U.S. Government Introduction | The Constitution | The Executive Branch The Legislative Branch | The Judicial Branch | State Government | Local Government Political Parties | Elections | The Nation's Capital | The Flag | The National Anthem The Great Seal | The Pledge of Allegiance

What kind of information materials are available?

Background • American Federalism, 1776 to 1997 CD • Council of State Governments • Federalism (ThisNation.com) • Federalism & Democracy CD • Federalism, State Sovereignty and the Constitution: Basis and Limits of Congressional Power (CRS Report) CD • Governing Magazine • Grading the States 2008 (PEW Center on the States) • National Conference of State Legislatures • National Governors Association • Outline of U.S. Government - A Country of Many Governments CD • Issues of Democracy: Reinventing American Federalism CD • State and Local Government: Adapting to Change (E-Journal) CD • State Capitals Newsletters • Stateline. org • U.S. State Abbreviations German • Daten & Fakten CD • Ein Land zahlreicher Regierungen CD Original Documents • The Constitution of the United States: 10th Amendment - Reserved Powers • Federalist No. 46: The Influence of the State and Federal Governments Compared • Full-Text State Statutes and Legislation on the Internet • State Statutes by Topic (Cornell University Law School) • Full Text Search to State Laws (StateLaw) • U.S. State Constitutions and Websites • U.S. State and Territorial Laws (LawGuru.com) • U.S. State Law • Yahoo! > United States > Guide to State Constitutions   The state governments follow  the same pattern as the federal government, with power divided among the executive, legislative and judicial branches. In general, matters which lie entirely within state borders are the concern of state governments. These include internal communications; regulations relating to property, industry, business and public utilities; the state criminal code; and working conditions within the state.  Within this context, the federal government requires that state governments not adopt laws which contradict or violate the Constitution or laws and treaties of the United States. There are many areas of overlap between state and federal jurisdictions.  The federal government has assumed ever broadening responsibility in matters relating to health, education, welfare, transportation, and housing and urban development. Programs in these areas are now often developed on a cooperative basis between the two levels of government. See also: About the USA > Travel & Geography > The States & Territories

Statistics • State & County Quick Facts (U.S. Census Bureau) • State Data Center Program (U.S. Census Bureau) • State Fact Sheets (U.S. Department of Agriculture) • Statistical Abstract 2006: State and Local Government Finances and Employment (U.S. Census Bureau) CD For High School Students • The 50 States (Teachers First) • America's Story from America's Library: Explore the States (Library of Congress) • Emblems and Symbols of the 50 States (Social Studies for Kids) • The 50 States, A - Z (World Almanac for Kids) • First.gov for Kids - State Websites • Ben's Guide to U.S. Government: National versus State Government  • Stately Knowledge (Internet Public Library)   Teacher Resources • The Logic of American Politics: Federalism (CQ Press) • The Federalist Debates: Balancing Power Between State and Federal Government (Edsitement) • Lesson Plans: Trust for Representative Democracy (National Conference of State Legislatures) • What Constitutes a State? (NYT Learning Network) Link Lists • Capitols on the Internet • Color Landform Atlas of the United States • Contacting State and Local Government Agencies • State Government and Politics • State Governments • Library of Congress: State Government Information • State and Local Government on the Net • State and Local Sourcebook - State Home Pages • USA.gov: State and Territorial Governments • U.S. Census Regional Offices • Yahoo > U.S. Government > State Government

Texts are abridged from U.S. State Department IIP publications and other U.S. government materials.

What kind of information materials are available? CD: These documents are available in fulltext format on the About the USA CD-ROM. Teachers: Request a copy for classroom use. L: Selected documents are available in German as well as other languages, including Arabic, Chinese, French, Spanish, Persian and Turkish.

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U.S. Diplomatic Mission to Germany /Public Affairs/ Information Resource Centers  Updated: February 2009