A nation founded upon rights and liberties, the United States grants Americans freedoms of expression that simply don’t exist in many parts of the world. With such privileges, Americans have the power to shape their government and, in turn, to determine how they are able to live their lives. Understanding how the government works, therefore, is important in order for students not only to succeed in school but also to grow into thoughtful participants in civic life.
American Government explains the nuanced structure and foundations of U.S. government and connects these concepts to current issues and questions about political processes, constitutional rights, and international relations. It identifies values the government has traditionally upheld and how the government of today continues to reflect those values, while simultaneously examining changes that the government has undergone since the nation’s founding.
Awards
2019 Best Social Studies Website—ComputED Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIES), April 8, 2019
2018 Best Online Educational Resource—ComputED Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIES), April 1, 2018
2018 Best Social Studies Website—ComputED Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIES), April 1, 2018
2018 Gold Award—Modern Library Awards, January 23, 2018
2017 CODiE Award Winner - Best Social Sciences Instructional Solution—SIIA, July 27, 2017
2013 CODiE Award Winner - Best Social Sciences Instructional Solution—SIIA, May 7, 2013
2012 Education Software Review Award (EDDiE)—ComputEd Gazette, September 23, 2012
2011 Best Social Studies Website—ComputED Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIES), April 11, 2011
2008 Award of Excellence—Tech and Learning, October 30, 2008
2008 Education Software Review Award (EDDIE)—ComputEd Gazette, October 6, 2008
2008 Best Social Studies Web Site—ComputED Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIES), April 25, 2008
2003 Curriculum Web Site Hall of Fame—District Administration, September 1, 2003
2003 Readers' Choice Award: K-12 Instructional Software—eSchool News, September 1, 2003
2002 Curriculum Web Site Awards, Premium Award—District Administration, February 20, 2002
Best Reference Source 2001—Library Journal, January 1, 2002
2001 Education Software Review Award (EDDIE)—ComputEd Gazette, July 1, 2001
2001 Best Web Site—ComputED Best Educational Software Awards (BESSIES), July 1, 2001
Districts' Choice Top 100 Award for 2001—Curriculum Administrator, June 1, 2001
2001 Distinguished Achievement Award —EdPress, May 20, 2001
2001 Awards Portfolio Winner—Media & Methods Magazine, May 1, 2001
Reviews
"[Presents] up-to-date information clearly and concisely for student use ... The site is well organized and easy to use, and I was impressed with how up-to-the-minute the news section was ... would be [a] valuable resource in middle school and high school social studies classrooms and libraries, as well as in public libraries."—KLIATT, January 1, 2001
"[American Government] is a comprehensive reference tool suitable for students from middle school to college. It offers an impressive, unique venue for students and teachers..."—School Library Journal, February 1, 2001
"ABC-CLIO has entered the online subscription market with ... very solid, well-planned, easy-to-use products that will appeal to students."—Booklist, April 15, 2001
"This site would be a boon to busy teachers who want to use current events to enrich their social studies courses. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice."—The Book Report, March 1, 2001
"This attractively designed 10,000-item database will help students learn about and become engaged in the political process ... Students will enjoy digging into the good content and strategically placed links."—Library Journal, April 15, 2002
"This already outstanding resource has been improved with a crisp, easy-to-use interface that few students should have difficulty mastering. Highly recommended for school and public libraries."—Booklist, April 15, 2008
"With over 12,000 primary and secondary sources . . . this resource examines the foundations and branches of government, civil liberties, policy, political behavior, and economic systems. Well-written topical essays consist of an overview, a visual representation, People & Organizations, Facts & Figures, a classroom activity, discussion questions, and primary sources. . . . this research tool is most effective when paired with ABC-CLIO's Issues database."—Library Journal, August 1, 2009
"ABC CLIO’s American Government database provides a thorough overview that students and researchers alike will find useful. . . . One of the many useful features of this database is that it carefully explores reality. . . . Overall, the American Government database is a helpful resource for students. This database is recommended for academic and high school libraries."—ARBA, November 11, 2016
