西方文明史复习资料.pdf

1.American Government Constitution The United States is a constitutional democracy, a type of government characterized by limitations (boundaries, restrictions) on government power spelled out in a written constitution. Written in 1787, the U.S. Constitution is both the oldest and shortest written constitution in the world. It serves as the supreme (highest, greatest) law (rule, regulation) of the United States. The Constitution ? The Constitution outlines a federal government with three separate branches: the legislative (lawmaking) branch (Congress), the executive (decision-making) branch (the presidency), and the judicial branch (the courts). Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution, which safeguard some specific rights of the American people and the states. ? Many states ratified (approved) the Constitution in 1788 and 1789 on the condition that Congress amend it to guarantee certain civil liberties. James Madison drafted these first ten amendments himself, which collectively became known as the Bill of Rights. The Bill of Rights protects some specific rights of both the American people and the states. The table on the next page summarizes the twenty-seven amendments to the Constitution Legislative Branch Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government and is responsible for creating laws. Congress consists of two chambers, an upper chamber called the Senate (100 members) and a lower chamber called the House of Representatives (435 members). HOR is fixed and proportionally distributed among the 50 states, each one representing the congressional district. Senate: 100 senators, 2 per state. Congress ? Congress has the sole (only) authority to make laws, levy taxes, declare war, and print money, among other powers. Congress a