Text c The usa Constitution

The United States became a Federal State because, after the War of Independence, the 13 states then in existence were too weak individually to carry on the work of government. They joined to­gether and gave certain powers to the Federal Government. Each state preserved its own independence by reserving to itself certain well-defined powers (education, taxes and finance, internal communications, etc.). The powers which are usually given to a Federal Government are the ones dealing with national defence, foreign policy, the control of international trade, etc.

Under the Constitution, (adopted in 1787, ratified and came into force in 1789) power was further divided among the three branches of the national government: legislative (the Congress), executive (the President) and judicial (the Supreme Court). Each was given its own authority.

These three powers established a so-called system of checks and balances*. This system gives each branch the means to restrain* the other two. For example, the President has the power to veto acts passed by Congress, but the Congress may override* the veto by a two-thirds majority. But the Supreme Court has the power to declare Acts of Congress or the actions of a President unconstitutional if they are in conflict with the Constitution.

Under the Constitution, no member of one branch of government may be a member of either of the two others. The President of the United States is not and cannot be a member of Congress. Any member of Congress who wishes to become President of the United States must resign from that body before accepting the Presidency. At the same time the President may or may not be a member of the political party with a majority in Con­gress. No member of the Government with the excep­tion of the Vice-President (who presides over the Senate) may also be a member of Congress.

The Congress is empowered by the Constitution to remove government officials, including the President, from office, only by an impeachment process.

Each state has its own Constitution. The state Constitutions have a simi­lar structure with the Constitution of the United States. As a rule they include the preamble, the Bill of Rights, as well as provisions* dealing with local in­terests: the division of powers, elections, taxes, finance, and education, etc.

Notes:

system of checks and balances to restrain to override provisions

– система сдержек и противовесов – сдерживать – отменять, аннулировать – положения

Task 2. Complete the dialogue using hints in brackets.

A: May I ask you a few questions?

B: Sure. You are welcome.

A: As far as I know you have passed your exam in … successfully.

B: Yes, I have.

A: How many states were there when the USA became a Federal State after the War of Independence?

B: … the 13 states.

A: What powers did each state reserve to itself?

B: It … (education, taxes, … .)

A: What powers are usually given to a Federal Government?

B: They are the ones dealing with (…, foreign policy, …, etc.)

A: When was …?

B: … in 1787, ratified … in 1789.

A: What is the main mission of the so-called system of checks and balances?

B: … (to give each branch of the government the means to restrain the other two.)

A: May any member of one branch of government be a member of either of the two others?

B: No … .

A: By what process can the Congress remove government officials, including the President, from office?

B: … (only by an impeachment process).

A: Thanks a lot.

B: Anytime.

PRACTICE IN COMMUNICATION

Ex. 54 Match the two columns.

1. What a lucky chance! 2. How are your studies? 3. Any news? 4. How are you? How are you getting on? 5. Could / would you tell me … 6. Nothing of the kind! 7. Would you mind telling me … 8. What do you think of / about … 9. How do you find … 10. Yes, with pleasure. 11. Certainly. 12. In my opinion / To my mind … 13. I agree with you. 14. It goes without saying. 15. I see what you mean, but … 16. I’m afraid you are mistaken.

1. Пожалуйста, расскажите мне … 2. Не могли бы Вы рассказать мне … 3. Как поживаете? 4. С удовольствием. 5. Как учеба? 6. Конечно. 7. По-моему … 8. Что нового? 9. Как Вы оцениваете … 10. Какая счастливая встреча! 11. Что Вы думаете о … 12. Само собой разумеется. 13. Понимаю, что Вы имеете в виду, но … 14. Я согласен с тобой. 15. Ничего подобного! 16. Боюсь, что Вы ошибаетесь.

Ex. 55. Read and translate the dialogue. Explain the usage of the underlined words. Think grammatically.

A: Hallo, …!

B: Hi, …! How are you?

A: Fine, thanks. And what about you?

B: Not bad, could be worse. May I ask you a question?

A: Sure, you may.

B: Do you happen to know the material delivered last English lesson?

A: Yes, I do. Ask any question you like.

B: The US Constitution was adopted in 1787, wasn’t it?

A: You are quite right. Adopted in 1787, the Constitution was finally ratified and came into force on March 4, 1789.

B: As far as I know, the Constitution provided the election of a national leader, or a president.

A: Yes, in 1789 George Washington was unanimously elected the first President of the United States. The Constitution provided also that federal laws would be made only by a Congress. And it set up a national court system headed by a Supreme Court.

B: When and why did the United States become a Federal State?

A: The USA became federated after the War of Independence. The first

13 states were too weak individually to carry on the work of government, so they joined together as equals.

B: I know that as in many countries the US federal government is divided into three main branches.

