Lesson 23: What Is the Role of the President in the American Constitutional System?
How has the role of president changed since the founding of the nation? (Video)
Constitutional responsibilities of the president; Framers' intent and the expansion of presidential powers; presidential domination of the legislative process and domestic and foreign affairs; war powers; public attitudes toward the role of president; Framers' conception of the presidency; Civil Service Act; influence of key presidents on the expansion of presidential power.
Student Questions: Unit 4, Lesson 23, Sections 1-4 (pdf download)
How has Congress responded to the growth of presidential power? (Video)
Role of Congress in the expansion of presidential power; foreign affairs; war powers and Article I, Section 8; Framers' intent, the Reception Clause, and foreign policy; use of Commander in Chief Clause; Federalist 69; Supreme Court and President Adams; War Powers Act of 1973; issue of lack of Congressional fulfillment of constitutional responsibilities regarding wars and emergencies.
What factors have contributed to the growth of presidential power? (Video)
Factors affecting the growth of presidential power; Depression Era; expectations of the American people; ?president-centric? period; benefits and costs of executive orders; Article II and constitutional limits on presidential power; impact of Supreme Court decisions; congressional checks on presidential powers.
What are some bureaucratic and congressional checks on executive power? How has the executive promoted individual rights? How does the role of the president differ from that of a prime minister? (Video)
Congressional influences on executive departments and agencies; limitations of presidential power over executive departments and agencies; public opinion as a check on the power of the presidency; role of executive branch in protecting individual rights; comparison of roles of the president and prime ministers.
Statement on Signing the Social Security Act (Video)
Franklin D. Roosevelt and the Social Security Act.
Federal Power: Presidents and the Constitution (Video)
A video about federal power, focusing on presidents and the Constitution.
Teddy Roosevelt Speech (Video)
A speech by Theodore Roosevelt.
FDR Fireside Chat 1: On the Banking Crisis (Video)
Roosevelt calms the fears of the nation and outlines his plan to restore confidence in the banking system.
President Kennedy 1961 Inaugural Address (Video)
President Kennedy delivered his inaugural address on January 20, 1961.
"Berlin Wall" Speech (Video)
President Reagan's remarks on East-West relations at the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin, Germany on June 12, 1987.
Hearing on Limits of Executive Power: Bruce Fein (Video)
Bruce Fein's testimony during the House Judiciary Committee hearing on the constitutional limits of executive power discussing permanant war, warrantless wiretapping, and impeachment.
Hearing on Executive Power: Bob Barr Testifies (Video)
Former Congressman Bob Barr testifies in a hearing about executive power.
Executive Privilege and Delegation of Powers (Video)
Executive privilege video by Annenberg Media.
The Modern Presidency: Tools of Power (Video)
The expansion of executive powers through the years by Annenberg Media
Global Politics: U.S.A. and the World (Video)
A video about America and foreign policy by Annenberg Media.
War Powers and Covert Action (Video)
A video about the President's power with military by Annenberg Media.
The Presidents: Teddy Roosevelt (Video)
A video about Teddy Roosevelt's presidency by the History Channel.
Woodrow Wilson (Video)
A video about the presidency of Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt by American President Life Portrait.
Reagan and Foreign Policy (Video)
A CSPAN video of a discussion about foreign policy during President Ronald Reagan's administration. Filmed at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Length: 1 hr., 23 min.
Ronald Reagan (Video)
Watch and listen to Reagan's Presidency by the American Presidency Project.
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006) (Audio)
The oral argument of the case.
Hamdan v. Rumsfeld (2006) (Audio)
The opinion announcement of the case.
Federalist 68 (Audio)
A reading of Federalist 68 by Learn Out Loud.
Federalist 70 (Audio)
A reading of Federalist 70 by Learn Out Loud.
Fireside Chat (Audio)
Listen to audio recordings of FDR's fireside chats by the American Presidency Project.
60-Second Civics, Episode 5: George Washington and Executive Branch Authority (Audio)
How George Washington's actions established the authority of the presidency.
60-Second Civics, Episode 4: George Washington and the Executive Branch (Audio)
How George Washington's administration shaped the executive branch.
60-Second Civics, Episode 2: George Washington and civilian control of the Milit (Audio)
The man often called the father of our country, George Washington, established the principle that the military is subordinate to civilian government.
