Unit IV Lesson 2

The President as Commander-in-Chief

Essential Question:

• What are the institutions and

policy-making processes of

the national government?

• What are the links between

the branches of the national

government, political parties,

interest groups, public

opinion, the media, and state

and local governments?

“Enumerated”

• Law Enforcement

• Treaties

• Pardons/Reprieves

• Appointments

The President is “Commander-in-Chief” (leader) of the nation’s armed forces

“The President shall be Commander-in-Chief of

the Army and Navy of the United States, and of

the Militia of the several States, when called into

the Service of the United States”

“Enumerated”

CongressThe

Last

Time

1941

• War of 1812

• Mexican American War

• Spanish American War

• World War I

• World War II

The

Only

“Wars”

• Korean War (1950–1953)

• Bay of Pigs (1961)

• Vietnam War (1961–1973)

• Dominican Republic (1965)

• Grenada (1983)

• Gulf War (1991)

• Bosnia (1994–1995)

• Kosovo (1999)

• Global War on Terror (2001– )

• Afghanistan (2001–2014)

• War Against the Islamic State (ISIS) (2014—)

How

Can

This

Happen

Because the president’s war powers are “vague” (unclear/broad)

presidential authority in times of crisis has expanded drastically since

ratification of the Constitution

(ex. Deploy troops without declaring war, issue executive orders, etc.)

“The President shall be

Commander-in-Chief of the

Army and Navy of the United

States, and of the Militia of the

several States, when called into

the Service of the United

States”

Article II Section 2

2009- Conducted 390 drone strikes killing more than 2,400 people

The War Powers Resolution of 1973- The President 1) Must

notify Congress within 48 hours of committing armed forces

and 2) Cannot send troops into combat for more than 60 days

without the consent of Congress

48 Hours60

Days

constitutional

1973

“Military Power”

Which of the following statements BESTdescribes the prevailing view of the power of

the president today?

A. The president is primarily an administrator carrying out the will of Congress

B. The president is the voice of the nation but cannot take any important action without the approval of Congress

C.The president has great authority domestically but very little power internationally

D. The power of the president has expanded drastically since ratification of the Constitution

Uncertainty over the limits to presidential power is caused primarily by the fact that:

A.The Supreme Court has never ruled on a case concerning limits to presidential power

B.States continue to cede more power to their governors than the national government gives to the president

C.The constitutional definition of those powers is broad and unspecific

D.Constitutional amendments have greatly increased presidential powers over the last 100 years

Which of the following is articulated in the War Powers Resolution of 1973?

A.The President may declare war

B.The President must finance any war efforts from a special contingency fund

C.The President must bring troops home from hostilities within 60 days unless Congress extends the time

D.The President may not send troops into hostilities without a declaration of war from Congress or a resolution from the United Nations