Chapter Introduction
Section 1: The President and
Vice President
Section 2: The President’s
Job
Section 3: Making Foreign
Policy
Section 4: Presidential
Advisers and
Executive Agencies
Visual Summary
The Framers did not state
specifically in the Constitution
what the role of the president
should be. The nation’s first
president, George
Washington, established
many traditions that shaped
the presidency. Every
president since Washington
has followed and built upon
these traditions, refining the
president’s role within the
government.
Section 1: The President
and Vice President
The Constitution gives the
executive branch the power
to execute, or implement,
the law. The president holds
one of the most powerful and
important elective offices in
the world.
Section 2:
The President’s Job
The Constitution gives the
executive branch the power
to execute, or implement,
the law. The president fills
many different roles.
Section 3:
Making Foreign Policy
Under our federal system,
the executive, legislative,
and judicial branches share
the responsibility of
governing the nation. The
president and Congress have
important roles in making
foreign policy.
Section 4: Presidential
Advisers and Executive
Agencies
The Constitution gives the
executive branch the power
to execute, or implement,
the law. Thousands of
employees and advisers help
the president.
Guide to Reading
Big Idea
The Constitution gives the executive
branch the power to execute, or
implement, the law.
Guide to Reading
Content Vocabulary
• Electoral College
• elector
Academic Vocabulary
• display
• outcome
Do you agree that the Electoral
College should elect the president?
A. Agree
B. Disagree
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
The Office of the President
As the head of the executive branch of
our federal government, the president
holds one of the most powerful and
important elective offices in the world.
The Office of the President (cont.)
• The president of the United States leads
the executive branch of the United States’
government.
The Office of the President (cont.)
• Qualifications listed in the Constitution
– At least 35 years old
– Native-born American citizen
– Resident of the U.S. for at least 14 years
The Office of the President (cont.)
• Electoral College
– Electors cast votes to select the
president
– Number of votes based on number of
Congressional seats
– Most states use a “winner-take-all”
system for winner of popular
vote
Presidential Succession
The Office of the President (cont.)
• Four-year presidential term; limit of two
terms
• Salary and benefits:
– Annual salary of $400,000
– White House and Camp David
– Air Force One for travel
The Office of the President (cont.)
• Vice president:
– Elected with the president
– Becomes president if the president
resigns or dies in office
Why is the Electoral College used to
determine the winner in presidential
elections?
C. It prevents cheating during
an election.
A
B. It ensures that states with
larger populations have a
say in who is elected.
B
A. A
B. B
C. C
0%
0%
0%
C
A. It ensures that states with
smaller populations have
a say in who is elected.
Presidential Succession
The office of the president has an
established order of succession.
Presidential Succession (cont.)
• The Constitution sets up a line of
succession in case the president dies or is
forced to leave office.
Presidential Succession (cont.)
• Twenty-fifth Amendment:
– Vice president takes over as president
– Names all the positions in line for the
presidency
Do you think there should be another
presidential election rather than have
the vice-president take over as
president?
A. Yes
A. A
B. B
A
0%
0%
B
B. No
Guide to Reading
Big Idea
The Constitution gives the executive
branch the power to execute, or
implement, the law.
Guide to Reading
Content Vocabulary
• executive
order
• pardon
• reprieve
• amnesty
Academic Vocabulary
• require
• impact
• policy
Do you think that the president
should be the official commander of
all branches of the armed forces?
A. Yes
B. No
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
Constitutional Powers
The source for the president’s authority
is Article II of the Constitution.
Constitutional Powers (cont.)
• The powers of the president are outlined in
Article II of the Constitution.
• Only federal office elected by entire nation
Constitutional Powers (cont.)
• Presidential powers outlined in Constitution:
– Veto legislation
– Call Congress into special session
– Commander in chief of the armed forces
– Receive foreign leaders
– Make treaties
Constitutional Powers (cont.)
– Appoint heads of agencies, judges,
ambassadors, and other officials
– Pardon or reduce federal sentences
• Consults with and gives information to
Congress
Which of the following is the most important
presidential power?
