The American Presidency By Amber Strawser

The Founding of a Nation 10th Grade American History The American Presidency

Objectives Students will have a basic understanding of the US presidency Students will understand why the presidency was created with safeguards. Students will be able to name the Roles of the President

Materials Books on the American Presidency Books on the American Presidents The film “1776”

Websites

Activities Research the presidency an determine which president is the greatest. Write an essay and tell me why!

Let’s Start With A Little Trivia Which President's mother forced him to wear dresses until age five?

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Try Another One. Which President was an assistant teacher at the NYC school for the blind prior to being president?

Grover Cleveland

Last Chance Which president suggested a system where ANNUAL elections should be held on February 29?

Thomas Jefferson

Roles of the President Head of State

Roles of the President Commander in Chief

Roles of the President Chief Executive

Roles of the President Chief Diplomat

Roles of the President Legislative Leader

Roles of the President Party Leader

Roles of the President National Leader

The Cabinet

Formed by the leaders of the executive departments. Chosen by the President. Approved by the Senate. Also includes the Vice President. Offer advice for the President.

Checks and Balances System

The Executive, Legislative and Judicial Branch hold each other accountable to maintain balance in the government and to keep any one branch from obtaining too much power.

The Basics May serve a maximum of two terms.

The Basics Must be a natural born citizen.

The Basics Must be 35 years old.

The Basics A President term last four years.

Representative Democracy The election is in the form of a representative democracy. Therefore: The election is nationwide. Each state has a winner and this winner takes all in the state. All the votes of each state go to the winner of said state.

The Vice President

Roles of the Vice President Presides over the Senate Takes over upon the death of the President National Security Council member Cabinet Member Presidential Advisor

Why so many regulations? The founders wanted to be sure not to give any one leader too much control. Why? They had suffered under a King and wanted to be sure that they never had live under one supreme ruler again. Therefore the legislative and judicial branches are given the power to keep the President in check.

Why Term Limits? Term limits are to keep the president from becoming a life-long leader. He remains only an elected official in power for four to eight years.

Why Representative Democracy? Representative democracy was chosen to give the people a say while still leaving the power in the hands of Congress.

The End