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Educating Young People about the Constitution

www.BillofRightsInstitute.org

Presidents and the Constitution,

Vol. 2War and the Constitution:War in the Early Republic

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources

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According to the Constitution, only Congresscan declare war. However, Presidents controlthe military and often send troops into foreigncountries without the approval of Congress.

So who really has the Power to declare war,Congress or the President?

Directions: Read Gleaves Whitneys essayCommanders in Chief at War on pages 38-41.Underline or highlight the facts you think areimportant.

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Constitutional Connection Activity

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Impeachment and the Constitution

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Critical Engagement Question

How did the countrys first four Presidents Exercise their powersas Commander in Chief?

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War in the Early Republic

Objectives

Identify ways the nations firstfour Presidents exercised theirconstitutional power asCommander in Chief.

Evaluate their various approachesto foreign enemies.

Assess what conditions requiredeclarations of war from Congress.

Presidents (from leftto right) Washington,

Adams, Madison, andJefferson

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Background/Homework

Read Handout A: War in theEarly Republic and answer thequestions:1) What foreign conflicts were

faced by PresidentsWashington, Adams,

Jefferson, and Madison?2) Why did James Madison

say that the Constitution

wisely confides to thelegislative department ofthe Government thepower to decide whether to

declare war?

Painting of the British burning WashingtonD.C. during the War of 1812

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Background/Homework continued

3) In your judgment, does every military action require adeclaration of war from Congress? If not, how can one determinethose actions which require a declaration of war from those thatdont?

President WoodrowWilson askingCongress to declarewar on Germany in1917

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Warm-Up

Pick one President in HandoutA and summarize his actionson a separate sheet of paper.

Role-Playassume the role ofone of the Presidents inHandout A and pretend to behim in a discussion with other

students.

Students doing group work

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Activity

Review Handout B: Name that President Determine which statement applies to which President. Have students portraying each President respond to each

statement that applies to them (some apply to more than 1President).

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Wrap-Up

Review your answers to question 3 on Handout A. Has your perspective on your answer changed after the activity?

Why or why not? Discuss the reasons for your answer. Discuss the following questions:

1) Has the world ever been completely at peace?2) How many wars are taking place right now?3) Does the Constitution provide sufficient guidance to help

Presidents and Congress know when to declare war?

Soldiers in

Afghanistan

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Homework Has Congress declared war in any present day U.S. wars and

conflicts? Write a letter to your Senators and Representatives in the U.S.

Congress expressing your viewpoint.

U.S. Representatives at

Capitol Hill

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ExtensionsPresident Madison declared the U.S. victoriousagainst the Barbary Pirates. But this conflictdid not start under Madisons Presidency. Conduct additional research on the Barbary

Pirates and the tactics of the first fourPresidents against these foes.

How many actions involved declared wars?

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The Burning of theU.S.S. Philadelphiaby the BarbaryPirates. One of theevents during the

conflict with theBarbary Pirates.

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