Research Guides
United States Federal Government Resources: Research Basics
Introduction
The U.S. Federal Government is a complex institution that can seem intimidating if you can't remember the basics from your high school civics class. There are several levels of government in the United States; this guide focuses solely on the U.S. Federal Government, or government at a national level. The Federal Government is made up of three branches: the Executive (or Presidential), the Legislative (or Congressional), and the Judicial (or Judiciary) branches. If you would like more information on each of the three branches, please visit the other pages in this guide:
The resources listed on the following pages are excellent places to start, especially if you are looking for: background information or an historical overview of the U.S. Federal Government, databases for finding books and articles about the U.S. Federal Government, or if you are looking for information on open government or declassified documents.
Top Websites About the Government
- U.S. Federal GovernmentA-Z Index of U.S. Government Departments and Agencies from USA.gov
- Our Government: The White HouseLearn how America's federal, state and local governments work to enact the will of the people, and how the President and administration collaborate with the Legislative and Judicial branches to govern the United States.
- Ben's Guide to U.S. Government (for kids!)Ben’s Guide provides information and activities specifically tailored for educators, parents, and students in K-12. These resources can help teach about our government and how it works.
Mike LoCascio [CC BY-SA 3.0], from Wikimedia Commons