"Since we purchased the ABC-CLIO Schools subscription websites, our library usage has grown tenfold. The library is packed these days! The depth and breadth of the websites is wonderful. Everything that students need—from country profiles to current images, maps, and documents—is in one place. And besides social studies teachers, foreign language teachers, and others use the websites too—some to plan curriculum. The library and social studies faculties are now working more closely together."—Joanne Hughes
Librarian/Technology Coordinator
Auburn Riverside High School
Auburn, WA
"After purchasing the websites, I participated in an online training session which was both convenient and informative! Now I quickly set up customized research lists for the students to direct them to discussion questions and review activities they can complete in the library. The students love all the visual primary sources, especially when they are making posters or brochures for class."—Terrie Crockwell
Library Media Technician
Etiwanda High School
Etiwanda, CA
"With the ABC-CLIO Schools subscription websites, students can locate information themselves with minimal instruction. The websites are accurate and reliable, and they guide students in building information literacy skills—examining different interpretations, choosing between resources, and synthesizing information. Teachers appreciate that the websites are current and aligned to standards."—Susan Leigh Burrell
Librarian/Media Specialist
Grace E. Metz Middle School
Manassas, VA
"Our history department has done away with most textbooks this year! With their wealth of primary sources, critical thinking activities, and daily news articles, the ABC-CLIO Schools websites help us guide our students in becoming social scientists."—Jim A. Masker
Social Studies Teacher, Cate School
Carpinteria, CA
"The Wayne School district has adopted a thematic curriculum for the teaching of World and US History. As a result of this curriculum shift, we have decided not to rely on a textbook as the primary instrument for instruction. In this age of digital technology, we have found that there are many wonderful digital resources that students and teachers can utilize to enrich the learning experience. One of the best is ABC-CLIO. We find their databases of information to be rich in primary source materials, their readings to be clear and concise, and their videos, graphs, and charts very engaging. Furthermore, the ABC-CLIO databases are easy to navigate for students and teachers. Searches are easily obtained including advance searches. ABC-CLIO even provides stimulating lessons and discussion points to further enhance the classroom experience. We are very happy with their product including their support services. I would recommend ABC-CLIO to any school district looking to move their curriculum into the 21st century."
—Carmine J. Picardo, Supervisor of Curriculum and Instruction, Wayne Public Schools
Foundations of American Government
• Principles of Government
• Origins of American Government
• The Constitution |
Judicial Branch
• The Federal Courts
• The Supreme Court in Action
| Domestic and Foreign Policy
• Domestic Policy
• Economic Policy
• Foreign Policy |
Legislative Branch
• Congress
• Congress in Action |
Rights and Liberties
• Civil Liberties
• Civil Rights |
Political and Economic Systems
• Comparative Political Systems
• Comparative Economic Systems |
Executive Branch
• The Presidency
• The Presidency in Action
|
Political Behavior
• Political Parties
• Public Opinion and Mass Media
• Interest Groups
• Elections and Voting |
State and Local Government
• Local Government
• State Government
|
ABC-CLIO Solutions School Editions
Offering effective technology for your library and created specifically for middle and high school students, ABC-CLIO Solutions Schools Edition provides authoritative coverage of essential topics in U.S. history and government, world history, geography, and a range of multicultural and popular culture subjects.
Each online ABC-CLIO Solution includes four innovative components:
A COMPREHENSIVE REFERENCE LIBRARY with content from more than 230,000 primary sources and entries encompassing audio, video, photographs, illustrations, maps, and rich media.
A STANDARDS-BASED CURRICULUM updated daily by a team of subject-specific editorial experts and supported by an extensive range of instructional material.
A DEEP COLLECTION OF MODEL COMMENTARIES from noted scholars that have been specially commissioned to foster critical thinking stimulated by exposure to varying points of view.
AN EDUCATOR SUPPORT CENTER containing valuable professional development tools as well as relevant resources such as discussion points, activities, lesson plans, and research lists.
