Presidential History Flashcards
Has the system of Checks and Balances changed?
Since the adoption of the Constitution in 1787, the system of Checks & Balances, although not altered in theory, has been transformed in practice.
Who was the first branch of federal government originally?
Congress, was seen as the most dominant power in the American system
The power of the executive branch?
It is the weak power in theory but strong in practice.
Opinion of supporters during the Philadelpha convention of 1787?
divided between supporters of a strong executive and supporters of a weak one.
Why was the executive power created?
- the executive was created because the legislative power had proved too weak and inefficient to govern the country under the article of confederation ratified in 1781.
- At the same time, many leaders, fearing tyranny and dictatorship, wanted to divide the power into several branches.
What were the major concerns during the creation of the executive?
Efficiency and safety.
Supporters of a strong executive favoured efficiency while their opponents rather stressed the risk of tyranny as they tended to associate the executive branch with their experience of the British monarchy.
What are the powers that were shared by executive and legislative?
war powers, appointment, legislative process, etc. Several phrases in the text were deliberately vague or general so that the constitution could be adjusted to evolution of government in practice.
The opinion of the founding fathers on the presidency
most founding fathers initially distrusted the presidency and considered congress as the first and the main branch of government. From the beginning the prominent leaders such as Alexander Hamilton believed that the executive was bound to lead the nation because it was by essence more dynamic and more action oriented than the legislature.
What happened throughout the 20th century?
theory of congressional/legislative primacy prevailed but a few presidents took historic initiatives that asserted executive authority, and set precedents for their successors of the modern era.
Washington actions that had an impact on presidency?
He raised issues of presidential in foreign policy when
* he issued his neutrality proclamation in 1793
* he refused participation of the house of representatives in negotiation of Jay’s Treaty in 1794.
The neutrality proclamation
concerned war powers and it declared the nation neutral in the conflict between France and Great Britain.
the Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty was a treaty of amity, commerce and navigation between his britannic majesty and the USA. It resolved issues remaining since the Treaty of Paris 1783, and it facilitated 10 years of peaceful trade between the US and Britain in the midst of the French Revolutionary wars
What were the reaction to the issues raised by Washington?
- Hamilton supported Washington initiative arguing that the Constitution by vesting the executive power in the presidency gave broad powers to the president
- Maddison argued that the power to decide on war and peace was specifically reserved to Congress.
⇉ In the end, Washington and Hamilton prevailed.
What unilateral decisions in foreign policy were taken by presidents?
- Jefferson purchased Louisiana without congressional authorisation in 1803 from the French.
- Monroe issued the Monroe doctrine in 1823
- Polk tarted the Mexican war in 1846 without a declaration of war and then he forced congress to recognise the state of war.
the Monroe doctrine
a principle of US policy that any intervention by external powers in the politics of the Americas is a potentially hostile act against the US
What about domestic policy
Congress generally prevailed.
Why did Jackson’s presidency mark a turning point?
- his impact was related to the evolution of the party system and the electoral process as the states gradually abandoned voting restrictions
- Unlike his predecessors, Jackson could claim popular legitimacy.
- Jackson had won a mandate from the people, this tightened the link between the presidency and the people at the expense of Congress.
- He was the first president to use his power of veto in an assertive way as an effective means to block legislation he disapproved of.
What did Lincoln do that changed the presidency?
- he used extraordinary powers without consulting Congress during the Civil War and even suspended the Habeas Corpus.
- He conducted the war alone for months as commander-in-chief. He then asked Congress to approve which it did.
How is the historic assertion of Presidential powers justified?
by emergency circumstances
Why did the turn of the 20th century pave the way for modern presidency?
- that change was favoured by the new international context and massive social and economic changes at home
- with the victory in the Spanish-American war in 1898 McKinley asserted the president’s authority as the commander-in-chief.
- Roosevelt extended his authority in domestic and foreign policy. He appealed to the people to force Congress to pass legislation. He proposed a presidential legislative program, this was the beginning of a new era.
- The trend was affirmed by Wilson’s presidency, he won exceptional powers during WWI, especially to regulate the economy. He established press conferences and he ensured the passage of progressive legislation.
F.D.R
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Why is FDR important
- the New Deal, 1933-39
- After F.D.R, the presidential power was accepted as a positive good
What did the New Deal do overall?
it imposed presidential authority in government, it transformed the regime from Congressional to Presidential primacy. Such transformation was made possible by two emerging situations: The Great Depression and WWII.
What was the general opinion of the expension of powers between WWII and the early 70s
- politicians, academics and the public all approved of it.
- Schlesinge who later criticised the Presidency was an advocate of strong executive powers in the 1950s.
