Lesson Plan
Executive Power: A History
Students will be able to trace the historical development of the U.S. Executive Branch, identify key presidencies that shaped its power, and analyze the evolving role of the President.
Understanding the Executive Branch's history is crucial for comprehending modern American governance, political debates, and the balance of power, empowering students to be informed citizens.
Audience
9th Grade Students
Time
90 minutes
Approach
Discussion, historical overview, and analysis.
Materials
Whiteboard or Projector, Markers or Pens, Executive Branch History Slide Deck, Executive Branch Worksheet, Executive Branch Discussion Prompts, and Cool Down: The President's Evolving Role
Prep
Teacher Preparation
20 minutes
- Review the Executive Branch History Slide Deck and familiarize yourself with the content.
- Print copies of the Executive Branch Worksheet (one per student).
- Review the Executive Branch Discussion Prompts for guiding the class conversation.
- Prepare for the Cool Down: The President's Evolving Role.
- Ensure projector/whiteboard and markers are ready.
Step 1
Warm-Up & Introduction (10 minutes)
10 minutes
- Begin with a quick Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind? activity to gauge prior knowledge.
- Introduce the lesson objectives and the overarching question: 'How has the power of the U.S. Executive Branch evolved?'
- Use the first few slides of the Executive Branch History Slide Deck to set the stage.
Step 2
Foundations of Executive Power (20 minutes)
20 minutes
- Present slides focusing on the Constitutional basis of the Executive Branch and the early presidencies (Washington, Jefferson).
- Discuss the initial vision for the presidency and how it was established.
- Encourage questions and brief class discussion on the limitations and expectations of early presidents. Refer to the Executive Branch History Slide Deck for visual aids and key information.
Step 3
Expansion of Presidential Power (25 minutes)
25 minutes
- Transition to periods of significant expansion of presidential power (e.g., Jackson, Lincoln, FDR, Teddy Roosevelt).
- Utilize the Executive Branch History Slide Deck to highlight specific events, actions, and historical contexts.
- Facilitate a brief discussion using the Executive Branch Discussion Prompts to explore why power expanded during these times.
- Distribute the Executive Branch Worksheet and have students begin working on the sections related to this period.
Step 4
Modern Presidency & Challenges (20 minutes)
20 minutes
- Cover the post-WWII era and the modern presidency, including the role of the President in foreign policy and domestic affairs.
- Use the relevant slides from the Executive Branch History Slide Deck.
- Engage students with further Executive Branch Discussion Prompts on checks and balances and the challenges of the modern executive.
- Allow students to continue working on their Executive Branch Worksheet.
Step 5
Wrap-Up & Cool Down (15 minutes)
15 minutes
- Review key takeaways from the lesson, emphasizing the continuous evolution of the Executive Branch.
- Collect the Executive Branch Worksheet for informal assessment or completion as homework.
- Conclude with the Cool Down: The President's Evolving Role activity, asking students to reflect on a specific aspect of the President's role today.
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Slide Deck
Executive Power: A History
Understanding the Evolution of the U.S. Presidency
Main Question: How has the power of the U.S. Executive Branch evolved over time?
Welcome students and introduce the topic. Ask them what comes to mind when they hear 'Executive Branch' or 'President.' This slide serves as a visual hook.
Why Study Executive Power?
- The President's role impacts everyone.
- Understand the 'why' behind presidential actions.
- Become informed citizens.
- See how power shifts and adapts over centuries.
Explain the importance of studying history to understand current events and the political landscape. Connect it to their lives as future voters.
The Blueprint: Constitutional Foundations
- Article II of the Constitution outlines presidential powers.
- Founders debated the extent of executive power.
- Fear of tyranny vs. need for effective leadership.
- Limited, but impactful, initial powers.
Briefly explain Article II and the framers' intent for a strong, but limited, executive. Mention Federalist 70's argument for a 'energetic executive.'
Early Presidencies: Setting Precedents
- George Washington: Establishing the office, cabinet, foreign policy.
- Thomas Jefferson: Louisiana Purchase – expanding presidential power through interpretation.
- Early presidents largely adhered to limited roles.
Discuss George Washington's role in setting precedents (e.g., cabinet, two-term tradition, neutrality). Mention Jefferson's Louisiana Purchase as an early test of implied powers.
