There are many levels of government that protect American citizens. While the national government is responsible for protecting us from attack and similar things, state and local governments resolve local issues. Look inside to discover all the kinds of things state and local governments do for their citizens.
This study makes the United States government system - three branches with checks and balances - clear and understandable.
People use money to pay for the things they want and need. But what exactly is money? Where does it come from? Are checks and credit cards money? Read this book to find the answers to these questions and learn more about money.
Taxes are collected to support federal, state, and local governments. Who decides how much tax each citizen pays? What does tax money pay for? Read this book to find the answers to these questions and to learn more about taxes and why citizens are required to pay them.
Election Day is an important day when citizens choose a leader. But not every country has elections. Young readers will learn about democracy and its history, how a polling station works, and how votes are counted on election day.
On September 17, 1787, a handful of Americans signed a historic document that helped organize a structured government for the United States and recognized the rights of its citizens. This national holiday celebrates the most important document in the history of the United Statesits Constitution. This exciting book will educate children on a crucial turning point in American history.
June 14 commemorates the adoption of the United States flag in 1777, one year after federation. The day was established by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916 and is recognized through much of the United States as a state holiday. Massachusetts still celebrates with a large parade. Readers will learn the history of the adoption of the United States flag and the Army Birthday, also celebrated on this day.
Firefighters are important community workers. These busy men and women are called upon to put out fires and rescue people and animals. They are the heroes of today's world! Children will be thrilled to learn about the equipment firefighters use, putting on a firefighter uniform, fire safety in their homes and communities, the different rooms in a fire station, and the firefighter heroes of 9/11.
Firefighters, police officers, paramedics, doctors, and nurses are just a few of the community workers that help people in emergencies. Children will be amazed by these brave individuals many of whom risk their lives daily to save the lives of others. Children will learn about military services, the Red Cross, the coast guard, equipment used by emergency workers, and how to be prepared in an emergency.
With malice toward none; and charity for all. Those were the words of reconciliation that Abraham Lincoln preached as he tried to reunite a nation at the end of the American Civil War. However, a group of Republicans, Radical Republicans as they were called, had anything but reconciliation on their minds. After Lincoln died, they tried to punish the South for rebelling against the Union. Radical Republicans is a graphic history that explains the high and low points after the war.
This is a volume designed to inform children what taxes are and why they are needed. Emphasis is placed on how taxes provide the funds needed to keep governments running, from local to federal levels. Young readers will understand how taxes are used to dissuade people from buying some items, such as cigarettes and gas-guzzling vehicles. Attractive color images help de-mystify this fascinating and important aspect of government.
This fascinating title sets the world scene in the years before the start of World War I. Readers will get a snapshot of the political and social climates of the five great European powers: Britain, France, Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. Rapid industrial development and a movement toward solving differences through military action led countries to create alliances between them. The feeling in Europe was that war was inevitable, and Germany was the first to make the move. Find out how an assassination set off a chain of declarations of war, and how Germany put their war machine into motion with the Schlieffen Plana strategy that called for the invasion of neutral countries.
Abraham Lincoln. Robert E. Lee. Ulysses S. Grant. William Tecumseh Sherman. Jefferson Davis. Stonewall Jackson. These larger than life figures tower in history and their decisions and actions influenced the progress and outcome of the Civil War. This volume gives background on the politicians, generals, naval and militia commanders, and other prominent people who were involved in the Civil War, including African American leaders and women.
The Civil War was the costliest conflict in United States history, claiming more than 600,000 lives. It was also a transformative event that freed nearly 4 million slaves and changed the nation. This volume examines the aftermath of the Civil War, including the assassination of Lincoln, amnesty, constitutional amendments, Reconstruction, Compromise, Disenfranchisement, and the lasting legacy for all Americans.
This comprehensive title explores the outcomes of the American Revolution, including how the independent states formed governments based on the very principles for which they had fought. The book also examines the legacy of the American Revolution and how it influenced others against oppressive power or colonial systems in France, Latin America, and Asia.
