Intellectual Origins of the Constitution of the usa

The creation of U.S Constitution was a remarkable achievement by a young nation. However, only one of its four basic political principles was “made in America”. The other three were inspired by ideas that first grew on foreign soil.

. In this form of government, power resides in the people and is exercised by their elected representatives. Government is the common business of the citizens, conducted for the common good. This idea may be traced to the Greek philosopher Aristotle (384–322 B.C.), who advocated a “mixed” constitution that contained principles of democratic and oligarchic government.

. The power of government are shared by a central body and territorial units. Citizens in federal government are subject to two different bodies of law. It is a distinctly American idea, created by the Constitutional Convention of 1787.

. The responsibilities of government are divided among separate branches. This idea was formulated in a fragmentary way by John Locke. But its fullest exposition came from French philosopher Charles-Louis de Secondat Montesquieu (1689-1755).

. The branches of government control each other. This idea was first advanced by two Englishmen, the statesman Henry St. John Bolingbroke (1678-1751) and the jurist William Blackstone (1723-1780)

Speaking task B: discuss in what way the Ukrainian system of government differs from British and American systems. Complete the table and use it for references.

Branches of the national government	Ukraine	Great Britain	the USA
the legislative the executive the judicial

Exercise 12 Read and translate the text.

Text c national symbols of the usa

On June 14, 1777 the Congress of the United States confirmed the national Flag. The flag of the USA has several popular names: the “Stars and Stripes”, “Old Glory”, the “Star Spangled Banner”. It represents the growth of the nation. The flag has 13 horizontal stripes, 7 red and 6 white, which stand for the original 13 states. In the top left hand corner there are 50 white stars on a blue background: one star for each state. The last star was added when Hawaii joined the US in 1959. Every state has its own flag, its own emblem and its own anthem too. Americans enjoy their flag. The Stars and Stripes are on government offices and public schools, stand by the President’s desk. On the 4th of July, Independence Day, the Stars and Stripes can be seen everywhere – on the streets, on the houses and in the big parades.

The Statue of Liberty is the symbol of American democracy. It stands on Liberty Island in New York. It is one of the first things people see when they arrive in New York by sea. This National Monument was a present from France to the USA. France gave the statue to America in 1884 as a symbol of friendship. Liberty carries the torch of freedom – in her right hand. In her left hand she is holding a tablet with the inscription “July 4, 1776” – American Independence Day.