Presidents and the Constitution Theodore Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Presidents and the Constitution Resources

The biggest problem people have in thinking about the Founding Documents is that they look at them with contemporary eyes. They dont realize the fear of powerful government, the bitter debates and tremendously difficult compromises, or any of the other concerns the Founders had in 1770s-1791.

Directions: Read Dr. David Marions Essay The Presidency and Federal Power on pages 4-6. Underline or highlight the facts you think are important.

War and the Constitution

Constitutional Connection Activity

Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Critical Engagement Question How did Theodore Roosevelt use of the Presidency as a bully pulpit transform the office of the President?

Objectives Understand ways Theodore Roosevelt used his office as a bully pulpit. Analyze the constitutionality of Roosevelts actions as President. Evaluate ways that Roosevelt transformed the Presidency.
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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Background/Homework Handout A: Theodore Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit 1) What did Roosevelt mean by bully pulpit? 2) How did Roosevelt change the way other countries viewed the United States. 3) What kinds of domestic reforms did Roosevelt propose to Congress? 4) The Founders believed powers not granted to the President in the Constitution were forbidden. Roosevelt believed powers not forbidden were granted. What are the implications of each?

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 (a wonderful place from which to preach) 3) What is the cartoonists opinion of the person in this image?

Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Warm-Up continued Listen to the audio recording of Roosevelts speech entitled Social and Industrial Justice (3 min 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 more recent Presidents or Presidential candidates? 3) How does this speech illustrate Roosevelts principle of the bully pulpit?
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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

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.

Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Activity continued Re-read Handout A to identify instances where President Roosevelt used the bully pulpit to urge action or reforms. Record your answers on Handout B.

1)

2)

What section of Article II in the Constitution President Teddy Roosevelt used to justify his power (if any)? How did his action transformed the Presidency?

Table illustrating answers are on the next slide.

Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

He explained the need he saw to regulate corporations engaged in interstate commerce.

Were these actions constitutional?

His taking on of consolidated companies under the Sherman Anti-Trust Act Advocated greater ability for the federal government to acquire land Helping revolutionaries in Panama

Article II, Section 3: Created the Department recommend to [Congress] of Labor and Commerce consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient. Art. II, Section 3he shall take He made the President a more care that the laws be faithfully prominent legislative advocate executed<

Negotiated an end to the Russo-Japanese War.

Art II, Sect 3 recommend to Congress consideration such measures as he shall judge necessary and expedient< Art II, Sect 2 The President shall be commander in chief of the Army and Navy of the United States< Art II, Sect 3 He shall receive ambassadors and other public ministers<

He made the President a more prominent legislative advocate

He engaged in military action without a declaration of war from Congress. became actively involved in the affairs of other nations.

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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Wrap-Up
1) Did Theodore Roosevelt exercise his presidential powers in a way that was consistent with the Constitution? 2) If not, what was extraconstitutional or even contraconstitutional about his actions? 3) How did Roosevelt transform the Presidency? Was this change for better or worse?

Teddy Roosevelt Economic Liberty political cartoon

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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Homework
At the Constitutional Convention, Edmund Randolph regarded a single executive as a fetus of monarchy; James Wilson countered that unity in the executive<would be the best safeguard against tyranny. Assess each of these predictions in light of Theodore Roosevelts actions as President.

Edmund Randolph (left) and James Wilson (right)

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Teddy Roosevelt and the Bully Pulpit

Extension

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

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