The election of Abraham Lincoln in 1860 and the secession crisis that followed was not just the prelude to the Civil War, but the culmination of deep-rooted controversies and conflicts spanning many decades. This volume explores the chief causes for the Civil War. The economic, geographic, cultural, and social differences, between the northern and southern states are examined. Slavery, the Abolitionist movement, and events such as the Dred Scott decision are covered in detail.
This insightful book examines the political, social, and economic factors and events leading to arguably the most important event in the history of the United Statesthe American Revolution. Using clear, concise text and engaging images, the book examines events leading up to the American Revolution, including the French and Indian War, the Stamp Act, the Intolerable Acts, the Boston Massacre, and the Boston Tea Party. Primary source accounts represent different perspectives and shed light on social, political, and economical causes of the American Revolution.
This informative book looks at how early Islamic empires were governed. Fascinating topics explored include: the caliphs, or spiritual leaders; tolerance of other religions; non-Muslims paying taxes not to be in the Muslim army; sultans, palaces, and palace life; Sharia law; kings and queens in India; and the tribes and clans in Arabia and Kashmir.
The Civil Rights Movement was an organized protest by black Americans against their government and the refusal to obey unjust laws during the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. This important book details the evidence in the decades before the movement that led up to the protests: black Americans were denied the right to vote, work, and become citizens. Readers will learn how prejudice and circumstances at the time of an event can influence people's interpretation of evidence. They will discover how evidence from both sides of the Civil Rights struggle was used to change and create laws, and how, even today, our opinion of the Civil Rights Movement is still changing. Readers will learn how to use critical thinking in their own examinations of evidence. Present-day examples show how history repeats itself when evidence is denied or interpreted to one side's benefit.
This compelling book describes the characteristics of an oligarchy, a political system in which the government's power rests with a small but highly influential segment of a society. These groups are often distinguished by their family ties, wealth, social class, profession, or military might. Oligrachical governments throughout history are featured to show examples of how these groups attain and keep power, as well as how they govern.
This amazing book provides a snapshot of systems of government used by various ancient civilizations. Engaging illustrations, detailed timelines, and fascinating information bring back to life the ancient civilizations of Greece, Rome, Mesopotamia, Africa, China, and more. Read about what a Chinese dynasty was, the invention of the idea of democracy in Greece, the role of a samurai warrior in Japan, and Mesopotamia's eye-for-an-eye system of ancient justice.
This fascinating book describes the characteristics of a dictatorship, a political system in which an individual has absolute power to rule without the consent of citizens. Dictatorships throughout history are featured to show examples of how these individuals attained their positions, either by force or by inheritance, why laws and constitutions do not constrain a dictator's actions, and how every aspect of citizens' lives can be regulated under this system.
This intriguing book describes the characteristics of a monarchy, a political system in which political power (usually inherited) rests with a monarch-a king or queen. Today, only six nations around the world are termed absolute monarchies in which the monarch has complete power. Other nations that have monarchs as heads of state are called constitutional monarchies because the monarch's role is only ceremonial. Monarchies throughout history are featured to show examples of succession within a royal family, the extent of the monarch's governing power, and the monarch's ceremonial duties.
This interesting book describes the characteristics of a theocracy, a political system in which a deity, or god, is considered to be the supreme ruler of the state. Religion plays the central role in governing, and representatives who govern are considered to be divinely guided. Theocratic governments around the world are featured to show examples of the relationship between church and state, how representatives are selected, and how laws are determined and enforced.
Pivotal battles waged before, during, and after the War of 1812 are detailed in this fascinating book. Battles between the United States and the British and Canadians saw gains and losses of territory for both sides, all of which proved to be only temporary. For the Native Indians who fought on each side, the result was the loss of their land and autonomy. Famous battles highlighted include those at sea: the USS Constitution vs the Guerriere, the USS Lawrence in the Battle of Lake Erie, and the capture of the USS Chesapeake; and on landthe Battle of Tippecanoe before the war, the Battle of Queenston Heights, and the Battle of New Orleans which took place after the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed ending the war.
