The Constitution & History
Legislative Branch & Lawmaking
Executive Branch & Presidency
Judicial Branch & Courts
Federalism & States' Rights
100
to amend the Constitution, to ratify, to abolish slavery, to lay the foundations, to adapt to new conditions, to ordain and establish, to insure domestic tranquility, to go into effect, suffrage, constitutionally speaking
вносить поправки в Конституцию, ратифицировать, отменить рабство, заложить основы, адаптироваться к новым условиям, установить и утвердить, обеспечить внутреннее спокойствие, вступать в силу, избирательное право, с точки зрения конституции
100
to adjourn, to pass a bill, to break a tie vote, to declare war, to coin money, to raise money through taxes, power of the purse, to introduce legislation, to maintain an army and navy
отложить заседание, принять законопроект, разбить равное количество голосов, объявлять войну, чеканить монету, собирать деньги через налоги, контроль над финансами, вносить законопроект, содержать армию и флот
100
head of state, natural-born citizen, to hold office for life, ambassador, to declare unconstitutional, to carry out the laws, to be in accordance with the Constitution, to serve a term of office, to be elected
глава государства, гражданин по рождению, занимать должность пожизненно, посол, признать неконституционным, выполнять законы, соответствовать Конституции, исполнять срок полномочий, быть избранным
100
judicial review, precedent, to remand, to affirm, to reverse, to uphold, to hear a case, to appeal a decision, stare decisis, common law
судебный контроль, судебный прецедент, вернуть дело на новое рассмотрение, оставить решение в силе, отменить решение, поддержать решение, рассматривать дело, обжаловать решение, «стоять на решённом», общее право
100
federalism, governor, county, to track down criminals, to cross state borders, to break federal laws, to maintain order, chief executive, to be elected by popular vote, to manage government finance
федерализм, губернатор, округ, выслеживать преступников, пересекать границы штатов, нарушать федеральные законы, поддерживать общественный порядок, глава исполнительной власти, быть избранным всенародным голосованием, управлять государственными финансами
200
поправка, Билль о правах, свобода слова, свобода печати, свобода собраний, свобода вероисповедания, отцы-основатели, декларация независимости, верховный закон страны
amendment, Bill of Rights, freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of worship, Founding Fathers, Declaration of Independence, supreme law of the land
200
преодолеть вето, равное количество голосов, палата представителей, спикер, постоянный комитет, большинство в две трети, избиратели, верхняя палата, нижняя палата
to override a veto, tie vote, quorum, Senate, House of Representatives, Speaker, standing committee, two-thirds majority, constituents, upper house, lower house
200
коллегия выборщиков, вице-президент, гражданин по рождению, государственный секретарь, внешняя политика, переизбрание, посол, срок полномочий
Electoral College, Vice-President, natural-born citizen, Secretary of State, foreign policy, re-election, ambassador, term of office
200
суды штатов, судебный прецедент, суд, судья, истец, ответчик, прокурор, окружной суд, суд присяжных, юрисдикция,
state courts, precedent, court, judge, plaintiff, defendant, prosecutor, district court, jury trial, jurisdiction
200
штат, губернатор, округ, правительство, население, местное правительство, избиратели, разделение властей, система сдержек и противовесов
state, governor, county, government, population, local government, constituents, separation of powers, checks and balances
300
содействовать общему благосостоянию, глубоко укорениться, быть исключительно федеральной властью, изъятие имущества, правительство штата, законодательные собрания штатов, отвечать потребностям, действовать в рамках установленных правил, законодательный орган, аннулировать
to promote the general welfare, to be ingrained, to be solely a federal power, seizure of property, state government, state legislatures, to meet the needs, to operate within guidelines, legislature, to reduce to zero
300
прямо перечисленные полномочия, ограничения полномочий, ассигнования, налогообложение, брать на себя долги, учреждать почтовые отделения, выдавать патенты, выдавать авторские права, to remove from office, заключать договор
enumerated powers, limitations on powers, appropriations, taxation, to incur debts, to establish post offices, to issue patents, to issue copyrights, to remove from office, to make a treaty
300
