Relates the story of the evolution of Congressional abilities to conduct investigations of governmental figures and agencies. Uses a series of famous investigations including Teapot Dome, the Pecora Wall Street Investigation, Senator Harry Truman's war-profiteering investigations, Senator Joseph McCarthy's anticommunist investigations, and…

Maintains that there were three forces operating in colonial American culture which led to the drafting of the Constitution. These were: English law and tradition, the lifestyle of the colonies, and the Enlightenment. Provides examples of how these forces were expressed in the events surrounding the birth of the United States Constitution. (JDH)

This historical dramatization, prepared for presentation at the 1985 Wyoming Chatauqua, contains three dialogues, set during the administration of President Thomas Jefferson and presenting the issues surrounding the drafting and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. The dialogues are designed to be presented in three segments to permit discussion…

Discusses the use of mathematics, specifically spreadsheets, to study apportionment in the U. S. House of Representatives. Topics include the interdisciplinary nature of the study, how population changes affect the distribution, different methods for apportioning representatives that have been used throughout history, and analyzing the data. (LRW)

Recounts the role of Congress in creating much of the New Deal legislation. Argues that the impetus for many pieces of legislation came from Congress, not from President Roosevelt. Suggests that the story of Roosevelt as mastermind was fostered by his assumption of greater executive power during World War II. (DSK)

Australia is an independent nation-state, federally constituted under a democratic parliamentary system. Being part of the Commonwealth of Nations, with feelings of loyalty to the Crown, Australia is also a democratic monarchy. Its political structure is discussed. (RM)

A detailed and descriptive narrative is presented about the U.S. flag's history, development, symbolic meaning, and overall importance. Information about the U.S. seal and how it identifies what the United States stands for as a nation is given. A motto is defined as a word or phrase that expresses one's principles, religious, moral, or patriotic…

The contributions that George Washington and James Madison made to the creation of the United States Constitution are discussed. As host of the Mount Vernon Conference and president of the Philadelphia Convention, Washington brought to the growing movement for a new constitution great dignity and political stature. Washington's stamp of approval…

The scope of the American Presidency and the office's powers can change from one Chief Executive to the next. The Chief Executive is the Head of State, has Executive Powers and Privileges, is the Chief Negotiator in Treaties, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and leader of his political party. This paper considers European and U.S.…

The Northwest Ordinance of 1787, which provided for government of the largely unsettled frontier area north of the Ohio River and for an orderly, three-stage transition of the territories from control by national government to full and equal statehood, joins the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution to form a trinity of…

Compares tribal government of the Upper Skagit tribe and St. Lawrence Island Eskimos. Summarizes tribal histories and describes current relationships with federal, state, and county governments. Reveals the complexities of tribal government functions and the dominant influence of federal policies on tribal affairs. Contains 10 references. (SV)

The United States Capitol building fashions an historical awe that includes images of the founding fathers, legislative branch, executive branch, and the American people. Even though it was built for elected officials to take care of governmental business, it serves to represent the democratic republic from which the United States was created.…

For the generation of Americans who witnessed and perhaps even fought against the Hitler regime, the consequences of his political manipulation had a significant and tangible impact on their lives. For younger generations it is necessary to work to understand how Hitler constructed his appeals to the German people. While a great deal of his…

The U.S. Constitution established the broad legal frame for the U.S. political order; the ordinances provided the indispensable means for the expansion of that order across the continent. The first effort at organizing the northwest occurred in 1784. Written by Thomas Jefferson, the Ordinance of 1784 defined the stages through which territories…

Examines factors contributing to Costa Rica's peaceful status in a region of violent political conflict. Describes the country's political and educational systems, stating that its democratic government allows the country to withstand many problems typical of the region and that its high level of education allows it to maintain the highest per…