Ms. Reda Government
Chapter 13 & 14 Document Based Question (DBQ)
Question 1—Document-Based Question
The question of how much power a President should have has been hotly debated since 1787, some arguing that the Executive Branch, specifically the President, has been increasing his place and power far beyond what is acceptable. Gradually, presidents have increased their authority, both quietly and forcibly. The way in which several Presidents have exercised power has often reignited the debate over “executive power”.Discuss all the reasons that explain the growth in presidential power over the last 200 years. Then explain some of the criticism and concerns that the American public has for this growth that is being explained by the different cartoons/documents. You must use at all three of the documents provided in constructing your response.
Document A:For the cartoon below, the weaker Congress is being controlled by the very power President Richard Nixon. Look at the cartoon carefully and determine where the president how and from whom the President is gaining his power.
Document B:This depicts President Andrew Jackson who was credited with starting the spoils system. Think about what this cartoon is saying about his presidential power and what are the details in the cartoon that contribute to your interpretation.
Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C. 20540 USA
Document C: Article II of the Constitution provides only a framework of the presidency. Most Presidents have tried to extend their powers in order to perform their jobs more efficiently. On the left are a few examples.
1787: The Constitution designs a strong National Government with an independent presidency. / 1930s: President Franklin D. Roosevelt expands the executive branch to overcome the effects of the Great Depression. / 1950s: President Dwight E. Eisenhower claims executive privilege to shield conversations from the courts and Congress. / 1970s: The term “imperial presidency” in which the President ignores or misleads Congress is used to describe the Nixon Administration. / 2000s: President Bush claims that the President has a practically absolute power to defend the United States.