CHAPTER 14:3:Diplomatic and Military Power

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1 CHAPTER 14:3:Diplomatic and Military Power

2 Chapter 14:3 Objectives: o Students will analyze the scope and exercise of the President s diplomatic powers. o Students will analyze the scope and exercise of the President s military power.

3 2Ch_32:31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

4 CHAPTER 14:3 Power To Make Treaties: o A treaty is a formal agreement between two or more sovereign states. o The President, usually acting through the secretary of state, negotiates these international agreements. o The Senate must give its approval, by a two-thirds vote of the members present, before a treaty made by the President can become effective.

5 CHAPTER 14:3 Power To Make Treaties: o The two-thirds rule creates the possibility that a relatively small minority in the Senate can kill a treaty. o President can countermeasure by going forth with a joint-resolution, a move that required only a majority vote in each house in such as the Hawaiian and Texas annexation.

6 EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS: o Pacts between the President and the heads of foreign states, or their subordinates. o Unlike treaties, executive agreements do not require Senate consent.

7 EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS: o Most executive agreements either flow out of legislation already passed by Congress or out of treaties to which the Senate has agreed. o The President can make these executive agreements without any congressional action or approval.

8 EXECUTIVE AGREEMENTS: o For example, The U.S. gave the British 50 over-age destroyers in return for 99-year leases to several island bases extending from Newfoundland to the Caribbean.

9 THE POWER OF RECOGNITION: o When the President receives the diplomatic representatives of another sovereign state, the President exercises the power of recognition. o That is, the President, acting for the United States, acknowledged the legal existence of that country and its government. o The President indicates that the United States accepts that country as an equal in the family of nations.

10 THE POWER OF RECOGNITION: o Recognition does not mean that one government approves of the character and conduct of another. o The United States recognizes several governments about which it has serious misgivings among the most notable being Russia.

11 THE POWER OF RECOGNITION: o The President may show the United States displeasure with the conduct of another country by asking for the recall of that nation s ambassador or other diplomatic representatives in this country. o The official recalled is declared to be personal non grata an unwelcome person.

12 THE POWER OF RECOGNITION: o A similar message can be sent by the recalling of an American diplomat from a post in another country. o The withdrawal of recognition is the sharpest diplomatic rebuke one government may give to another and has often been a step on the way to war.

14 THE PRESIDENT AND THE MILITARY: o The Constitution makes the President the commander in chief of the nation s armed forces. o Even though Congress shares the war powers, the President s position in military affairs is as dominant as it is in the field of foreign affairs. o In fact, it does not stretch the matter too far to say that the President s powers as commander in chief are almost without limit.

16 THE PRESIDENT AND THE MILITARY: o George Washington and Lincoln were hands on. o Most Presidents have not become so directly involved in military operations. o Still, the President always has the final authority over and responsibility for any and all military matters. o The most critical decisions are invariably made by the commander in chief. o For example it was President Truman made the fateful decision to drop the bomb on Japan.

18 War time powers: o President s power as commander in chief are far greater during a war than they are in more normal times. o For example, in World War II, Congress gave the President the power to do such things as ration food and gasoline, control wages and prices, and seize and operate certain private industries. o President may also use armed forces to keep the domestic peace.

19 War Time Resolutions 1973: o 1973, Passed during the Nixon administration to address present and undeclared wars like Vietnam. o Nixon attempted to veto it but it was overruled. o President Nixon vetoed the measure calling it both unconstitutional and dangerous to the best interest of the nation. o Congress overrode the veto.

20 War Time Resolutions 1973: o (1) Within 48 hours, after committing American forces to combat abroad, the President must report to Congress, detailing the circumstances and scope of his actions. o (2) That combat commitment must end within 60 days unless Congress agrees to a longer period. o The 60-day deadline may be extended for up to 30 days, however to allow for the safe withdrawal of the American forces involved.

21 War Time Resolutions 1973: o (3) Congress may bring an end to the combat commitment at any time, by passing a concurrent resolution to that effect. o The constitutionality of the War Powers resolution remains in dispute.

23 Discussion Questions: Should the president be able to use military force without consulting Congress? What would you do if you were president and was faced with a tough decision like using military force for a crisis? What would you do before making such a decision?

Commander in Chief - War powers

Commander in Chief - War powers The Constitution makes the President the commander in chief of the nation s armed forces. Making Undeclared War Many Presidents have used the armed forces abroad without