Can President Obama attack Syria
legally without Congressional
Permission?
Document Based Question Pack #1
Constitutional Rules- Legislative
Branch
• Article I, Section 8, Clause 11- [The Congress
shall have Power...] To declare War, grant
Letters of Marque and Reprisal, and make
Rules concerning Captures on Land and Water;
• 1.) What does this Article of the Constitution
say (in your words)?
Constitutional Powers-Executive
Branch
• Article 2 Section 2: Clause 1: The President shall be
Commander in Chief of the Army and Navy of the United States, and of
the Militia of the several States, when called into the actual Service of
the United States; he may require the Opinion, in writing, of the
principal Officer in each of the executive Departments, upon any Subject
relating to the Duties of their respective Offices…
• 2.) What does this Clause of the Constitution say (in your own words)?
• 3.) Why do you think the Constitution gives the power to declare war to
the branch it does?
The Patriot Act- 2001
• The Authorization for Use of Military Force (AUMF), by the United States
Congress on September 14, 2001, authorizes the use of United States
Armed Forces against those responsible for the attacks on September 11,
2001. The authorization granted the President the authority to use all
"necessary and appropriate force" against those whom he determined
"planned, authorized, committed or aided" the September 11th attacks, or
who harbored said persons or groups. The AUMF was signed by President
George W. Bush on September 18, 2001.
4.) Could President Obama try to use the Patriot Act as the basis for attacking
Syria? Why or why not?
5.) Could the acts of Syria’s government be considered a terrorist act? Why or
why not?
Testimony in front of Congress on Syria
• Read this recent newspaper article in the
Huffington Post:
• http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/16/
war-powers-obamaadministration_n_3288420.html
• 6.) What argument did the US military give to Congress about
an attack on Syria?
• 7.) How could Congress act to stop this?
Public Opinion on military action in
Syria.
Do not know
Favor
Oppose
0
10
20
30
40
50
8. How would this chart possibly influence Congress’ voting for military action in Syria?
Why?
Assignment
Choose one of the following:
1.) Using the information from the DBQ, create an outline
format for an essay that explains your position on
military action on Syria. Be sure to use at least 3
references from the DBQ. Outside information
should/can be added
Or
2.) Create a poster that shows your viewpoint on military
action in Syria. Be sure to include at least 3 relevant
facts from the DBQ. Artistic ability is a necessity for this
assignment, so I advise to study either protest or
support rally photos to get a good idea.