Inventing the American presidency - Kenneth C. Davis

TL;DR

The framers in 1787 struggled to create the executive branch, deciding on a president's role and powers.

Transcript

Transcriber: Andrea McDonough Reviewer: Bedirhan Cinar The Oval Office, Inauguration Day, Rose Garden signings, and secret service agents with dark sunglasses and cool wrist radios. For a moment, forget all of it. Toss out everything you know about the President. Now, start over. What would you do if you had to invent the President? That was the qu... Read More

Key Insights

• 😀 The framers of the Constitution faced challenges in deciding the structure and powers of the executive branch.
• 🧑‍💼 Compromises, such as electors choosing the president and Congress having a role in the decision, were made to establish the office.
• 🇺🇸 The framers rejected a king-like figure to prevent a monarchy from forming in the United States.
• 🧑‍🏭 The idea of the presidency was shaped by the need for a decisive leader who could act quickly in times of crisis.

Questions & Answers

Q: What were the key questions the framers debated when creating the executive branch?

The framers debated whether one man or three should hold power, how long the president should serve, his duties, selection process, and methods for removal if necessary.

Q: Why did the framers reject the idea of having a king-like figure in charge?

The framers had fought against a country with a monarch and feared that granting unchecked power to one man could lead to tyranny and the potential takeover of the country.

Q: How were compromises made in the creation of the presidency in 1787?

Compromises included counting slaves as 3/5 of a person for representation, giving the president control of the army but Congress the power to declare war, and allowing unlimited four-year terms.

Q: Why did the framers decide on a president chosen by electors instead of the people or legislature?

The framers believed that electors, being wise and informed, would make a better decision than the easily misled people or the potentially corrupt legislature.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• In 1787, framers in Philadelphia debated over creating the executive branch for a new American government.

• They questioned whether to have one man or three in charge, the length of service, selection process, and powers of the president.

• Compromises were made to establish the presidency, shaping its role in government.