The executive power of the US President in respect of the limits of this power set by the US Congress has changed dramatically since the first President George Washington in 1789. There has been a general shift towards the strengthening of the President, especially in the 20th century. Also in times of national and international crisis and wars, Americans tend to rally around the flag and around their leading figure – the President. In this time the power of the President increased significantly, an example being during the Civil War (1861-65), during the Blockade of West Berlin (1948/49) or since 9/11 (2001). The Vietnam War especially changed America in many ways, not only politically, but also economically and socially.
The American engagement in the conflict in South-East-Asia lasted over two decades, four Presidents were involved and a huge amount of human and financial resources were invested to win the war. Results were for example stagflation in the US and in Europe, and a great distrust within American society towards their President.
In this essay I will try to focus on the actions of President Johnson and in particular President Nixon, both of which altered the executive powers of the presidency during the time of the Vietnam War. I will also take a look at some of the actions the Legislature took to limit the power of the Executive. The essay starts with the increase of power of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “Gulf of Tonkin Resolution” in 1965, and will continue with the increasing presidential power during the presidency of Richard Nixon. Finally it will end with some of the actions Congress took to limit the power of the President through the “War Powers Act” of 1973.
The book by Melvin Small “At the Water’s Edge” serves as the main source for this essay. Small describes the domestic issues of the Johnson and Nixon administration, and how the two Presidents were involved in fighting the war. The book “The Presidents” by Stephen Graubard gave me good information for a better understanding of the actions of Johnson and Nixon. Furthermore the books “American Government” by Dunn and Slann, “Government and Politics of the United States” by Bowles, “The basics of American Politics” by Wassermann and Ashbee’s and Ashford’s “US Politics Today” gave me a good understanding of American politics during the Vietnam Era.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Altering the Executive Powers of the US Presidency
- II. a) President Johnson
- II. b) President Nixon’s own War
- III. Conclusions
Objectives and Key Themes
This essay examines how the Vietnam War significantly altered the executive powers of the US Presidency. It focuses on the actions of Presidents Johnson and Nixon, analyzing their respective approaches to expanding presidential authority during the conflict. The essay also explores congressional responses aimed at limiting executive power in the wake of the war.
- Expansion of Presidential Power During Wartime
- The Role of Congress in Checking Executive Authority
- The Impact of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
- Secret Presidential Actions and their Consequences
- Congressional Attempts to Limit Executive Power Post-Vietnam
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This introductory chapter sets the stage by outlining the historical evolution of presidential power in the United States, emphasizing the tendency for executive authority to expand during times of crisis. It highlights the profound impact of the Vietnam War on American society and politics, and introduces the essay's central focus: examining the actions of Presidents Johnson and Nixon in altering the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches. The chapter establishes the key sources used in the research and briefly touches upon the continuing relevance of the issue of executive power in the post-9/11 era.
II. Altering the Executive Powers of the US Presidency: This chapter provides a general overview of the extensive powers vested in the US President, particularly the role of Commander-in-Chief. It discusses the historical precedent of expanded executive power during times of crisis, both domestic and foreign, drawing examples from various points in American history. The chapter lays the groundwork for a detailed examination of how Presidents Johnson and Nixon utilized and expanded these powers during the Vietnam War.
II. a) President Johnson: This section focuses on President Lyndon B. Johnson's actions during the Vietnam War, particularly the pivotal role of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. The chapter analyzes how this resolution granted Johnson extensive authority, effectively giving him a "carte blanche" to escalate the war. It examines the controversy surrounding the Gulf of Tonkin incident itself, questioning the veracity of the administration's claims. The chapter further explores Johnson's strained relationship with Congress and the erosion of trust between the executive and legislative branches as a consequence of his actions.
II. b) President Nixon’s own War: This section shifts its focus to President Richard Nixon's approach to the Vietnam War and his expansion of executive power. It contrasts Nixon's methods with those of Johnson, highlighting Nixon's belief in operating outside the traditional open system of American governance. The chapter details Nixon's secretive actions, including the delegation of foreign policy responsibilities to Henry Kissinger, secret bombing campaigns in Cambodia, and the use of wiretapping and other clandestine operations. The chapter also explores the resulting public backlash, congressional responses (like the Cooper-Church Amendment), and the ultimate impact of Nixon's actions on the balance of power and his presidency itself.
Keywords
Executive power, US Presidency, Vietnam War, Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, War Powers Act, Congress, Presidential authority, checks and balances, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, Henry Kissinger, secret actions, Watergate, imperial presidency, congressional oversight.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comprehensive Language Preview
What is the overall topic of this essay preview?
This essay preview examines how the Vietnam War significantly altered the executive powers of the US Presidency, focusing on the actions of Presidents Johnson and Nixon and congressional responses.
What are the main themes explored in this essay?
Key themes include the expansion of presidential power during wartime, the role of Congress in checking executive authority, the impact of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, secret presidential actions and their consequences, and congressional attempts to limit executive power post-Vietnam.
Which presidents are specifically analyzed in this essay?
The essay focuses on the actions of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Richard Nixon, comparing and contrasting their approaches to expanding presidential authority during the Vietnam War.
What key events or policies are discussed?
The essay discusses the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, its impact on presidential power, and the controversy surrounding it. It also analyzes secret presidential actions, such as Nixon's secret bombing campaigns and wiretapping, and the subsequent congressional responses, including the Cooper-Church Amendment.
What is the structure of the essay?
The essay is structured into an introduction, a main section analyzing the actions of Presidents Johnson and Nixon, and a conclusion. The main section is further divided into subsections focusing on each president's actions and their consequences.
What is the significance of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution is a central focus, as it granted President Johnson extensive authority to escalate the Vietnam War, effectively giving him a "carte blanche". The essay examines the controversy surrounding the incident and its impact on the relationship between the executive and legislative branches.
What were the congressional responses to the expansion of executive power?
The essay explores congressional attempts to limit executive power after the Vietnam War, highlighting the erosion of trust between the executive and legislative branches and the subsequent efforts to re-establish checks and balances.
What are the key terms associated with this essay?
Key terms include executive power, US Presidency, Vietnam War, Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, War Powers Act, Congress, Presidential authority, checks and balances, Richard Nixon, Lyndon B. Johnson, Henry Kissinger, secret actions, Watergate, imperial presidency, and congressional oversight.
What is the purpose of this preview?
This preview provides a comprehensive overview of the essay's content, including the table of contents, objectives and key themes, chapter summaries, and keywords. It aims to give the reader a clear understanding of the essay's scope and arguments.
What is the continuing relevance of this topic?
The preview briefly mentions the continuing relevance of the issue of executive power in the post-9/11 era, suggesting that the questions raised by the Vietnam War remain pertinent to contemporary discussions about the balance of power in the US government.
- Quote paper
- Daniel Rother (Author), 2006, How did the Vietnam War alter the Executive Powers of the Presidency?, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/72488
