UNIT 5. CONSTITUTIONS OF THE USA AND THE UK

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2. What does the US Constitution consist of? 
3. How are the first 10 amendments to the US Constitution called? 
4. What rights and liberties are protected under the Bill of Rights? 
5. What kind of trial is guaranteed by the Bill of Rights? 
6. What are the key features of the US Constitution? 
7. What are the three branches of power according to the Constitution? 
8. Is there a strict separation of powers in the USA? 
9. Does any branch have more power than the others? 
10. What duties does every branch have regarding the other branches under the principle of checks and 
balances? 
The form of the US government is based on the Constitution of 1787 which was adopted after the War 
of Independence. The US Constitution consists of 7 articles and 27 amendments. The first 10 
amendments are called the Bill of Rights and were adopted in 1791 under popular pressure. 
The Bill of Rights is a series of limitations on the power of the United States federal 
government, protecting the natural rights and liberties, property including freedom of religion, freedom 
of speech, a free press, free assembly, and free association, as well as the right to keep and carry arms. 
In federal criminal cases, it requires indictment by a grand jury for any capital crime, guarantees a 
speedy, public trial with an impartial jury composed of members of the state in which the crime 
occurred.
A key feature of the US Constitution is federalism – the division of power between the national 
government and the states. Another major feature of the Constitution is the principle of the separation 
of powers within the national government. According to this principle the executive, legislative and 
judicial branches exercise powers that are largely separate and distinct. There is not a strict and 
complete separation of powers, the powers of the three branches overlap. Each branch has its own 
responsibilities, but no branch has more power than the other branches. There is the system of checks 
and balances. Under this principle each branch has certain duties to check the powers of the other 
branches. This system was meant to protect against the extremes since it makes compromise and 
consensus necessary. 
The legislative branch is called the Congress which consists of the Senate and the House of 
Representatives. It is the responsibility of the Congress to propose and pass laws. In the system of 
checks and balances, Congress can refuse to approve Presidential appointments and can override 
presidential veto. 
The executive branch consists of the President, the Vice President, the Cabinet and the 13 
Departments, and also the independent agencies. Its responsibility is to enforce laws. According to the 
principle of checks and balances, the President has the power of veto to reject the bill of the Congress.
He also appoints all Supreme Court Justices. 
The judicial branch consists of the Supreme Court, 11 Circuit Courts of Appeals and 94 District 
Courts. This branch explains and interprets laws and makes decisions in lawsuits. It has the power over 
the other two branches and according to the principle of checks and balances can declare their actions 
and laws unconstitutional in case they violate the principles of the Constitution. 

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