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Chapter 1 Social Life (1)
01The Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation
During the Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress wrote the Articles of Confederation. These were meant to give the colonies some sense of a unified government. However, once the thirteen colonies became thirteen states, each one began to act alone in its own best interest. In order for these new states to act together, a new governing document was needed. In September 1786, delegates from Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Delaware met in Annapolis, Maryland. At the Annapolis Convention, these delegates discussed states' rights. Recognizing the need for a stronger central government, they recommended that a convention be held with the purpose of changing the Articles of Confederation.
The Constitutional Convention of May 1787 was held in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Delegates from 12 of the 13 states were present. The state of Rhode Island refused to send a delegate because it was afraid of losing its states' rights. For 4 months, the delegates worked behind the closed doors of the statehouse to draft a new document, which would be known later as the Constitution.
Vocabulary
continental ["k?nti"nent? l] adj. Continental, Continental, Continental Europe
Colony ["k? l? ni] n. Colony, settlement, similar people living together, (animal and plant) groups, clusters

document ["d? kjum? nt] n. official documents, documents, documents;
vt. to prove, record, record

convention [k? n"ven??n] n. (convened by persons of a certain profession, political party, etc.) meeting, custom, agreement

Practice
Circle the letter of the correct answer for each question.
1. When did the Continental Congress write the Articles of Confederation?

a. before the Declaration of Independenceb. after the Revolutionary War
c. during the Revolutionary Ward. after the Constitution
2. Which state refused to send a delegate to the Constitutional Convention?

a. New Yorkb． Rhode Island
c. Maryland. Georgia
3. City in which the Constitutional Convention was held?

a. Rhode Island b． Philadelphia
c. Annapolisd． Maryland
4. Which was NOT a concern of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention?

a. to discuss states' rights
b. to create a stronger central government
c. to create a weaker central government
d. to save the Articles of Confederation
Translation
During the American Revolutionary War, the Continental Congress drafted the Articles of Confederation.These regulations gave the people of the colonies a certain idea of ​​a unified government.Nevertheless, once the 13 colonies became 13 states, each state had its own interests in mind.To bring these states together, a fresh government is needed.In September 1786, delegates from Maryland, New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Delaware gathered in Annapolis, Maryland.At the Annapolis meeting, delegates discussed the rights of individual states.Agreement was reached on the establishment of a strong central government, and they also proposed amendments to the Articles of Confederation at this meeting.

In May 1787, at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 5 delegates from 13 states attended, and Rhode Island refused to attend for fear of losing its state rights.Within four months, in the state legislature, the delegates secretly drafted a new document that would become known as the Constitution.

Exercise
Put a tick in front of the correct answer.

1.When did the Continental Congress draft the Articles of Confederation?

a.Before the Declaration of Independence b.after the revolutionary war
c.During the Revolutionary War d.after the constitution
2.Which state refused to participate in the Constitutional Convention?

a.New Yorkb.Rhode Island c.Marylandd.Georgia

3.In which state was the Constitutional Convention held?
a.Rhode Islandb.Philadelphiac.Annapolis d.maryland
4.Which of the following was not of concern to the delegates at the Constitutional Convention?
a.Discuss the rights of each state b.create a strong central government

c.Create an incompetent central government d.Keep the Articles of Confederation

1. c2. b3. b 4． c
02The Three Branches of Government The three branches of the government

Delegates to the Constitutional Convention first designated which powers would be given to the federal government. They needed to decide how these powers would be divided, since they did not want them to all be controlled by one man or group alone. The delegates feared that if Any small group was given too much power, the United States would once again be under the rule of another tyrant.
To avoid the threat of tyranny, the group divided the new government into three parts, or branches: the executive branch, the legal branch and the judicial branch.
Legislative Branch: Headed by Congress, which consists of the House of Representatives and the Senate. The main task of these two bodies is to make the laws by which our government operates. Its powers include passing laws, originating spending bills (House), impeaching officials (Senate) and approving treaties (Senate).
Executive Branch: Headed by the president. The president carries out federal laws and recommends new ones, directs national defense and foreign policy, and performs ceremonial duties. Powers include administering government, commanding the Armed Forces, dealing with international powers chief law acting enforcement office and vetoing laws.
Judicial Branch: Headed by the Supreme Court. Its powers Include interpreting the Constitution, reviewing laws and deciding cases involving states' rights.
Vocabulary
delegate ["deliɡit] n. representative, delegation member;

["deliɡeit] vt. Appoint or appoint... as a representative, entrust

Tyrant ["tai? r? nt] n. autocratic ruler, tyrant

executive [iɡ"zekjutiv] n. supervisor, senior executive, administrative department;
adj. executive, administrative
Legislative ["led? isl? tiv] adj. Legislative

judicial [d? u: "di?? l] adj. judicial, court, decisive, just
originate[? "rid?ineit] vi. originated from, produced;
vt. to create, create, invent

Impeach [im"pi:t?] vt. Accusing (someone) of a crime, impeachment, objection

Treaty ["tri: ti] n. Treaty, agreement, negotiation

ceremonial["seri"m? unj? l] adj. Ceremonial, ritual
Enforcement [in"f?: sm? nt] n. Mandatory, implementation, execution

veto ["vi: t? u] n. Veto, denial, exercise of veto;

vt. veto, disagree
interpret [in"t?:prit] vt. explain, explain;
vt. & vi. Interpretation, translation

Practice
Match the power with the branch that is responsible for it.
1. Interprets the law
2. Performs ceremonial duties
3. Makes the laws
4. Settles states' disputes
5. Direct foreign policy
A． Executive Branch
B． Legislative Branch
C． Judicial Branch
Translation
The delegates to the first constitutional convention designated the functions of the federal government, and they needed to separate government functions because they didn't want the government to be controlled by just one person or group of people.Delegates feared that if any one team became too powerful, America would once again fall under the rule of yet another tyrant.

To avoid the threat of a tyrant, the delegates divided the new government into three parts or branches: executive, legislative, and judicial.

Legislation: Headed by Congress, consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate.The main task of these two chambers is to formulate the rules and regulations by which the government operates.Powers include making laws, approving spending requests (House), impeaching officials (Senate), and approving articles (Senate).

Administration: Headed by the President.The President enforces federal laws, issues new legal opinions, manages the Department of Defense, conducts foreign affairs, and represents the country in public.Powers include running the government, commanding the armed forces, directing foreign policy, monitoring the enforcement of laws, and having veto power over laws.

Judiciary: Headed by the Supreme Court.Powers include interpreting the Constitution, commenting on clauses of the law, and adjudicating cases involving the powers of the states.

Exercise
Match the functions of each department with the following powers.

1.interpret legal terms

2.Attend public events a.administrative

3.Make laws`B.legislation

4.Settle disputes between states C.judicial

5.guide foreign policy

1．C　2．A　3．B　4．C　5．A
03President Great presidents in history
(End of this chapter)