отстранить от должности, обеспечивать исполнение закона, назначать судей, объявлять войну, республиканская форма правления, свергнуть правительство, государственная измена, импичмент, главнокомандующий, помиловать
to remove from office, to enforce the law, to appoint judges, to declare war, republican form of government, to overthrow the government, treason, impeachment, commander-in-chief, to pardon
300
Верховный суд, судья Верховного суда, апелляционный суд, выдвижение кандидатуры (судьи), пожизненное пребывание в должности, «стоять на решённом» (принцип следования прецеденту), общее право, Генеральный прокурор, обязательный прецедент, толковать закон, применять закон
the Supreme court, Justice (of the Supreme court), court of appeals, nomination, lifetime tenure, stare decisis, common law, Attorney General, binding precedent, to interpret the law, to apply the law
300
министерство финансов, министерство юстиции, генеральный прокурор, собирать налоги, брать на себя долги, отражать вторжения, подавлять восстания, федеральные окружные суды, федеральные апелляционные суды, прямая юрисдикция
Treasury Department, Department of Justice, Attorney General, to collect taxes, to incur debts, to repel invasions, to suppress rebellions, federal district courts, federal courts of appeal, direct jurisdiction
400
When was the Declaration of Independence adopted and what did it lay the foundations for? When and where was the Constitution adopted?
July 4, 1776. It laid the foundations for the Articles of Confederation (1781). The US Constitution was adopted and signed on September 17, 1787, in Philadelphia
400
How many Senators and Representatives are there? What are the requirements for each?
100 Senators (2 per state), at least 30 years old, US citizen for 9 years, resident of the state. 435 Representatives, at least 25 years old, US citizen for 7 years, resident of the state.
400
What are the requirements to be President? How long is the term? Can they be re-elected?
Must be at least 35 years old and a natural-born citizen. Four-year term. Can be re-elected for another term, but not longer than that.
400
What are the three main levels of the federal court system? How are federal judges appointed and how long do they serve?
District courts, courts of appeals, Supreme Court. Federal judges are nominated by the President and confirmed by the Senate. They serve for life.
400
What are the various levels of American government? How are state governments organized? How branches of power balance out each other?
Federal, state, county, and local. Each state has a governor as chief executive, with power divided among executive, legislative, and judicial branches
500
How can the Constitution be amended? What is the role of Congress and the states?
Under Article V, Congress can propose amendments, which go into effect when ratified by the legislatures of three-fourths of the several states.
500
How does a bill become law? What is the veto and how can it be overridden?
A bill must pass both houses in identical form before being sent to the President. The President can veto it. To overcome the veto, the bill must get a two-thirds majority in each chamber.
500
What are the functions of the President? What influence does the President have over the judiciary?
Gives a yearly speech to the nation, suggests laws to Congress, meets with foreign ambassadors and heads of state, ensures laws are carried out, makes treaties (with 2/3 Senate approval), leads armed forces, has a Cabinet, can pardon criminals, chooses many judges and government officials. Over judiciary: nominates judges (including Supreme Court justices), who must be confirmed by the Senate.
500
What is the power of judicial review? How many justices are on the Supreme Court? How are they appointed and how long do they serve?
Judicial review is the power to declare laws and actions of the government unconstitutional. Nine justices (one Chief Justice and eight associate justices). Nominated by the President, confirmed by the Senate, serve for life.
500
What affairs do state governments arrange? What does the federal government deal with? What are the enumerated powers of Congress?
State governments: maintaining order, educating children and young adults, building highways. Federal government: regional problems involving more than one state. Congress powers: coin money, incur debts, regulate commerce, establish post offices, issue patents and copyrights, provide for a militia, repel invasions, suppress rebellions. Limitations: criminal proceedings, taxation, appropriations.