Indonesia’s legal structure is based on the European civil-law system, an influence from Dutch colonialism. This is in contrast to common-law legal systems, such as in the US. The main difference is that in a common-law jurisprudence...

Unravel the complexities and understand the basics of the German government. Germany is a parliamentary democracy, with a constitution and a federal, bicameral assembly. Find out exactly what this means as you explore the country’s...

Since the Revolution of 1789, France has had five forms of republican government. The current republic, the Fifth Republic, began in 1958. Learn more about the evolution of the constitution and the impact on modern French society....

Although myth indicates that Japan was founded in 660 BCE by Emperor Jimmu, the first clear records concerning Japan are provided by the Chinese almost one thousand years later, in the third century CE. Since its beginnings, Japan has...

Indonesia, a member of the G20, has the sixteenth-largest economy in the world and the largest in Southeast Asia. The economy has been transformed since the country’s independence in 1945. Indonesia has a market capitalist economy with a...

Although Indonesia is predominantly Muslim, it is not officially an Islamic state. In fact, Indonesia is a secular democratic republic governed by a constitution and a body of laws and regulations. Learn more about the country's official...

Japan’s legal system is based mainly on the model of prewar German and Soviet legal theory. Thus, the system is grounded not in judicial precedent but in the laws of the constitution. Culturally, the Japanese aren’t very litigious; they...

Brazil's legal system might have its origins in Roman law, but it has unquestionably evolved over time. In fact, several constitutions have been introduced over the years. Learn more about this evolution, the most recent constitution,...

The American and French Revolutions change the power dynamics of the world. Part 2 of our educational timeline of History's Greatest Revolutions.

A video describing how the constitution of the United States was ratified.

A video about the limits placed on the United States Congress.

A video describing the goals of the United States constitution.

A video about how the Bill of Rights was added.

A video entitled "Powers of Government" that explains how Article I of the U.S. Constitution establishes the three branches of government.

A video entitled "The First Amendment" that discusses the rights that are protected under the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

Howcast - On July 4th, 1776, the Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence. Commemorate the birth of the United States by celebrating its history.

Howcast -To make sure that no ruling body has absolute power, the Constitution splits government into three branches. Understand both their independent duties as well as their interactions.

For the past 7 years, Trumbull High School's We The People: The Citizen and the Constitution Program, under the leadership of Social Studies Teacher Katie Boland, has won the We The People state championship...

Who was Patrick Henry, and why is he still remembered today? In this video, we explore the life and legacy of Patrick Henry—one of the most famous voices of the American Revolution. Best known for his powerful words, “Give me liberty, or...

In the summer of 1787, some of the greatest minds in American history gathered in Philadelphia to create a new framework for government. The Constitutional Convention was filled with fierce debates, high-stakes compromises, and visionary...

In 1759, George Washington married Martha Custis and focused on his life as a plantation owner and politician before becoming a key leader in the American Revolution. His military success and leadership led to his unanimous election as...

From the Albany Congress to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, this timeline explores the critical events that shaped the creation of the United States Constitution.

Published in 1776, Thomas Paine's 47-page pamphlet, "Common Sense", sold hundreds of thousands of copies across the colonies. By employing relatable language and Biblical references, it rallied many to the cause of American independence.

In 1892, Homer Plessy's arrest for sitting in a train car reserved for White passengers led to a Supreme Court decision that endorsed racial segregation under the "separate but equal" doctrine.