16 Questions
What is the primary focus of Article II of the Constitution?
Outlining the specific powers and responsibilities of the president
What was James Wilson's contribution to the discussions at the Constitutional Convention?
Advocating for a single president with energy and responsibility
What was the compromise reached regarding the election of the president at the Constitutional Convention?
The creation of the Electoral College system
What are executive orders as defined in the text?
Written directives of the president telling someone in the executive branch what to do
What was one of the debated aspects about the presidency at the Constitutional Convention?
The length of term for the president
What is NOT listed as one of the president's core powers and responsibilities in the text?
Issuing currency
What was the significant change in the conception of the presidency during the Progressive Era?
From a chief magistrate to a steward of the public welfare
What was Theodore Roosevelt's vision of the presidency?
As a steward of the people
How did Taft's view of presidential authority differ from Roosevelt's belief?
Taft believed president's authority comes only from the Constitution, while Roosevelt believed president can do anything not explicitly forbidden by the Constitution
What was the outcome of the 1912 election as a result of the disagreement between Taft and Roosevelt?
Wilson's election as a Democrat
What did the Supreme Court rule in the case of Youngstown v. Sawyer?
That only Congress has the power to make laws
What did Justice Robert H. Jackson identify for analyzing presidential power?
Three categories: with congressional approval, in the face of disapproval, and in the zone of twilight
What is a contentious issue related to executive orders according to critics?
Presidents use them to bypass Congress and achieve goals through executive fiat
What did Woodrow Wilson criticize about the separation of powers?
He criticized it and insisted on a large, energetic federal government overseen by a president directly responsive to the people
What role did Taft assume after his presidency?
He became Chief Justice
Who seized Steel mills during the Korean War without congressional approval?
President Harry S. Truman
Study Notes
- The presidency is the most powerful elected office, but the Constitution grants fewer specific powers to the president in Article II than to Congress in Article I.
- The Constitution sets out details for electing a president and removing one from office, and lists some core powers and responsibilities, including being Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy, appointing judges and officials, making treaties, granting reprieves and pardons, and taking care that laws are faithfully executed.
- At the Constitutional Convention, there were debates on the logistics of structuring the presidency, how to elect the president, the length of the president's term, granting the president a role in the legislative process, and how to remove a president from office.
- James Wilson argued for a single president with energy and responsibility, leading to the choice of a single president over fears of monarchy.
- James Wilson proposed popular election by the people, but the compromise was the Electoral College.
- The delegates agreed on a four-year term with the president eligible for re-election, but debated on granting the president a role in the legislative process and how to remove a president from office.
- Executive orders are written directives of the president telling someone in the executive branch what to do.
- The number of executive orders has risen dramatically over time, spiking during the Progressive Era due to a changed conception of the presidency from a chief magistrate to a steward of the public welfare.
- Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson had different visions of the presidency, with Roosevelt seeing the president as a steward of the people and Wilson criticizing the separation of powers and insisting on a large, energetic federal government overseen by a president directly responsive to the people.- Taft's presidency contrasted Roosevelt's belief that the president can do anything not explicitly forbidden by the Constitution
- Taft believed president's authority comes only from the Constitution, leading to a dramatic split with Roosevelt in the 1912 election
- Taft's view of a republic vs. Roosevelt and Wilson's vision of a president as a direct channel of popular will
- Taft published collections of lectures defending constitutional government and became Chief Justice
- During the 1912 election, the people disagreed, resulting in Wilson's election as a Democrat
- In the 1950s, the Supreme Court case Youngstown v. Sawyer tested the power of executive orders
- President Harry S. Truman seized Steel mills during the Korean War without congressional approval, arguing for his power as Commander-in-Chief
- The Supreme Court ruled against Truman, stating that only Congress has the power to make laws
- Justice Robert H. Jackson identified three categories for analyzing presidential power: with congressional approval, in the face of disapproval, and in the zone of twilight
- Disputes about the constitutionality of executive orders remain a contentious issue, with critics arguing presidents use them to bypass Congress and achieve goals through executive fiat.
Explore the history and constitutional powers of the US presidency, from the debates at the Constitutional Convention to the evolution of executive orders and their impact on governance. Learn about key figures such as James Wilson, Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and Taft, and understand the complexities of presidential authority and its relationship with Congress and the public.
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