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, including freedom of religion, freedom of speech and press, rights of assembly and free association, as well as the right to keep and carry arms. In federal criminal cases it 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. 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 designed to protect against the extremes since it makes compromise and consensus necessary.

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Julianna2006    3   04.06.2020 19:27    11