History Logo
ShowsThis Day In HistoryScheduleTopicsStories
  • History Classics
  • Live TV
  • Your Profile
Your Profile
History
  • Find History on Facebook (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on Twitter (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on YouTube (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on Instagram (Opens in a new window)
  • Find History on TikTok (Opens in a new window)
Email Updates
  • Live TV
  • History Classics
  • Shows
  • This Day In History
  • Schedule
  • Topics
  • Stories
  • Videos
  • History Podcasts
  • History Vault
  • Shop
  • History Travel
  1. Home
  2. Topics
  3. U.S. Government and Politics

U.S. Government and Politics

The U.S. government, with its three branches of government and a system of checks and balances, is responsible for governing the 50 states and all districts and territories of the United States.

Topics

See All

Visitors leave the United States Capitol, the seat of the United States Congress and the legislative branch of the U.S. government, in Washington, D.C.

Featured

Three Branches of Government

Separation of Powers The Enlightenment philosopher Montesquieu coined the phrase “trias politica,” or separation of powers, in his influential 18th-century work “Spirit of the Laws.” His concept of a government divided into legislative, executive and judicial branches acting independently of each other inspired the framers of the U.S. Constitution, who vehemently opposed concentrating too much […]

Read moreRead more about Three Branches of Government
HISTORY: Populism

Populism in the United States: A Timeline

The Know Nothings • 1849-1860  One of the earliest populist political parties in America was the Know Nothings in 1849. Opposed to immigrants and Catholics, the Know Nothings used the beliefs of white Christian supremacy to seize political power over minority populations. The Know Nothings grew out of a Protestant secret society known as the Order […]

Read more
HISTORY: Checks and Balances

Checks and Balances

Separation of Powers The idea that a just and fair government must divide power between various branches did not originate at the Constitutional Convention, but has deep philosophical and historical roots. In his analysis of the government of Ancient Rome, the Greek statesman and historian Polybius identified it as a “mixed” regime with three branches: […]

Read more
Supporters march during a rally in support affirmative action policies outside the Supreme Court in Washington, D.C. on October 31, 2022.

Affirmative Action

Affirmative action programs attempt to address past discrimination by encouraging minority and women’s representation in college admissions and employment.

Read more

Stories

See All

A file labeled Top Secret.

Featured

How Are US Government Documents Classified?

Top Secret became an official government category in 1951. Here’s what qualifies documents as classified—and how they’re supposed to be handled.

Read moreRead more about How Are US Government Documents Classified?
Chief Justice Earl Warren, pictured in 1966.

How the Warren Court Expanded Civil Rights in America

As chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, Warren led a court that decided multiple historic rulings on civil rights cases.

Read more
Exterior of Supreme Court of the United States on First Street in Washington, D.C., with statue by James Earle Fraser titled Authority of Law.

8 Landmark Supreme Court Cases That Were Overturned

U.S. Supreme Court justices have generally deferred to precedent, but there have been notable exceptions.

Read more
Black Women Who Have Run For President, Carol Moseley Braun

Black Women Who Have Run for President

Since 1968, 11 Black women have entered the running for the highest office in the nation.

Read more

Videos

See All

0:56 secTV-PG
Play

Featured

Vet Dogs

Zac Baker learns about America’s Vet Dogs and their mission to support veterans returning to civilian life.

Watch nowWatch now video about Vet Dogs
TV-PG

The Rise of Populism

Populism is characterized by a political party member claiming to champion the interests of common people. However, delving into its roots requires revisiting the 19th century, when the term was first coined.

Watch now
1:03 minTV-PG

History Shorts: Skipping a Presidential Debate

Presidential debates are seen as a quadrennial tradition today, but history shows us they aren’t guaranteed to take place.

Watch now
1:35 minTV-PG

America 101: What are the Nastiest Campaigns in History?

Find out the history behind the nastiest campaigns in history.

Watch now

This Day in History

See All

1984

Jesse Jackson delivers “Rainbow Coalition” speech at DNC

U.S. Government and Politics
2008

Republican John McCain selects Sarah Palin as his running mate

U.S. Government and Politics
2009

Tea Party protest draws thousands to Washington, D.C.

U.S. Government and Politics
1959

George A. Kasem of California becomes first Arab American member of Congress

U.S. Government and Politics
1973

James Abourezk of South Dakota becomes first Arab American to serve in U.S. Senate

U.S. Government and Politics
2021

Kamala Harris becomes first female vice president

U.S. Government and Politics
A+E NetworksOur Family of Brands
  • History Education
  • History Vault
  • Mobile/Apps
  • News
  • Shop
  • Share Your Opinion
Follow History
  • d
  • e
  • p
  • m
  • +
  • Biography
  • Crime and Investigation
  • History en Espanol
  • LRW
  • Military History
  • Ad Choices
  • Advertise With Us
  • Accessibility Support
  • Copyright Policy
  • Corporate Information
  • Employment Opportunities
  • FAQ/Contact Us
  • Privacy Notice
  • Cookie Notice
  • Terms Of Use
  • TV Parental Guidelines
  • Contact Us
  • Copyright Policy
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Ad Choices
  • Accessibility Support

© 2023, A&E Television Networks, LLC. All Rights Reserved.