Books in Know Your Government series

The Republican Party traces its origins to the mid-19th century, when it came together as a coalition of political groups. It ascended rapidly with the presidency of Abraham Lincoln, then fell into bitter disputes between moderates and radicals over the question of slavery in the wake of the Civil War. After failing to capture the White House for a long stretch of the 20th century, the party reframed its message for a new generation. This led to the rise of Richard Nixon, Ronald Regan, and others who have helped carry the party forward to the present day. As today's Republican Party tries to balance a pro-business agenda with a populist message, this book gives you the tools you need to understand how the party arrived to this point and where it might go next. Learn about the party's key issues and policies, and the ways they have changed over time. Discover important figures in the party's timeline. Video links and photographs help you see the story unfold, and lists of further resources round out your knowledge.

Few public offices are as storied as the U.S. presidency. From its inception in the 18th century and the first president, George Washington, through the turbulence of the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln's masterful statesmanship, to twentieth-century leaders who steered America onto the world stage, the president is responsible for communicating the national mission. It is a job with great power that comes with many challenges. The president may be called upon to manage international crises, implement new policies, and forge alliances across the political spectrum. This book takes you inside the office of the presidency. Learn the ways the president's power is limited by the Constitution. Find out more about the history of the office and the evolution of rituals such as the inauguration. Take a tour of the Oval Office--the heart of the White House, where the president conducts business. Discover the requirements for becoming president and how presidential elections work. Key terms and educational videos will help improve your understanding of this highest office in the land.

Laws and regulations affect nearly every aspect of our daily lives: the food we buy, the homes and apartments we live in, the roads we drive on, and even the ways we use our smartphones. Yet for many Americans, the process of how laws are made remains a mystery--something that happens far off in Washington, D.C., behind closed doors and away from the public. This book helps clarify that process by taking you on the journey of a law from its introduction through its passage. Along the way you'll learn how Congress is organized, means of introducing new legislation, the importance of committees and subcommittees, and the strengths and limits of presidential power. Discover the ways the House of Representatives and Senate collaborate to review legislation and follow along with the practical day-to-day details of scheduling the legislative calendar. Illustrations, video links, and suggested research projects round out the journey. This book will give you the background you need to understand how a single idea can become the law of the land.

From its founding during the presidency of Andrew Jackson to the bitter divisions between northern and southern Democrats over the question of slavery and the party's failure to occupy the White House for over 20 years after the Civil War, the Democratic Party has had its share of ups and downs. Yet it has always regrouped, and with the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt to four consecutive presidential terms, it became a defining institution of 20th-century American life. This book guides you through the history of the Democratic Party, including the roots of the political party system in America and the role of now-defunct parties, such as the Federalists and the Whigs. Learn about key issues that have defined the Democratic Party throughout the years, especially protecting the interests of the working class. As the Democratic Party once again finds itself at a crossroads between progressive and moderate wings, this book will help you understand how it arrived at this historical moment and where it might go from here.