Development of the modern presidency November 14, 2017 Development of the modern presidency

Presidents & History The Constitution provides the framework of presidential power, but the development of the office reflects the history of the nation. In other words, we define presidential power by looking at how presidents have exercised their powers through the history of the nation. An assertive president typically coincides with an active government. When the government does little, the president does little.

Founders’ Expectations The Framers of the Constitution expected that Congress would be the dominant institution of American national government.

Early Presidents Early presidents generally confined their initiatives to foreign affairs, leaving domestic policymaking to Congress. The nation's first chief executives did not negotiate with Congress over policy and rarely used the veto. Keep in mind that the government was relatively small. There was no income tax, no giant bureaucracy, and no major social programs.

Thomas Jefferson Jefferson, Andrew Jackson, and Lincoln expanded the powers of the presidency. Jefferson negotiated the Louisiana Purchase in 1803.

Andrew Jackson Jackson, who served as president from 1829 to 1837, vetoed legislation on policy grounds, issuing more vetoes than the first six presidents combined. He asserted his legislative leadership by asking the voters to elect different people to Congress who would be more supportive of his policy priorities.

Abraham Lincoln President Lincoln, who held office during the Civil War from 1861 to 1865, used his authority as commander in chief to justify taking actions without congressional authorization. He declared martial law, ordered the blockade of southern ports, freed slaves in the rebelling territories, stationed troops in the South, and spent money not appropriated by Congress. Lincoln justified his extraordinary use of power as necessary to preserve the Union.

Presidents and War Presidential authority tends to grow during time of war. Why do you think that is the case?

Presidents During War Commander in chief power Public opinion supports presidential initiative, at least initially Congress and the courts defer to presidential leadership during time of crisis

Presidency after Lincoln After Lincoln, the power of the presidency receded with a series of almost forgotten chief executives, such as Millard Fillmore. This was an era when government did relatively little. Presidential power typically recedes after a war ends.

Twentieth Century The role of the presidency grew in the twentieth century as the role of government grew. Who is this guy? Theodore Roosevelt.

Theodore Roosevelt Roosevelt, who held office from 1901 to 1909, sent the navy halfway around the globe and schemed to acquire the Panama Canal. Domestically, Roosevelt attacked monopolies, crusaded for conservation, and lobbied legislation through Congress.

Woodrow Wilson Wilson, who served from 1913 through 1921, was the first president to recommend a comprehensive legislative program to Congress. He was the first president to conduct face-to-face diplomacy with foreign leaders, negotiating the League of Nations Treaty.

Franklin Roosevelt Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served from 1933 to 1945, is widely regarded as the first modern president. FDR, as President Franklin Roosevelt was known, was first elected during the Great Depression and held office through most of World War II.

FDR and the New Deal The Depression generated public pressure for the national government to act to revive the nation's economy, help those Americans hardest hit by the collapse, and regulate business and industry in an effort to prevent recurrence of the disaster. FDR responded with the New Deal, which involved the federal government more deeply in the nation's economy than ever before. During the New Deal, Congress and the president adopted financial regulations. They also initiated spending programs in order to put people to work.

Eisenhower giving troops a pep talk before the Normandy invasion. World War II During World War II, Congress ceded so many powers to the presidency that scholars often refer to FDR during the war years as a constitutional dictator. What’s going on here? Eisenhower giving troops a pep talk before the Normandy invasion.

Modern Presidency The modern president . . . often takes the lead in legislative policymaking, uses executive orders to act without congressional approval, has the support of an expanded presidential bureaucracy, and has become the most visible figure in American government.

Modern Presidency Factors contributing to the emergence of the modern presidency: The United States has become a world power, thrusting foreign policy and national security issues to the top of the policy agenda. The modern presidential selection process favors the election of assertive individuals with big ideas rather than individuals chosen primarily for their loyalty to their political parties. The executive branch of the national government has grown, giving the president the means to expand influence.

What You Have Learned What expectations did the framers have of the presidency? What role did early presidents play? Which presidents helped expand the role of the office? Who was the first modern president? How is the modern president different from prior presidents and why did the modern presidency develop?