Chapter 14 – The Presidency in Action
Digital Journal
Checking for Understanding
Directions: Students should illustrate their knowledge visually with a brief written description.
Student should demonstrate the following in their digital journal. Each question below should include at least one image and the written description should be in your own words. (Not a cut and paste from the Internet)
Students should use their downloaded class notes and / or homework assignments for assistance with this assignment.
Directions:
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Students will add to their Ch. 13 Journal using the same American President;
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Students will site real examples use of powers given to the President as stated in the
Constitution.
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Make sure to include an image of each event.
Executive Powers
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Ordinance Power/Executive Orders- all presidents have issued executive orders.
Find an interesting order your president issued and briefly explain.
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Appointment/Removal Powers
Did your president have the opportunity to appoint a Supreme Court Judge? If so include as your example. If your president did not, pick another Secretary/Leader of the cabinet that your president appointed. Or you can show if your president removed anyone from office.
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Executive Privilege-define what this means. Did your president ever use this privilege? Explain.
Diplomatic Powers
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Treaties- Most Presidents have been involved in important treaties with other countries. Find an example of a treaty your President signed and show visually & briefly explain. o Which branch must approve/ratify a treaty?
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Compare a treaty to an executive order. What is the main difference as discussed in class?
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Recognition of a new country is a diplomatic power. Did your president ever formally recognize a new country?
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Legislative Power
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The Power to convene Congress is a legislative power. Every year the President convenes congress to attend the “State of the Union Address”. Pick one year during your presidency and show an image of that year’s State of the Union.
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The President is involved in the law making process; he must veto or approve a bill (an idea for a law)- were there any bills that your president either signed into a law or vetoed and did NOT become a law?
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What is the difference between a veto and a pocket veto?
Judicial Powers
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The Pardoning Power- what does that mean? Did your President grant a pardon, reprieve or amnesty?
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Explain the difference between a pardon, amnesty and a reprieve.
Military Power
 President’s role as Commander-in-Chief. Give an example of when your president used the military in a war, crisis or any other situation.
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