Jacksonian Democracy: Power to the People (and the President)
- Andrew Jackson: The 'Common Man's President'.
- Increased use of presidential veto power.
- Challenged Supreme Court authority.
- Expanded the executive's role in policy-making.
Highlight Andrew Jackson's use of the veto, his defiance of the Supreme Court, and his appeal to the 'common man,' signifying a shift towards a more populist and powerful executive.
Crisis and Command: Abraham Lincoln
- Civil War: A period of immense executive power.
- Suspension of habeas corpus.
- Emancipation Proclamation.
- Presidential actions to preserve the Union.
Focus on Lincoln's actions during the Civil War: suspension of habeas corpus, Emancipation Proclamation. Emphasize how crisis often leads to executive power expansion.
The Progressive & New Deal Eras: A Growing Government
- Theodore Roosevelt: 'Trust Buster,' conservationist, expanding federal regulation.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Great Depression and the New Deal.
- Massive expansion of government programs and presidential influence.
- World War II: Commander-in-Chief powers.
Discuss the Progressive Era presidents (Teddy Roosevelt's 'Square Deal,' trust-busting) and FDR's New Deal programs, which dramatically expanded the federal government's role and the President's influence.
Post-WWII to Modern Day: Global Leader & Bureaucracy
- Cold War: President as a global leader.
- Growth of the executive branch bureaucracy.
- Debates over the 'imperial presidency.'
- Foreign policy dominance and executive orders.
Explain the post-WWII era, the Cold War, and how presidents became leaders on the global stage. Discuss the growth of the executive bureaucracy and the rise of the 'imperial presidency' debate.
The 21st Century Executive: New Challenges
- Globalization and interconnectedness.
- Digital age and direct communication.
- Increased partisanship and scrutiny.
- Ongoing debate: How much power is too much?
Prompt students to consider how technology, media, and polarization have impacted the presidency today. Discuss the balance of power and ongoing debates about executive authority.
Key Takeaways: An Evolving Office
- The Executive Branch has transformed significantly.
- Crises often lead to power expansion.
- Precedents set by early presidents still matter.
- The presidency is a dynamic office, shaped by history and current events.
Review the main points: from limited beginnings to a powerful modern office. Reiterate the idea of continuous evolution and the importance of civic engagement.
Warm Up
Warm-Up: What Comes to Mind?
Instructions: Take 3-5 minutes to jot down your thoughts in response to the prompt below.
Prompt: When you hear the words "President" or "Executive Branch," what are the first three things that come to your mind? What do you think is the most important job of the President?
Worksheet
The Evolving Executive: A Historical Journey Worksheet
Name: _________________________
Date: __________________________
Part 1: Constitutional Roots (10 minutes)
1. What article of the U.S. Constitution primarily outlines the powers of the Executive Branch?
2. In your own words, describe the initial vision the Founding Fathers had for the presidency. Were they more concerned with a strong leader or preventing tyranny? Explain.
Part 2: Early Presidencies & Precedents (15 minutes)
3. Name one significant precedent set by George Washington regarding the presidency.
4. How did Thomas Jefferson's action with the Louisiana Purchase challenge or expand the perceived powers of the presidency at the time?
Part 3: Expansion of Power (20 minutes)
5. Describe one way Andrew Jackson expanded the power of the Executive Branch during his presidency.
6. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln took several actions that significantly expanded presidential authority. Name one of these actions and explain its impact.
7. Choose either Theodore Roosevelt or Franklin D. Roosevelt. Explain how their presidency led to a major increase in the federal government's role and the President's influence.
Part 4: The Modern Executive (15 minutes)
8. How did the Cold War era (post-WWII) change the President's role, particularly in terms of foreign policy?
9. In the 21st century, what are two new challenges or influences (e.g., technology, globalization) that impact the President's ability to govern or communicate?
Part 5: Reflection (10 minutes)
10. Based on what you've learned, do you believe the U.S. Executive Branch has become too powerful, or has its growth been necessary for the nation's changing needs? Explain your reasoning with at least two examples from history.
Discussion
Executive Branch: Discussion Prompts
Use these prompts to guide class discussions throughout the lesson.
## Constitutional Foundations & Early Presidencies
* What were the main concerns of the Founding Fathers when creating the Executive Branch? How did they try to balance power?
