by a 2/3 majority.

The Senate.

All states r represented equally in the Senate. 2 Senators from each state, inderpendent from the territory & population (100 numbers). Each Senator is elected for a term of 6 years.the elections r held every 2 years & 1/3 of the senate is elected. A senator must be at least 30 years old, besides a citizen of the USA for at least 9 years. The Senate is presided over by the Vice-president. He doesn’t vote but he does cast a deciding vote (решающий голос) in the case of a tye (ровный счет). The Senate is the only body with the power to try all impeachment, accusation, etc.

Дата добавления: 2015-11-14