A. Commanding the
armed forces
0%
D
0%
A
D. Appointing members
of the president’s cabinet
A
B
C
0%
D
C
C. Making treaties
A.
B.
C.
0%
D.
B
B. Rejecting bills
passed by Congress
Roles of the President
The president fills many roles that are
important to the functioning of the
United States government.
Roles of the President (cont.)
• The president serves several major
functions including the chief executive, the
head of the armed forces, and legislative
leader.
Roles of the President (cont.)
• Chief executive:
– Carries out the nation’s laws using
cabinet and millions of federal
employees
– Executive order
– Appoints Supreme Court justices and
other federal judges
Roles of the President (cont.)
• Grants pardons, reprieves, and amnesty
• Directs foreign policy
Roles of the President (cont.)
• Commander in chief:
– Official commander of all branches of
the armed forces
– Shares power to declare war with
Congress
Roles of the President (cont.)
• Legislative leader:
– President pushes legislation that furthers
the president’s goals
Roles of the President (cont.)
• Other roles:
– Head of state
– Economic leader
– Party leader
Do you agree that issuing an
executive order conflicts with the
legislative powers of Congress?
A. Agree
B. Disagree
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
Guide to Reading
Big Idea
Under our federal system, the
executive, legislative, and judicial
branches share the responsibility of
governing the nation.
Guide to Reading
Content Vocabulary
• foreign policy
• ambassador
• national
security
• trade sanction
• treaty
• embargo
• executive
agreement
Academic Vocabulary
• method
• target
Do you think that the United States
should have the same policy towards
all foreign countries?
A. Yes
B. No
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
The President and Foreign Policy
As commander in chief and chief
diplomat, the president leads the
nation’s armed forces and directs U.S.
foreign policy.
The President and Foreign Policy (cont.)
• The president’s job includes establishing
foreign policy, which can involve the use
of diplomacy, military power, or both.
• Often centered on national security
• Makes Treaties and executive
agreements based on economics or
mutual defense
The President and Foreign Policy (cont.)
• Appointing ambassadors as
representatives to other countries
• Facilitating or blocking international trade
through trade sanctions or embargos
What is the most effective foreign policy tool
the president can use?
A. Signing a mutual defense
treaty with a country
0%
D
C
D. Encouraging democracy
in a country
B
C. Establishing trade sanctions
against a country
A. A
B. B
C.0%C 0%
0%
D. D
A
B. Appointing an ambassador
to a country
Guide to Reading
Big Idea
The Constitution gives the executive
branch the power to execute, or
implement, the law.
Guide to Reading
Content Vocabulary
• cabinet
• federal
bureaucracy
• independent
agency
• government
corporation
• political
appointee
• civil service
worker
• civil service
system
• spoils system
• merit system
Guide to Reading
Academic Vocabulary
• monitor
• role
What is the most important function
of the executive branch?
A. National security at
home and abroad
B. Social programs for the
disadvantaged
C. Business development
D. Controlling the national
budget
0%
A
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
A
B
C0%
D
C
0%
D
Organization of the Federal Branch
The executive branch is made up of the
top advisers and assistants who help
the president carry out major duties.
Organization of the Federal Branch (cont.)
• The president appoints many advisers and
assistants to help carry out the duties of
the executive branch.
Organization of the Federal Branch (cont.)
• Executive office
– Headed by White House Chief of Staff
– Contains powerful advisers
Organization of the Federal Branch (cont.)
• Office of Management and Budget
prepares the federal budget
• National Security Council helps with military
and foreign policy
• Office of Administration performs
administrative tasks
• Council of Economic Advisers addresses
employment, tax policy, inflation, and foreign
trade
Do you think it is necessary to have
so many departments in the
executive branch?
A. Yes
B. No
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
The Cabinet
The cabinet is an advisory group
chosen by the president to help
accomplish the work of the executive
branch.
The Cabinet (cont.)
• The president’s main advisers belong to
the cabinet, which is made up of the
people who head the major areas of the
executive branch.
The Executive Office of the President
The Cabinet (cont.)