A: Quite so. They are the legislative, the executive and the judicial branches.

B: May any member of one branch be a member of either of the two other branches?

A: Oh, no. For example, the US President is not and cannot be a member of Congress. Any member of Congress who wishes to become a President must resign from that body before accepting the Presidency.

B: And what about members of the US Government?

A: No member of the Government with the exception of the Vice-President who presides over the Senate may also be a member of Congress.

B: Could you tell me a bit more about political parties and their functions in the USA?

A: In the USA there is a system of two major political parties, and this two-party system has dominated the political life of the country.

B: As far as I remember the two major parties are the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

A: Exactly. And the chief functions of a party are to organize elections and, when in the minority, to keep a check on the party in office.

B: It’s very kind of you. Thanks a lot.

A: You are welcome.

Ex. 56. Make the dialogues complete.

1.

A: How many states are there …?

B: There are 50 … .

A: When was the US Constitution …?

B: … in 1787.

A: What branches is the federal government of the USA divided into?

B: … into three main branches: … .

A: What is the legislative …?

B: … the Congress.

A: The Congress is bicameral, isn’t it?

B: Yes, it contains two … .

A: And what does the executive …?

B: … includes the President, … .

A: What does …?

B: … the US Supreme Court and the system … .

A: How many Justices are there in …?

B: … nine Justices – … and eight Associate Justices.

2.

A: How many states did the USA begin as a nation of?

B: … as a nation of 13 states.

A: Who was the first …?

B: George … .

A: What Houses does the US Congress …?

B: … is composed of … .

A: What is the total number of …?

B: … 100 members and it is a fixed … .

A: And what is the total …?

B: … 435 … .

A: What does the number of the Representatives …?

B: … depends on the states’ population.

3.

A: Does each state have …?

B: Yes, … its own government and its own capital city.

A: How many members are there in … and in …?

B: … 435 in … and 100 members in … .

A: How is each Senator …?

B: … chosen by a majority of voters in the entire state.

A: How are the Representatives …?

B: … by state election.

A: What … is the President elected for?

B: … for four years of service and may be reelected for … .

A: And how are federal judges …?

B: … appoints them for life … but approval of the … .

Ex. 57. What would you say if you took part in the dialogues bellow?

1.

A: …?

B: The US federal government is composed of three main branches.

A: …?

B: The legislative, the executive and the judicial.

A: …?

B: Yes, each state has its own government and its own capital city.

A: …?

B: The legislative branch of the government is vested in the Congress.

A: …?

B: Its function is making laws and financing the operation of the government.

A: …?

B: The judicial branch of the US government consists of the Supreme Court of the United States and the system of federal courts.

A: …?

B: It has the responsibility of judging the constitutionality of acts of law.

2.

A: Who was the US capital named after?

B: … .

A: How many states were there when the Constitution was written in 1787?

B: … .

A: The Congress is bicameral, isn’t it?

B: … .

A: What person must a Representative be?

B: … .

A: What person must a Senator be?

B: … .

A: Who can be elected President?

B: … .

A: What is necessary after the Presidential appointment of federal judges?

B: … .

A: Thank you very much. But I must be going now.

B: See you soon.

A: So long! Bye!

LISTENING

Ex. 58. Listen to the text and do the tasks given below.

Task I. Make sure you know these words.

1. in this sense – в этом смысле

2. to draft – разрабатывать, делать черновик

3. Founding Fathers – Отцы-oснователи (группа политических деятелей времен Американской революции 1776, возглавивших борьбу против британской короны и сыгравших решающую роль в образовании США, стоявших у истоков государственных и политических институтов и традиций страны, в том числе деятели, подписавшие Конституцию 1787)

4. to propose – предлагать

5. to abolish slavery – отменить рабство

6. suffrage – избирательное право

7. amendment – поправка

Task II. Decide what the following stands for. Match the two

columns.

a) on May 25, 1787 b) 12 c) 55 d) in 1791 e) in 1865 f) in 1870 g) on March 4, 1789 h) 26

1. the adoption of the first 10 amendments 2. the abolishment/abolition of slavery 3. the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia 4. the ratification and enforcement of the Constitution 5. the number of the delegates creating the Constitution 6. the guarantee of the universal suffrage 7. the number of pages in the Constitution 8. the number of adopted amendments

Task III. Answer the following questions.

1. How may a constitution be defined as?

2. Whom did the 55 delegates include?

3. What was George Washington?

4. What did the Constitution set up?

5. Why were the American people dissatisfied with the adoption of the Constitution?

6. What was Congress forced to do?

7. What is called the "Bill of Rights"?

8. What civil liberties does the "Bill of Rights" include?

SUPPLEMENTARY READING