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65. What events preceded the War of Independence? How long did the war last?
Throughout the 1760s and 1770s, relations between Great Britain and thirteen of her North American colonies had become increasingly strained. 1770 – The Boston Massacre (Бостонское кровопролитие) – a confrontation between the group of British soldiers and colonists (5 people were killed). 1773- The Boston Tea Party.
Сconfrontation/battle broke out in 1775 at Lexington and Concord marking the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Although there was little initial sentiment for outright independence, the pamphlet Common Sense by Thomas Paine was able to promote the belief that total independence was the only possible route for the colonies.
66. What are the expressions that are synonymous to "the War of Independence"? The Revolutionary War, The American Revolution.
67. What agreement was signed when the War of Independence had been finished? 1783 The treaty of Paris – England officially recognized American Independence.
68. When was the US Constitution adopted?
Constitution of the United States, document embodying the fundamental principles upon which the American republic is conducted. Drawn up at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787, the Constitution was signed on Sept. 17, 1787, and ratified by the required number of states (nine) by June 21, 1788. “The federalist papers” (James Medison: private property is the backbone of liberty)– underline the constitution.
The constitution superseded the original charter of the United States in force since 1781 (see Articles of Confederation) and established the system of federal government that began to function in 1789. There are 7 articles and a preamble. 27 amendments have been adopted.
69. What parts does the US Constitution consist of?
-The preamble consists of a single sentence that introduces the document and its purpose: “We the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice, ensure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare, and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.”
-The remainder of the constitution consists of seven articles:
Article One describes Congress (the legislative branch) and outlines its powers and limits including the commerce clause.
Article Two describes the presidency.
Article Three describes the court system (the judicial branch), including the Supreme Court.
Article Four describes the relationship between the states and the federal government.
Article Five describes the process of amendment.
Article Six establishes the Constitution and the laws and treaties of the United States made in accordance with it as the supreme law of the land.
Article Seven describes the method of ratification.
-The Constitution has been amended 27 times since 1789, and it is likely to be further revised in the future. The most sweeping changes occurred within two years of its adoption. In that period, the first 10 amendments, known collectively as the Bill of Rights, were added. Congress approved these amendments as a block in September 1789, and 11 states had ratified them by the end of 1791.
70. What is the Bill of Rights?
Bill of Rights - a statement of fundamental rights and privileges (especially the first ten amendments to the United States Constitution-1791).
The amendments making up the Bill of Rights safeguard individual liberties. They are:
First Amendment – Freedom of speech, press, religion, peaceable assembly, and to petition the government.
Second Amendment – Right to keep and bear arms.
Third Amendment – Protection from quartering of troops.
Fourth Amendment – Protection from unreasonable search and seizure.
Fifth Amendment - Due process, double jeopardy, self-incrimination, private property.
Sixth Amendment – Trial by jury and other rights of the accused.
Seventh Amendment – Civil trial by jury.
Eighth Amendment – Prohibition of excessive bail, cruel punishment.
Ninth Amendment – Declares that other rights not listed may be protected.
Tenth Amendment – Grants residual power to the states and to the people.
Amendment – Congress cannot increase its members' pay until the next House election.
Now - 27 amendments.
Eleventh Amendment (1795): Clarifies judicial power over foreign nationals, and limits ability of citizens to sue states in federal courts and under federal law.
Twelfth Amendment (1804): Changes the method of presidential elections so that members of the electoral college cast separate ballots for president and vice-president.
Thirteenth Amendment (1865): Abolishes slavery and grants Congress power to enforce abolition.
Fourteenth Amendment (1868): Defines United States citizenship; prohibits states from abridging citizens' privileges and immunities and right to due process and the equal protection of the law; repeals the three-fifths compromise.
Fifteenth Amendment (1870): Prohibits the federal government and the states from using a citizen's race, color, or previous status as a slave as a qualification for voting.
Sixteenth Amendment (1913): Allows federal taxes on income.
Seventeenth Amendment (1913): Establishes direct election of senators.
Eighteenth Amendment (1919): Prohibited beverage alcohol consumption and manufacture. Repealed by the Twenty-First Amendment.
Nineteenth Amendment (1920): Prohibits the federal government and the states from using a citizen's sex as a qualification for voting.
Twentieth Amendment (1933): Changes details of Congressional and presidential terms and of presidential succession. Twenty-first Amendment (1933): Repeals Eighteenth Amendment but permits states to retain prohibition and ban the importation of alcohol.
Twenty-second Amendment (1951): Limits president to two terms.
Twenty-third Amendment (1961): Grants presidential electors to the District of Columbia.
Twenty-fourth Amendment (1964): Prohibits the federal government and the states from requiring the payment of a tax as a qualification for voting for federal officials.
Twenty-fifth Amendment (1967): Changes details of presidential succession, provides for temporary removal of president, and provides for replacement of the vice-president.
Twenty-sixth Amendment (1971): Prohibits the federal government and the states from using an age greater than 18 as a qualification to vote.
Twenty-seventh Amendment (1992): Limits congressional pay raises.
71. What does the term "the founding fathers" mean?
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