US Government Quick Study Guides

A handy adjunct to the more expansive Government 101 series, the new U.S. Government Study Guides provide a quick - one page each - summary of the structure and processes of U.S. government.

Background and Basics Study Guide
When the U.S. Constitution replaced the Articles of Confederation, the United States adopted a system of government called "federalism" that endures today.

The Legislative Branch Study Guide
As the first of the three branches of U.S. government created by the Constitution, the legislative branch is charged with creating laws that impact the lives of Americans in every state of the nation.

The Legislative Process
How bills become laws... or not.

Executive Branch Study Guide
The executive branch of the United States government consists of the president, the vice president and 15 Cabinet-level executive departments.

Judicial Branch Study Guide
While the Constitution provides only for the Supreme Court, the lower federal courts created by Congress are granted the sole power to interpret the law, determine the constitutionality of the law, and apply it to individual cases.

Government 101
Expanded coverage of these topics and more, including the concept and practice of federalism, the federal regulatory process and our nation's historic documents.