#As commander in chief the president is series

Federalists maintained that the President would be accountable to both the people and Congress.

They argued that the former had limited power, checked by the two other branches whereas the latter had almost unlimited power. Federalists contrasted the American Presidency with the British Monarchy. For Federalists, America needed a separate President with executive powers to enforce federal laws and conduct foreign policy effectively. They pointed to the weaknesses of the Confederation and state governments with their nearly powerless executives. They further feared that presidential power to grant pardons would allow the president to conspire with others in treasonable activities with impunity.įederalist praised the Presidency. No restrictions were placed on the President’s eligibility for reelection.ĭuring the ratification debates, Antifederalists charged that the President would become an elected monarch, that cabals would develop to ensure his reelection, and that the presidential veto power would be abused. A compromise eventually provided that the President would be elected for a four-year term by electors chosen in a manner prescribed by the state legislatures. Others favored direct election by the people for a shorter term with no term limits. Some wanted the President to be elected by Congress for a long term, but ineligible for reelection. Greater disagreements persisted on the manner of electing the executive. Soon after it convened, the Constitutional Convention agreed to have a single executive as opposed to a plural executive which was favored by a few delegates who feared the reinstitution of a monarchy. The Debate Over the President and the Executive Branch.

#As commander in chief the president is series

Word Portraits of America’s Founders Series.Ratification of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.Merrill Jensen Lectures in Constitutional Studies Series.Documentary History of the Ratification of the Constitution.Documentary History of the First Federal Elections.Judicial Seminars and Community Programs.Founders’ Vision for America: Student Essay Contest.Video Series on the American Founding Period.Maps of the Ratification of the Constitution.Foundational Documents of American Constitutionalism.European Assessments of the Constitution.Constitutional Debates: Federalist and Antifederalist Essays.