How and when American constitution was adopted. What caused the necessity of the bill of rights?

Describe how & when the American Constitution was adopted. What caused the necessity of the “Bill of Rights”? Explain what is meant by a “strict division or separation of powers” under the Constitution, outline the structure of the American Constitution

The US, having won its independence, began to develop rapidly. The population was almost rural. Political changes aimed at consolidating of central gov-t. The country was governed by Articles of Confederation acc. to which Congress could not make laws or raise taxes. There was no permanent executive or federal judiciary. To this purpose, in May 1787, 55 representatives of 13 states met in Philadelphia. For 4 months they argued. It was clear the Articles of Confederation (1777) could not be rewritten, new form of government was needed. Main disputes: large and small states; north and south; power to voters or limit their power. The delegates, headed by G.Wash., Benj.Franklin, James Madison drafted a new Constitution, which established a strong federal gov-t, gave executive power to an elected president and provided for a Supreme Court. Also it established the principle of checks and balances. The Constitution was ratified in 1789.

1789 - G.Washington was chosen president (2 terms); he organized a national gov-t, developed politics for settlement, stabilized the admission of 3 new states: VT, Kentucky, Tennessee.

Constitution: first in the world 1787, adopted at Constitutional Congress, 55 delegates: founding fathers of Const: Washington (1^st president), James Madison (4th), Alexander Hamilton;

A major conflict took place b-n the Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton & the Democratic Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson. It concerned the power of the central gov-t. The F-ts favored a strong central gov-t & expressed the interests of the rich & prosperous classes. D Rep-ns defended the rights of the individual states & appealed to the small farmers. Many Americans feared that a powerful central gov-t would violate the basic liberties of the American people & therefore in 1791, the Congress added the first 10 amendments to the Constitution - the Bill of rights - which guaranteed freedom of speech, the right of citizens to bear arms, protection against illegal house searches, the right to a fairy trial by jury & protection against cruel & unusual punishments. Today 27 amendments.

Under the Constitution power was divided among the 3 brunches of the national government: legislative (the Congress), executive (the President) & judicial (the Supreme Court). Each was given its own authority to prevent abuse of power. These three brunches watch over each other. That way no single brunch becomes too powerful.

The structure: 12 pages - the Preamble (necessity of Const), 7 Articles (legislative dept, executive dept, judicial dept, states & federal govern – responsibilities shared by govern and each state), ratification; Amendments 27 principles: federalism power, responsibility of decision, the system of checks & balances. Power shared in 3 branches, no one can interfere into the affair of the others, each branch control & balance functions of the others) and 27 Amendments (13’ amendm – abolish slavery – 1865; 15’ – “universal suffrage” (всеобщ избир право); 19 – women to vote (1920); 22 – term of presidency for 2 4-years term (exp. Roosevelt).

A “strict division & separation of powers”: No member of one branch – is a member of another; This system gives each brunch 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 President to be illegal if they are in conflict with Constitution.

How and when American constitution was adopted. What caused the necessity of the bill of rights?

The US, having won its independence, began to develop rapidly. The population was almost rural. Most people lived isolated, with poor books, schools. But the immigrants from the Old World came in great numbers. The government supported them. The Industrial revolution began to make progress. Massachusetts and Rhode Island: textile; Connecticut: tinware and clocks; New York, Pennsylvania: paper, glass, iron. The US was second in shipping after Britain. Political changes aimed at consolidating of central gov-t. The country was governed by Articles of Confederation acc. to which Congress could not make laws or raise taxes. There was no permanent executive or federal judiciary. To this purpose, in May 1787,a convention met in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. The delegates, headed by G.Wash., Benj.Franklin, James Madison drafted a new Constitution, which established a strong federal gov-t, gave executive power to an elected president and provided for a Supreme Court. Also it established the principle of checks and balances. The Constitution was ratified in 1789.30 Aprile,1789-G.Washington was unanimously chosen president. He served for 2 terms. He organized a national gov-t, developed politics for settlement, stabilized the admission of 3 new states: Vermont(1791),Kentucky(1792),Tennessee(1796)

Bill of rights!

A major conflict took place between the Federalists led by Alexander Hamilton and the Democratic Republicans led by Thomas Jefferson. It concerned the power of the central gov-t. The F-ts favored a strong central gov-t and expressed the interests of the rich and prosperous classes. D Rep-ns defended the rights of the individual states and appealed to the small farmers. Many Americans feared that a powerful central gov-t would violate the basic liberties of the American people and therefore in 1791,the Congress added the first 10 amendments to the Constitution-the Bill of rights, which guaranteed freedom of speech, the right of citizens to bear arms, protection against illegal house searches, the right to a fairy trial by jury and protection against cruel and unusual punishments. Today 27 amendments.1791-G.Wash.retired and was succeeded by John Adams, his vice president.

Date: 2015-12-11; view: 1405