The White House
The White House: National Security & Defense
Read general information about the establishment of the National Security Council, current staff, and its function within the government.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: What Is a Law?
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.
Cato Institute
Cato Institute: Congress, the Courts, and the Constitution [Pdf]
An analysis of the conflicting views on the fundamental role of the government of the United States, specifically on the relationship between the different branches of the federal government, and what the Cato Institute regards as their...
US Mint
United States Mint: Branches of Power
Save the federal government from Oppressor Sam, and learn about the US Constitution to restore the three branches of government.
This Nation
This nation.com: Executive Order 13132 of August 4, 1999
This Executive Order signed by President Bill Clinton on 8/4/99 is an order that describes the balance between state and federal governments, as warranted by the Framers of the Constitution and federalism.
Center For Civic Education
Center for Civic Education: Relationship of State and National Legal Systems
This lengthy essay describes the balance between state and federal judiciary courts and touches on independence, integration, power limits and immunities.
US National Archives
National Archives: The Constitution in Action: Article Ii
This activity can be used during a unit on the U.S. Constitution. Young scholars will analyze the Senate Journal of the First Congress and identify how the document demonstrates content contained within Article II of the Constitution in...
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Egypt: Government
Read about the current state of affairs in the Egyptian government. You can find out about the strong executive branch, the political parties, and the background of the judicial branch. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Executive Branch
Find out who is involved in the Executive Branch of the Government, and what the duties of those positions are.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the United States (3 5)
Describes the job and duties of the President of the United States as head of the executive branch. Also discusses how the President is elected and the length of terms of office.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The President of the United States (9 12)
Summarizes the role of the President as the Head of the Executive Branch and the powers and duties assigned to him by the Constitution. Provides links to further information.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Us Government and Civics
An entire course on US government and civics - we don't seem to have any of it; many individual lessons to harvest. Should be cross-checked against embedded videos.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Mauritania: Government
This article on the government of Mauritania, based on information from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes, discusses the difficulties in running a nation which is divided by ethnic tensions.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Cameroon: Government
A brief look at the set-up of the government in Cameroon and a detailed discussion of the current state of affairs and the many current political problems in this country. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Cape Verde: Government
Find out about Cape Verde's stable democracy, the branches of government, political parties, and most recent elections. Information is from the U.S. State Dept. Background Notes.
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Judicial Branch (9 12)
Provides a brief overview of the judicial branch of the federal government. Discusses the origin of the judicial branch, the concept of judicial review, and functions of the judicial branch. Links to more information about the U.S....
US Navy
U.s. Military History and National Security
An internet guide to US military history and national security. Includes links to the history of the US armed forces and specific branches as well as information on the different federal organizations involved in national security.
Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility
Jefferson Lab: Reading Passages: The Three Branches of Government
Read and fill in the blanks of this passage explaining the three branches of government. Each blank has a drop-down menu with choices. When you finish, click CHECK MY ANSWERS. If you pick a wrong answer, the right answer will be...
Library of Congress
Loc: The Constitution: Counter Revolution or National Salvation
Using primary texts and prior study of Colonial America and the Revolution, students examine "what type of government would best represent the ideals of the American Revolution." Worksheets, discussions, and role-playing within this...
Travel Document Systems
Tds: Rwanda: Government
A brief account of the government of Rwanda and the problems it is addressing as a result of the 1994 genocide. Find a chart of the current governmental officials and a look at the set-up of the government. Information is from the U.S....
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: The House of Representatives
This great site offers information about qualifications and duties of the United States House of Representatives.
Digital History
Digital History: The Age of Constitution Writing [Pdf]
See how colonial and state constitutions differed and how the idea of a social contract between a government and its citizens is reflected in the state constitutions. The second half of this site gives an abbreviated text of the Articles...
US Government Publishing Office
Ben's Guide to u.s. Government: Judicial Branch
This site provides a simple explanation of the Judicial Branch with a hyperlinks to information on the Supreme Court.
Siteseen
Siteseen: Government and Constitution: Virginia Plan
Learn about the Virginia Plan that was based on a national and state government system with a separation of powers consisting of legislative, executive, and judicial branches. It also contained a resolution for proportional...