An article in Century Magazine (1894) points out that "we resemble Englishmen, especially in political methods, far more closely than we do any other nation." To Americans today, the U.S. government may seem very different from the government of Britain; however, one key factor in the American Revolution was the decision to retain much of the British form of government and British laws. Since then, each country has spent a great deal of ink trying to explain just how the American government works! This section brings you articles on the basic structure of the American government.

A Day in Congress, with Sketches of American Notables (Leisure Hour, 1860)

Constitutional Limitations (Harper's Monthly, 1873A)

The First Century of the Republic #12: The Experiment of the Union, with Its Preparations, by T.D. Woolsey (Harper's Monthly, 1875B)

(Read the complete series.)

Executive Officers of the US from 1789 to 1882 (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Secretaries of State, Treasury, War and Navy.

United States Internal Revenue Tax (Collier's Cyclopedia, 1882)

The Growth of the United States, by Francis Walker (Century Magazine, 1882B)

A look at the most recent census data for the US.

Judicial Oaths and Affirmations, by Benjamin P. Moore (Century Magazine, 1883A)

The Supreme Court of the United States, by E.V. Smalley (Century Magazine, 1883A)

This article looks at the judges of the Supreme Court in 1882.

The Congressional Balance Sheet (Century Magazine, 1887A)

An interesting look at government expenses.

The Framers and the Framing of the Constitution, by John Bach McMaster (Century Magazine, 1887B)

A Century of Constitutional Interpretations, by John Bach McMaster (Century Magazine, 1889A)

The Routine of the Republic, by Edmund Alton (St. Nicholas, 1889)

A lengthy series on American government.

Rules of the House of Representatives, by Thomas B. Reed (Century Magazine, 1889A)

The American Parliament (Cassell's Family Magazine, 1890)

Better known to Americans as the Senate and House of Representatives.

The Government of Cities in the United States, by Seth Low (Century Magazine, 1891B)

Democracy in America, by Francis Newton Thorpe (Atlantic Monthly, 1893)

The Attack on the Senate, by Charles Dudley Warner (Century Magazine, 1894B)

A look at some objections to the US Senate.

See also

• Government Offices & Agencies

• Politics & Politicking