• Cabinet comprises of the heads of 14
departments:
– Meets as president needs
– Some presidents rely heavily on
Cabinet, others less so
The President’s Cabinet
The Cabinet (cont.)
• Increased roles of vice presidents and
First Ladies
– Recent presidents have given more
responsibility to vice presidents
– First Ladies often promote specific social
issues
Do you agree that the president
should not be required to act on the
advice of his cabinet advisers?
A. Agree
B. Disagree
A. A
B. B
0%
B
A
0%
The Federal Bureaucracy
The federal bureaucracy has grown
over the years and assumes an
important role in making public policy.
The Federal Bureaucracy (cont.)
• The agencies that make up the federal
bureaucracy are responsible for the
operation of the federal government.
• Implements new laws and decide how they
apply to daily life
• Administers the day-to-day operations of
the federal government
The Federal Bureaucracy (cont.)
• Regulates the activities of businesses and
individuals
• Includes hundreds of independent
agencies
– Executive agencies work with
specialized areas
– Government corporations
– Regulatory boards and commissions
The Federal Bureaucracy (cont.)
• Political appointees
• Civil service system based on merit
system
What is the most important function of the
civil service system?
A. To eliminate the
spoils system
0%
D
A
B
C0%
D
C
D. To enact the merit system
0%
A
C. To hire and promote
government workers
in a fair way
A.
B.
0%
C.
D.
B
B. To ensure qualified
government workers
The Presidency
• The president is head of the executive branch of
the federal government and is our nation’s top
political leader.
• The source for the president’s
authority is Article II of the
Constitution, which says
that “the executive power
shall be vested in the
president of the United
States of America.”
Electing the President
• Presidents are elected through an indirect method
called the Electoral College.
Responsibilities
• According to the Constitution,
the president’s main job is to
carry out the laws passed by
Congress.
• As head of the executive
branch of government,
the president must make
decisions that affect the
lives of all Americans.
Roles of the President
In carrying out the responsibilities of the office, the
president must play a number of different roles.
These roles are:
• Chief executive
• Chief diplomat
• Commander in chief
• Legislative leader
• Head of state
• Economic leader
• Party leader
Tools of Foreign Policy
The president and Congress use many tools to carry
out American foreign policy. These tools include:
• Treaties and executive agreements
• Appointing ambassadors
• Foreign aid
• International
trade
• Military force
Organization of the Federal
Government
• President
• Vice President
• Executive Office of
the President
• Executive departments
• Federal bureaucracy
Electoral College
a group of people named by each
state legislature to select the
president and vice president
elector
person appointed to vote in
presidential elections for the major
candidates
display
to put in plain view
outcome
the result of an action or event
executive order
a rule or command that has the force
of law
pardon
a declaration of forgiveness and
freedom from punishment
reprieve
an order to delay a person’s
punishment until a higher court can
hear the case
amnesty
a pardon to a group of people
require
to have a need for or to order
impact
to influence or effect
policy
a guiding course of action
foreign policy
a nation’s overall plan for dealing with
other nations
national security
the ability to keep the country safe
from attack or harm
treaty
a formal agreement between the
governments of two or more countries
executive agreement
an agreement between the president
and the leader of another country
ambassador
an official representative of a
country’s government
trade sanction
an effort to punish another nation by
imposing trade barriers
embargo
an agreement among a group of
nations that prohibits them all from
trading with a target nation
method
a procedure or process of doing
something
target
a goal or aim
cabinet
a group of advisers to the president
that includes the heads of 14 top-level
executive departments
federal bureaucracy
the collective agencies and
employees of the executive branch
independent agency
federal board or commission that is
not part of any cabinet department
government corporation
a business owned and operated by
the federal government
political appointee
a person appointed to a federal
position by the president
civil service worker
person hired into a federal position
civil service system
the practice of hiring government
workers on the basis of open,
competitive examinations and merit
spoils system
rewarding people with government
jobs on the basis of their political
support
merit system
hiring people into government jobs on
the basis of their qualifications
monitor
to watch or observe
role
the function of a person or thing
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