US Government

Learn about the structure of the US government, how the three branches and "check and balances" work, how laws are created and passed, how politicians get elected, and much more.

What is US Government?

The US government is composed of three branches: the legislative, executive, and judicial. The legislature makes the laws, the executive carries out the laws, and the judiciary interprets the laws. There are also two political parties in the United States, the Republicans and the Democrats.

The Constitution is the supreme law of the land and establishes the government. The Bill of Rights protects the rights of citizens. The three branches of government were designed to check and balance each other so that no one branch would become too powerful.

The United States is a federal republic, meaning that there is a central government with power over the entire country, but each state also has its own government. The states have a lot of power, and they can sometimes resist or ignore the federal government.

The United States has a capitalistic economy, meaning that businesses are privately owned and people can make a profit. The government does regulate business to some extent, but it is not involved in the day-to-day running of businesses.

There are many different levels of government in the United States, from local to federal. The federal government is made up of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, as well as the military and law enforcement. The states each have their own government, as well.

How to Learn US Government


US Government Resources

Magruder's American Government

Magruder's American Government

Trusted and authoritative, Magruder's American Government ©2013 sets the new standard through an engaging narrative, updated reading support, integrated Essential Questions, and cutting edge technology. Instruction and assessment are organized...

AGS Globe US Government

AGS Globe US Government

What could be more important than learning about government? United States citizens need to stay informed, know their rights, and be involved. It’s basic to a democratic system. The updated United States Government goes beyond planting the seed for c...

American Government 2nd Edition

American Government 2nd Edition

American Government 2e is designed to meet the scope and sequence requirements of the single-semester American Government course. This title includes innovative features designed to enhance student learning, including Insider Perspective features and...

United States Supreme Court building west facade

Oyez

Free multimedia Supreme Court archive with synchronised audio of oral arguments and case summaries.

Bill of Rights Institute civics and American history curriculum books

Bill of Rights Institute

Free primary-source civics and American history curriculum, lessons and full textbooks.

The National Constitution Center building in Philadelphia

Interactive Constitution

A free online U.S. Constitution where, for every clause, scholars from opposite sides first explain what they agree it means, then lay out where they disagree — modeling civil debate instead of a single interpretation.

DocsTeach primary-source activities from the U.S. National Archives

DocsTeach

A free tool from the U.S. National Archives that turns thousands of real primary sources — documents, photos, maps, and cartoons — into interactive history and civics activities you can use or build yourself.

U.S. Government and Politics Crash Course

U.S. Government and Politics Crash Course

In which Craig Benzine introduces a brand new Crash Course about U.S. Government and Politics! This course will provide you with an overview of how the government of the United States is supposed to function, and we'll get into how it actually...

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government

Ben's Guide to the U.S. Government, a service of the Government Publishing Office (GPO), is designed to inform students, parents, and educators about the Federal Government, which issues the publications and information products disseminated by the G...

Government (online)

Government (online)

Government covers the foundations of American government, political behavior, and the three branches of the federal government. Students will learn their rights and responsibilities as American citizens. The correlation between mass media, public opi...