The Infographic Guide to American Government: A Visual Reference for Everything You Need to Know

by Carissa Lytle, Jara Kern

Overview

This vibrant, illustrated guide to the ins and outs of United States politics provides a clearer understanding of the current events and regular processes that shape this nation and the world.

Decipher the American political system with this clear, easy-to-understand guide to the basics of the United States political system, from the founding of the thirteen colonies, to the foundations of the constitution, to how elections work. You’ll also find information about the history and context of current issues, like how Supreme Court justices are appointed; the electoral college and the popular vote; and how to get involved in the political process.

Perfect for anyone looking for information on basic political processes, The Infographic Guide to American Government includes graphics that help simplify a range of topics from the Revolutionary War to all about a free press.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781507210802
Publisher:	Adams Media
Publication date:	07/16/2019
Series:	Infographic Guide Series
Pages:	128
Sales rank:	79,215
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Carissa Lytle is a marketer-turned-designer who loves creating infographics because of the way they beautifully meld typography, illustration, and design. She studied marketing at DePaul University and visual communication design at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago before starting out on her own as a freelance graphic designer. Fast forward fifteen years and she now owns the award-winning, full-service design firm Right Angle Studio. Alongside her husband, Patrick—a former Chief Marketing Officer—the pair balance creative insight and marketing know-how to run their business like a well-oiled machine. When they aren’t collaborating on their clients’ latest project, you can find them enjoying their free time with their four young daughters in the picturesque lakefront town of Highland Park on Chicago’s North Shore.

Jara Kern tapped her entrepreneurial streak as a kindergartner, when she wrote to Hasbro with the idea for a new line of My Little Pony toys, accompanied by names, marketing copy, and detailed illustrations. While she’s moved on from My Little Ponies, her knack for organizing ideas and expressing them in sparkling copy has stayed with her—and helped her nurture a thriving career. When she’s not strategizing or writing, you’ll find her running trails or learning about birds and bugs with her three children. She holds a degree in music performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and an MBA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 History in the Making: The Founding of the American Government

The Enlightenment: A New Way of Thinking 14

The Thirteen Colonies 16

Resentment & Rebellion 18

The American Revolution: What Was It About? 20

Putting Will to the Quill: The Declaration of Independence 22

The Revolutionary War: The Fight for Independence 24

Transitional Government: The Articles of Confederation 26

Federalists vs. Anti-Federalists 28

We the People: The First Six Articles of the Constitution 30

The Race to Ratification 32

Amendments to the Constitution 34

Four Cornerstone Freedoms 36

A Brief History of the Separation of Church & State 38

Chapter 2 The Anatomy of the American Government

The Three Branches 42

Checks & Balances: A New System for a New Country 44

All About the Senate 46

All About the House 48

Building a Law in Ten Steps 50

The Supreme Court: History and Powers 52

Did You Know?: Facts About Federal & State Courts 54

The Office of the President 56

Chapter 3 Democracy in Action: Elections & Voting

Ten Facts About Voting 60

Six Must-Knows About Campaigns & Elections 62

A Brief History of the Democratic Party 64

A Brief History of the Republican Party 66

Ten Facts on Third Parties & Independents 68

Red States, Blue States, & Swing States 70

What to Expect on Election Day 72

The Truth About Term Limits 74

Presidential Nominations & Elections 76

The Electoral College Explained 78

Winning the Electoral College but Losing the Popular Vote 80

Chapter 4 The President and Administration Leadership

Presidential Transitions: Eight Things to Know 84

The Inauguration: A Timeline 86

The Vice President: Duties & Selection 88

Next in Line: Presidential Succession at a Glance 90

Alt in a Day's Work 92

The Cabinet: What It Does and Who's in It 94

The First Lady 96

Impeachment: What? Why? When? How? 98

Keeping the Country Safe: National Security, Uncovered 100

The Civil Service 102

Chapter 5 American Government Made Local

State Government: An Overview 106

Local Matters: County Government 108

Community Matters: City Government 110

A Free Press: Media & the Government 112

All About interest Groups: Wielding Influence Large and Small 114

The Lowdown on Lobbyists 116

What You Can Do: Entering the Political Process 118

Power of the People 120