Author Description

The Constitution of the United States, ratified by the original colonies, establishes an efficient system of checks and balances between the three branches of the American government. Not since World War II (WWII) has the US Congress acted with the authority of the constitution and declared war upon an enemy of the United States. Yet from the years after WWII to present, many presidents have expanded the power of the Office of the President by usurping the authority of Congress and engaging in acts of war... the purpose of this paper is to demonstrate that several Presidents have expanded the authority of the Office of the President to the point that an American President can commit this country to war without Congressional support.