pc 1 federal power-theodore roosevelt and the bully pulpit-student program

8/2/2019 PC 1 Federal Power-Theodore Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit-Student Program

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Presidents and the

ConstitutionTheodore Roosevelt and

the Bully Pulpit

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources

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The biggest problem people have in thinkingabout the Founding Documents is that they look atthem with “contemporary” eyes. They don’trealize the fear of powerful government, the bitter

debates and tremendously difficult compromises,or any of the other concerns the Founders had in1770’s-1791.

Directions: Read Dr. David Marion’s Essay “The

Presidency and Federal Power” on pages 4-6.Underline or highlight the facts you think areimportant.



War and the Constitution

Constitutional Connection Activity

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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully PulpitCritical Engagement Question

How did Theodore Roosevelt use of the Presidency as a “bullypulpit” transform the office of the President?

Objectives

• Understand ways TheodoreRoosevelt used his office as a “bullypulpit”.

• Analyze the constitutionality of

Roosevelt’s actions as President. • Evaluate ways that Roosevelt

transformed the Presidency.



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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully PulpitBackground/Homework

Handout A: Theodore Roosevelt and theBully Pulpit

1) What did Roosevelt mean by “bullypulpit”?

2) How did Roosevelt change the way othercountries viewed the United States.

3) What kinds of domestic reforms didRoosevelt propose to Congress?

4) The Founders believed powers not grantedto the President in the Constitution were

forbidden. Roosevelt believed powers notforbidden were granted. What are theimplications of each?



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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Warm-Up

1) Who is depicted in this picture?2) How does this picture illustrate the

principle of a “bully pulpit” (awonderful place from which topreach)

3) What is the cartoonists opinion of theperson in this image?



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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully PulpitWarm-Up continued

Listen to the audio recording of Roosevelt’sspeech entitled “Social and Industrial Justice” (3min 36 sec);

As you listen, answer the following questions:1) What reforms does Roosevelt propose?2) How does the tone (mood or emotion) of his

speech compare to speeches given by morerecent Presidents or Presidential candidates?

3) How does this speech illustrate Roosevelt’sprinciple of the “bully pulpit”?



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Activity• Reference Appendix B: The United States Constitution• Read Article II and Article I, section 7 of the U.S. Constitution

and summarize the powers of the President.



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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully PulpitActivity continued

• Re-read Handout A to identify instanceswhere PresidentRoosevelt used the bully pulpit to urgeaction or reforms.

• Record your answerson Handout B.

Table illustratinganswers are on

the next slide.

1) What section of

Article II in theConstitutionPresident TeddyRoosevelt used to justify his power (ifany)?

2) How did his actiontransformed thePresidency?



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He explained the need he sawto regulate “corporationsengaged in interstatecommerce.”

Article II, Section 3:recommend to [Congress’]consideration such measures ashe shall judge necessary andexpedient.

Created the Departmentof Labor and Commerce

His taking on of consolidatedcompanies

under the Sherman Anti-TrustAct

Art. II, Section 3“he shall takecare that the laws be faithfully

executed<”

He made the President a moreprominent legislative advocate

Advocated greater ability forthe federal government toacquire land

Art II, Sect 3 “recommend toCongress’ consideration suchmeasures as he shall judgenecessary and expedient<”

He made the President a moreprominent legislative advocate

Helping revolutionaries inPanama

Art II, Sect 2 “The Presidentshall be commander in chief ofthe Army and Navy of theUnited States<”

He engaged in military actionwithout a declaration of warfrom Congress.

Negotiated an end tothe Russo-Japanese War.

Art II, Sect 3 “He shall receiveambassadors and other public

ministers<”

became actively involved inthe affairs

of other nations.

Were these actions “constitutional?”



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Wrap-Up

1) Did Theodore Roosevelt exercisehis presidential powers in a way

that was consistent with theConstitution?

2) If not, what was “extra-constitutional” or even “contra-constitutional” about his actions?

3) How did Roosevelt transform the

Presidency? Was this change for better or worse?

Teddy Roosevelt

Economic Libertypolitical cartoon



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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully PulpitHomework

At the Constitutional Convention, Edmund Randolph regarded a singleexecutive as a “fetus of monarchy”; James Wilson countered that “unity inthe executive<would be the best safeguard against tyranny.” Assess each ofthese predictions in light of Theodore Roosevelt’s actions as President.

EdmundRandolph(left) and James Wilson(right)



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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully PulpitExtension

Research political cartoons about Teddy Roosevelt and select one thatdepicts a constitutional issue to interpret for the next class.