Presidential Decision-Making in U.S. History

1. PRESIDENTIAL DECISIONS U.S. History Regents Review

2. Why is President Bush “The Decider? • President Bush called himself this while defending Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld

3. How does the President make decisions? • He takes advice from members of his cabinet and the White House Staff. • Laws must be passed by Congress. • Executive Orders can be issued with approval. • Treaties must be ratified by the Senate.

4. Background During Washington’s administration, the French Revolution was taking place. The Napoleonic Wars led to fighting between Britain and France. The United States was a young nation with a new Constitution after the failed Articles of Confederation. Decision Washington believed it was in our best interests to avoid foreign affairs. He felt that the nation was not prepared to take sides. He faced opposition from his Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson who believed that we should support the French who helped us during the American Revolution. George Washington – Proclamation of Neutrality

5. Background New Orleans was an important city to ship agricultural goods west of the Appalachian Mountains. Jefferson wanted to acquire the port from the French while Napoleon was looking to raise money to fight his wars in Europe. Decision Jefferson sent Robert Livingston to negotiate a treaty with France. Napoleon offered over 828,000 square miles for $15 million. This purchase doubled the size of the United States. Since Jefferson was a strict interpreter of the Constitution, he had to change his views for this purchase. Jefferson sent Lewis and Clark to explore the region. Thomas Jefferson – Louisiana Purchase

6. Background Slavery had been a major source of political, economic and social conflict in the U.S. for several decades. (Please include any information you know about the abolitionist movement) Slavery and states’ rights were the two primary causes of the Civil War. Lincoln’s goal, however, was to preserve the Union. Decision During the Civil War, Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation. It stated that on Jan. 1, 1863, all slaves living in states in rebellion would be freed. This did NOT include the border states (Md, De, Mi, Ky). Had he done so, these states likely would have joined the Confederacy, severely damaging Lincoln’s war strategy. Slavery was eventually abolished with the 13th amendment. Abraham Lincoln – The Emancipation Proclamation

7. Background On Dec. 7, 1941 Japan attacked the U.S. military base in Pearl Harbor (Hawaii). FDR responded by declaring war against Japan, Italy and Germany. Decision FDR issued Executive Order 9066 which led to the forcible relocation of over 100,000 Japanese-Americans. (Spies?) Individuals were placed in detention centers and internment camps with deplorable conditions. People had to give up most of their possessions. Germans and Italians were not subject to the same treatment. Korematsu vs. U.S. – The Supreme Court declared these camps to be constitutional (national security). 1988 Pres. Reagan formally apologized and provided reparations for survivors. Franklin Delano Roosevelt – Japanese Internment

8. Background After the Civil War, the South passed Jim Crow laws which led to segregation. 1896 Plessy vs. Ferguson – declared segregation constitutional as long as facilities were “separate but equal.” 1954 Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka, Kansas – overturned Plessy decision; segregation was unconstitutional. Decision In 1957, nine black students, known as the Little Rock Nine, were denied entrance by Governor Orval Faubus. Eisenhower called in 1,200 federal troops to escort these students into school. This demonstrated that Eisenhower was willing to support the civil rights movement. Dwight D. Eisenhower – Little Rock Central High School