* How did early presidents, like Washington and Jefferson, interpret their constitutional powers? Were their interpretations always consistent?
* Do you think the early presidents intentionally set precedents, or did their actions naturally become traditions?
## Expansion of Presidential Power
* During which historical periods did presidential power seem to expand the most? What factors contributed to this expansion (e.g., war, economic crisis, social change)?
* Was the expansion of presidential power always beneficial for the country? Can you think of any downsides or controversies that arose from it?
* How did presidents like Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt justify their expanded use of executive power?
## The Modern Presidency & Challenges
* How has the President's role in foreign policy changed since World War II and the Cold War?
* What does the term "imperial presidency" mean? Do you think it accurately describes the modern American presidency?
* How have technology and social media impacted the President's relationship with the public and other branches of government?
* Looking at the checks and balances, how effective do you think Congress and the Supreme Court are at limiting presidential power today? Why or why not?
Cool Down
Cool Down: The President's Evolving Role
Instructions: On an index card or a half-sheet of paper, respond to the prompt below. This is an individual reflection and will be collected at the end of class.
Prompt: Based on today's lesson, identify one way the role of the U.S. President has significantly changed from its origins to the present day. Do you think this change has been a positive or negative development for American democracy? Briefly explain your reasoning.
Answer Key
The Evolving Executive: A Historical Journey Worksheet - Answer Key
Part 1: Constitutional Roots
1. What article of the U.S. Constitution primarily outlines the powers of the Executive Branch?
* Answer: Article II.
2. In your own words, describe the initial vision the Founding Fathers had for the presidency. Were they more concerned with a strong leader or preventing tyranny? Explain.
* Answer: The Founding Fathers aimed to create a strong enough executive to lead effectively (as argued in Federalist 70) but were also deeply concerned with preventing the rise of a tyrannical leader, reminiscent of a monarch. They tried to balance these by granting specific powers while also implementing checks and balances from Congress and the Judiciary. Students might mention concerns about concentrated power or the desire for an energetic leader to ensure stability and enforce laws.
Part 2: Early Presidencies & Precedents
3. Name one significant precedent set by George Washington regarding the presidency.
* Answer: Students might mention:
* Establishing a cabinet.
* Serving only two terms (though this wasn't formally codified until the 22nd Amendment, he set the tradition).
* Issuing a Proclamation of Neutrality.
* Using military force to enforce federal law (Whiskey Rebellion).
4. How did Thomas Jefferson's action with the Louisiana Purchase challenge or expand the perceived powers of the presidency at the time?
* Answer: Jefferson himself believed in a strict interpretation of the Constitution, which did not explicitly grant the President power to acquire vast new territories. However, he made the Louisiana Purchase to benefit the nation, effectively expanding presidential power through a broad interpretation of implied powers or the treaty-making power, setting a precedent for future executive actions that went beyond explicit constitutional grants.
Part 3: Expansion of Power
5. Describe one way Andrew Jackson expanded the power of the Executive Branch during his presidency.
* Answer: Students might mention:
* Increased use of the presidential veto (vetoing more bills than all previous presidents combined, often based on policy disagreements rather than just constitutionality).
* Challenging the authority of the Supreme Court (e.g., regarding Native American land rights with the Trail of Tears).
* Directly appealing to the populace for support, strengthening the idea of the President as the representative of all the people.
* Confronting the national bank (Bank War), asserting executive control over economic policy.
6. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln took several actions that significantly expanded presidential authority. Name one of these actions and explain its impact.
* Answer: Students might mention:
* Suspension of habeas corpus: Allowed for the detention of individuals without trial, limiting civil liberties but argued as necessary to suppress rebellion and protect national security.
* Emancipation Proclamation: Declared enslaved people in Confederate states free, shifting the war's moral objective and expanding presidential power as commander-in-chief to impact domestic policy during wartime.
* Calling up state militias and increasing the size of the army/navy beyond congressional approval: Asserted executive power to act swiftly in a crisis without immediate legislative consent.
7. Choose either Theodore Roosevelt or Franklin D. Roosevelt. Explain how their presidency led to a major increase in the federal government's role and the President's influence.
* Answer Options:
* Theodore Roosevelt: As a