The new states did a great deal of experimentation within the bounds of the new republican ideals. Read about three very different takes on how a state should be organized governmentally.

For any legislative actions enacted upon a specific bill, the specific type of action is recorded in the History of Bills section of the Government Printing Office website. This information comes straight from the Congressional Record,...

Delve into the latest news of the House Armed Services Committee with this site. Hear more from the Chairman, Duncan Hunter, about the purpose of this committee. Read up on recent press releases, too.

Students can visualize how a bill becomes a law with this infographic that breaks the process down into 7 steps with pictures and explanations. [PDF]

Do you know who represents you in the federal, state and local government? Do you know how to get in touch with them? This web quest will guide you through a number of web resources that will give you information about your...

Find out what a law is and who makes them. Learn the step by step process of how laws are made on the national level.

This lesson will focus on how bills become laws. This interdisciplinary lesson combines social studies, language arts and reading skills and concepts. Students will research the topic through the Internet and other digital resources and...

Thailand is a constitutional monarchy , but the king has little power. Find out how the government works in this current article based on information from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the organization of the US Government into executive, legislative and judicial branches. Interactive actions and includes containers, fill in the blanks and matching.

Students will learn about the midterm election, its role as a referendum on the presidency, and how a shift in party control impacts the legislative and executive branches.

Official site of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the legislative branch of the state government of Pennsylvania. Find a mix of useful resources, including a state-legislator finder, a virtual tour of the capitol building, a guide to...

Official site from the State of Oregon provides information on state government, resources, economics, business, agencies, education, and general Oregon information.

Have you ever thought about being president? Executive Command gives you four years in office to accomplish your legislative and policy goals. You'll make a state-of-the-union address, work with your aides and cabinet, try your hand at...

Test your knowledge of U.S. geography and government with these games and printable activities. In one game, see if you can place all 50 states in their correct location. In the second game, see if you can recognize the powers of each...

Massive directory of the transcripts of all Senate and House committee and subcommittee hearings from the 105th Congress to the 109th Congress. Hearings are typcially open to the public and done for the purpose of attaining information...

Detailed facts and information provide a quick overview of how the US House of Representatives, a part of Congress, works.

Detailed facts and information on the United States Senate, a part of Congress that has the power to pass, amend and repeal bills that are made into the law of the land.

From the National Archives and Records Administration site, this lesson, focusing on a poster circulated in Philadelphia in 1839 to discourage the coming of the railroad, relates to the struggle to define the powers of the national and...

Supreme Court justices serve for life, unless they resign, die or are impeached and removed from office. The reason for their lifetime tenure is to enable them to make decisions free from any pressure by the executive or legislative...

The Research Department of the LOC provides the history of the founding of African American History Month. Documents from the Legislative and Executive Branches are hyperlinked.

A quick, organized look at the history and organizational structure of the three branches of Texas state government.

This excellent site from the University of Groningen provides a clear overview of the oversight function of Congress. Related American History links include text, essay, and biographical resources.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews the 3 main branches of government and its system of checks and balances. Web links and 3tudent assessment items are included.

[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart reviews important vocabulary regarding the three branches of the United States government.