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AP U.S. Government and Politics

Topic 2.6: The Expansion of Presidential Power Source Analysis Before You Read Remember that under the Articles of Confederation, there was no national executive. Anti-Federalists expressed concerns that a singular executive might threaten the rights of the people. The debate over the ratification of the then proposed Constitution provides context for the argument that Hamilton writes in Federalist No. 70 as he seeks to persuade New Yorkers to ratify the document. Over our history, the power of the presidency has grown. In the chart below, list how you think the power of the presidency has grown, some of the reasons why, and how you think this expansion affects the interaction among the three branches of government. How the power of the presidency has grown

Analytical Reading Activities

Required Document: Excerpts from The Federalist No. 70 by Alexander Hamilton Paired with: Excerpts from the Majority and Concurring Opinions from Youngstown Sheet & Tube Company v. Sawyer (1952)

Related Concepts: ◼

Debate over the Constitution

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Presidential Power

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Expressed Powers

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Implied Powers

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Inherent Powers

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Executive Order

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Separation of Powers

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Checks and Balances

A shift in power after the constitution gave the president more roles.

Process Reasons for this expansion of power

During times of war or crises, the other branches delegated more power to the

Explain the relevance or significance of processes and/ or interactions.

executive. Source Analysis

Effects of this expansion on the interaction among the three branches of government

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Executive has become arguably the strongest branch, while the legislative has become the clear weakest.

Explain how the implications of the author’s argument or perspective may affect political principles, institutions, processes, policies, and behaviors.

AP U.S. Government and Politics

Analytical Reading Activities

The Federalist No. 70 While Hamilton argues at length against a committee council sharing executive powers, this essay has been excerpted here to narrow the focus on why investing power in the presidency will not threaten the liberty of Americans, but would actually provide a way to protect individual rights. As you read, focus on Hamilton’s argument and the implications of that argument as reflected in the Constitution.

The Executive Department Further Considered From the New York Packet Tuesday, March 18, 1788.

Author: Alexander Hamilton

To the People of the State of New York:

Academic Vocabulary Use what you’ve already learned THERE is an idea, which is not without its advocates, that a vigorous and context clues from the reading Executive is inconsistent with the genius of republican government. The to define republican government. enlightened well-wishers to this species of government must at least hope that the supposition is destitute of foundation; since they can never admit A republic is a form of government in which its truth, without at the same time admitting the condemnation of their own power is held by the people and their elected principles. representatives. In republics, the country is

considered a "public matter", not the private concern or property of the rulers. Source Analysis Highlight or underline why, according to Hamilton, a strong presidency is beneficial to the people.

Energy in the Executive is a leading character in the definition of good

Connect to Content What are the responsibilities of the president that make “energy in the executive” necessary?

To protect against foreign attacks, to protect citizens' property, and to protect the liberty of the people.

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AP U.S. Government and Politics

Every man the least conversant in Roman story, knows how often that republic was obliged to take refuge in the absolute power of a single man, under the formidable title of Dictator, as well against the intrigues of ambitious individuals who aspired to the tyranny, and the seditions of whole classes of the community whose conduct threatened the existence of all government, as against the invasions of external enemies who menaced the conquest and destruction of Rome.

Analytical Reading Activities

Source Analysis Underline where Hamilton argues that weakness in the executive results in a bad or weak government.

There can be no need, however, to multiply arguments or examples on this head.

Taking it for granted, therefore, that all men of sense will agree in the necessity of an energetic Executive, it will only remain to inquire, what are the ingredients which constitute this energy? How far can they be combined with those other ingredients which constitute safety in the republican sense? And how far does this combination characterize the plan which has been reported by the convention?

Check Your Understanding What does Hamilton assume that all sensible men will conclude?

All sensible men will agree in the necessity of an energetic Executive.

Source Analysis

In the first paragraph, Hamilton states that the Romans allowed for a tyrannical ruler while the energy of the executive of America must have a balanced mix of ingredients. "Safety in the republican sense" simply means that the executive must respect the will of the governed in order for said government to remain the people's.

