英美文化2.ppt

Major Articles of the Constitution 宪法主条款 The Constitution—the political document established America’s system of government and guaranteed the right of its citizens. It is the law of the land. Article One describes the powers of the Congress. It explains how to calculate the population for purposes of representation. And it says who can become Senators or Representatives and how long they can serve. Article Two describes the powers of the President. It explains who can be President. And it tells how he is to be elected. Article Three describes the power of the federal judiciary(联邦司法机构). The first three articles provide a system of “checks and balance”“制衡”制度. The purpose is to prevent any of the three branches of government—legislative, executive and judicial— from becoming too powerful. Amendments to the Constitution The U.S. Constitution drafted in 1787 and adopted in 1788 is the oldest written Constitution in effect. It consisted of a preamble(序言) and seven articles at first. Since that time, twenty-six amendments have been added. Of all the twenty-six amendments, the most cherished are the first ten, known as the Bill of Rights（人权修正案） (1791). These amendments give all Americans rights ①to believe in any religion;宗教信仰自由 ②to speak, write and publish as they like;演讲、写作、出版自由 ③to gather together peaceably and to petition the government;和平集会和向政府请愿权 ④to be secure in their homes without fear of unreasonable searches and seizure of persons and property;保证在自己家中不受无理搜查，人身和财产不受无理占有的安全权 ⑤to receive fair and just treatment in courts of law 在法律面前接受公平和正义审判的权利 Article Four explains the rights and duties of the states under the new central government. Article Five provides a system for amending the Constitution. Article Six describes the Constitution to be the highest law of the land. Article Seven simply says the Constitution will be established when nine states approve it.