https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u en-us 2018-02-08 13:40:03 UTC 2018-02-08 13:57:33 UTC hello@padlet.com rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229550974 The Constitution states that the president is Commander in Chief of the armed forces. Because of its vagueness, presidents have slowly increased their powers over the decades and expanded their role as commander in chief, and what they can do with that role.]]> 2018-02-08 13:41:11 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229550974 rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229552073 Congress holds limitations on the president to declare war, as they have to approve it, but that hasn't stopped presidents from sending troops on missions. Since the president has total control over the armed forces, they can use this advantage without actually making a public declaration of war.]]> 2018-02-08 13:43:08 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229552073 rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229554075 After President Lyndon Johnson deployed troops in Vietnam, arguably dragging on the conflict, Congress passed the War Powers Act, greatly reducing the president's power to wage war without Congress's consent. However, in recent years our military has become more engaged in special ops shadow wars, which are less public and don't require the president to seek Congress for approval.]]> 2018-02-08 13:46:50 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229554075 rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229555523 While Congress holds many advantages over the president when it comes to foreign policy, especially over treaties, the president still has two main advantages: access to information and decisive ability. ]]> 2018-02-08 13:49:30 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229555523 rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229556906 The president has access to a lot of info that many members of Congress do not. This is because various agencies, like the CIA, make certain info classified, only available for the presidents eyes. Presidents can then use this information to make important decisions, with uninformed Congress members finding it hard to challenge. ]]> 2018-02-08 13:52:16 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229556906 rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229558318 While Congress has to rely on a majority vote whenever they need to make a big decision, the key decision making in the executive branch lies in the president. This gives the president total control during times of emergency. ]]> 2018-02-08 13:54:51 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229558318 rblankenbeker https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229559124 These are pacts between the president and the head of a foreign government. They have the same legal status as treaties, but don't require Congressional consent, giving the president another advantage in foreign policy.]]> 2018-02-08 13:56:18 UTC https://padlet.com/rblankenbeker/xwpcgq2oej9u/wish/229559124