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Contrast the information in the last paragraph on this page with what Hamilton says about Rome in the first paragraph. What does he mean by “safety in the republican sense”? Use the space below the third paragraph to compose your answer.

AP U.S. Government and Politics

The ingredients which constitute energy in the Executive are, first, unity; secondly, duration; thirdly, an adequate provision for its support; fourthly, competent powers.

Analytical Reading Activities

Check Your Understanding Rewrite the four “ingredients” of executive energy in your own words in the space below this passage.

1) confederation 2) extent The ingredients which constitute safety in the republican sense are, first, a due dependence on the people, secondly, a due responsibility.

Those politicians and statesmen who have been the most celebrated for the soundness of their principles and for the justice of their views, have declared in favor of a single Executive and a numerous legislature. They have with great propriety, considered energy as the most necessary qualification of the former, and have regarded this as most applicable to power in a single hand, while they have, with equal propriety, considered the latter as best adapted to deliberation and wisdom, and best calculated to conciliate the confidence of the people and to secure their privileges and interests.

That unity is conducive to energy will not be disputed. Decision, activity, secrecy, and despatch will generally characterize the proceedings of one man in a much more eminent degree than the proceedings of any greater number; and in proportion as the number is increased, these qualities will be diminished. …

3) the support of the people 4) worthy people in power

Source Analysis Paraphrase Hamilton’s argument explaining the implications of having a single person executive versus a committee.

A single executive is much more efficient than an executive committee.

Connect to Content Underline ways in which Hamilton’s description of the executive matches the way presidents function in our government today. Use the space below the last paragraph to expand on and explain the implications of one of these actions or functions.

propriety: appropriateness or suitability

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AP U.S. Government and Politics

... In the legislature, promptitude of decision is oftener an evil than a benefit. The differences of opinion, and the jarrings of parties in that department of the government, though they may sometimes obstruct salutary plans, yet often promote deliberation and circumspection, and serve to check excesses in the majority. When a resolution too is once taken, the opposition must be at an end. That resolution is a law, and resistance to it punishable.

Analytical Reading Activities

Source Analysis How does Hamilton view the processes and interactions of the legislature?

Hamilton views the processes and interactions of the legislature as more often an evil than a benefit. Chaotic and deunifying.

But no favorable circumstances palliate or atone for the disadvantages of dissension in the executive department. Here, they are pure and unmixed. There is no point at which they cease to operate. They serve to embarrass and weaken the execution of the plan or measure to which they relate, from the first step to the final conclusion of it.

They constantly counteract those qualities in the Executive which are the most necessary ingredients in its composition, vigor and expedition, and this without any counterbalancing good.

Check Your Understanding How are decisiveness and quick action good qualities when exercised by the executive?

A President who can make decisions quickly will be able to manage crises better and deal with issues more efficiently. In the conduct of war, in which the energy of the Executive is the bulwark of the national security, every thing would be to be apprehended from its plurality.

Source Analysis Why is this energy especially important in the arena of national security?

The energy of the Executive is the bulwark of the national security.

salutary: positive or beneficial palliate: to reduce or ease the effects of atone: to make amends

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AP U.S. History

After You Read Thinking Like a Political Scientist Reasoning Process: Process Describe the characteristics or traits that Hamilton views as essential in the executive.

Hamilton deems competence, decisiveness, and quickness as essential traits in the executive. According to Hamilton, how is a president with power and energy not only important to good government but also critical to protecting the rights of the people?

Hamilton says an energetic president will take things more seriously, like attacks, laws, protection, and justice.

Political Science Disciplinary Practices Source Analysis Using what you’ve learned about the American governmental system established in the Constitution, how did Hamilton’s argument affect political institutions? He argued that the separation of powers in the new republican system would

prevent any one political faction from dominating another, which can lead to the possibility of tyranny. His argument led to the instillation of an Executive branch which consists of the President, Vice-President, and the Cabinet.

How did Hamilton’s argument affect political behaviors?

His influence is felt with the powers of the president that we see today. Hamilton advocated for more power within the executive branch, and while the president did not get as much power as Hamilton wanted, his influence is felt.

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Analytical Reading Activities...