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...

This lesson plan will help students understand that the legislative process of enacting federal income tax laws involves formal procedures based on the Constitution and informal procedures that blend and balance various interests.

At this site, you can explore the role the Office of the Clerk plays in the United States House of Representatives. Learn about the legislative process and its effect on you.

An excellent article describing the Russian legislature (Congress of People's Deputies). Explains how and why this government instution was created. Also examines the various groups and factions which comprised this legislative body.

From the archives of the Library of Congress read the pamphlet that explained the Civil Rights Act of 1964 in plain language. Find out all the different issues the law addressed and what one could do if the law wasn't being followed. A...

A very interesting discussion of the potential problems that plagued the implementation of the Social Security Act. Read about the cases brought before the Supreme Court which gave Congress the constitutional ability to tax and spend for...

The official site of the United States Senate. Offers many resources for study of current and historical legislation. Also provides forms to contact your senator.

Interactive website in which students build a bill and journey through the process of how a bill becomes law. With links to significant material, glossary, and resources for teachers.

This extremely well-written article is a thorough description of the powers, responsibilities and inherent problems of the current congressional oversight system. It is easily read and well organized. (Oct. 24, 2004)

As part of this larger biography of Andrew Jackson is this discussion of his relationship to Congress. Included are his attempt to correct the corruption in the bureaucracy and the major legislative events of his presidency.

Read about the 14th Amendment and its impact on the lives of African Americans during Reconstruction and later.

The home page for the United States Senate with links to webcasts, schedules, hearings, legislation, and lots more.

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...

Explains how the Ku Klux Klan came into existence and how they terrorized African Americans as well as those who sympathized with them. The Klan would suppress the black vote so that Democrats had a better chance of winning an election...

Committees in Congress investigate, debate and report on legislation. There are five types of committees. The following reference gives a short description of each type of committee.

This article describes the loss of power and influence of President George W. Bush in setting political agenda as his approval rating drops and Democrats now control Congress.

This lesson introduces students to the legislative process and current bills before the House of Representatives. Discussion questions, critical thinking questions, and learning activities are provided. [PDF]

A lesson plan dealing with the fishing industry in New England and native and immigrant fishermen, and government legislation.

Providing photos, audio clips, primary texts, a timeline, and a glossary, this website is a good introduction to President Lyndon Johnson's efforts to reform education in the United States. Listen to (or read) Johnson's "Great Society...

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.

Take a look at a 1917 anti-suffrage petition submitted to Congress by the Anti-Suffrage Party of New York that this site provides from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).

A thorough look at the government and politics of San Marino with a discussion of the legislative body as well as the judiciary. From the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.

Library of Congress' database listing for the Line Item Veto Act (1996). Includes the mechanics of how it would work, the history of the Act, and its eventual striking down by Supreme Court's decision. Very brief.

The official place for information on the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs.