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The U.S. Government

Of the people, for the people, by the people... is that still true today?

The world's first constitutional and democratic federal republic.

Early Days of a Nation

Labor Pains

The United States was born from a desire for freedom, independence, and individual rights. The cost of liberty was first paid for by the sacrifices of the Revolutionary War. The poorly-organized but motivated Army and militia defeated the most powerful, organized military of their time. This nation has continued thanks to those who stand guardian over the principles of our country - from military personnel to public servants to the ones who teach the next generations - and preservation of this nation is one of the main reasons this website exists.

Date of Birth

This nation was considered "born" on July 4, 1776, at Independence Hall in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with the signing of the Declaration of Independence. First recognized as a sovereign nation by another country on September 3, 1783.

Government Organization

Chief of State & Head of Government: President George W. Bush.

Cabinet: appointed by president with Senate approval.

Constitution: The current outline of government of the United States today was completed September 17, 1787, and ratified May 23, 1788.

US Gov, Version 1: Articles of Confederation:

Following the Revolutionary War, the American nation faced a challenge. They wanted a strong cohesive central government but also wanted to prevent any one person or small group from getting too powerful, which is why they fought for independence in the first place.

The original government of the United States of America was based on the Articles of Confederation. This was more like a league of friendship between the states. The government lacked centralization, and combined with post-war economic turmoil and a lack of cooperation between the States, a movement began to suggest reforms.

US Gov, Version 2: Constitution of the United States:

The Constitutional Convention of 1787 secretly worked on a new idea. A federal government run by three branches of government - executive, legislative and judicial. The addition of a Bill of Rights helped secure support for ratification of the Constitution.

The Inner Workings of Government

The government operates through powers listed in the Constitution, with three levels: federal, state and local. Each level has their own elections, as well as certain powers and restrictions. Laws made by individual states cannot conflict with the Constitution. Laws made on a federal level can, in fact, change the Constitution.

The federal government runs things on a national level. The three branches of government were designed to operate independently of the others.

Checks and Balances

Despite the "separation of powers," a process was built in to prevent concentration of power in any one branch and protect the rights and liberties of the citizens.

The President and Vice-President are at the top of the executive branch. The Supreme Court is the judicial branch. Congress, the legislative branch, is composed of both the Senate and House of Representatives. Federal powers are explicitly limited in the Constitution, but gradually more power has been given using the "necessary and proper" clause.

• Watching the President:
  • Congress can legislate to constrain the President's executive power (but this is rarely done) or it can impeach the President.
  • The Supreme Court can invalidate executive actions.
• Watching Congress:
  • The President can veto bills that are presented by Congress.
  • The Supreme Court can invalidate legislation.
• Watching the Supreme Court:
  • The President nominates individuals to serve as Court Justices.
  • Congress can impeach Federal court justices.

Government Crises

From the beginning of the nation, a dispute divided people. The major issues involved states' rights and expansion of slavery. The pot boiled over in 1861 after several southern states seceded from the Union to form the Confederate States of America. This led to the Civil War. After the war ended, the federal government was more powerful than state governments.

The Great Depression in the 1930's made the federal and state governments work closer together. States were unable to cope with the upheaval from the economic collapse. President Roosevelt's "New Deal" involved a system of cooperation between national, state and local governments on specific programs.

Symbols of the Government

Several images have become symbols of the American government over the course of its history. These include the American flag, bald eagle, the Great Seal, Uncle Sam, the Liberty Bell, and the Rose, which is the National Flower.