ipl-logo

Pacificus-Helvidius Debate Analysis

868 Words4 Pages

The Pacificus-Helvidius debate was sparked by George Washington’s “Proclamation of Neutrality.” It was according to this proclamation that America declared its neutrality in the Franco-British conflict. It also set into law the punishment of any American who would provide assistance to either side during said conflict. Pacificus held the belief that this was an unconstitutional extension of powers as well as illegitimate due to a an early alliance with France. Helvidius and I agree, the “Proclamation of Neutrality” was constitutional and legitimate as well as grounded in the Federalist Papers. It is first prudent to mention that the separation of powers was very much intentional; despite this the separation is not perfect and there will be some overlap. With this in mind it is possible that both the senate and executive have concurrent powers in regard to foreign treaties. For example, “the President is to have power, with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided two thirds of the senators present concur.” (Federalist 69) While the President may make treaties it must be met with congressional approval; this is one of many measures to ensure the Presidential powers do not …show more content…

It seems that while this overlap is present in war powers the distinction can be made between the powers of war and peace. As shown by Federalist 69 the legislature has the powers to declare war while the executive has the prerogative to maintain peace. As such the legislature acts slowly and deliberatively which is best for a larger body. In stark contrast, the executive acts quickly and decisively allowing it to respond to changing climates and necessitating a single authority or President. It seems in the case of the “Proclamation of Neutrality” that the executive is acting exactly as intended by preserving peace and acting

Show More
Related
723 Words | 3 Pages

The British government’s desire for territorial and sociopolitical dominance has been observed, and abhorred, by other nations and territories throughout the world’s history. In the eighteenth century, with the British incessantly exploiting the American colonies, the colonists quickly grew distrustful of and resentful toward their domineering leader across the ocean. In 1776, a year following the beginning of the Revolutionary War, this ill treatment motivated Thomas Jefferson to pen a document that has become known as the Declaration of Independence. The influential founding father provocatively besought the support of the French government in the ongoing war between England. It was Jefferson’s hope that the text would persuade France to

Read More
669 Words | 3 Pages

Everyone played a very important role in the Constitutional Convention or the signing of the Declaration of Independence. The Constitutional Convention is rather known for attempting to modify the Articles of Confederation, but the delegates came up with the Virginia Plan which divided the powers within 3 branches of government. The signing of the Declaration of Independence is the most significant event in American History. What many may know as 13 of the 50 states of America before were 13 colonies of the British Empire. The Declaration of Independence was a document stating that they are no longer a part of the British Empire, who which they were at war with at the time.

Read More
164 Words | 1 Pages

In regards to America’s relations with Great Britain, my opinions lay strong. In July of 1775, Congress had implemented the Olive Branch Petition, which was persuaded openly to King George lll and expressed confidence for peace between the colonies and Great Britain. Dickinson, who anticipated anxiously to prevent a closing cessation with Britain, verbalized colonial antagonism to British policy in a way that prompted Congress to try to alert the king that American colonists were unfortunate with ministerial policy, not his own. Congress’ language was vital to considering the groundbreaking swing that had prevailed in American thought in such a short amount of time. The militia that had fired upon British Redcoats had been irritated with Parliament,

Read More
1305 Words | 6 Pages

War is raging on all fronts. The United States is holding true to its neutrality in World War I. As the war continues, growing suspicions creep into the households of everyday American people. The pressures of Germany are a growing problem for the United States. Germany ultimately forced the U.S. to declare war on them.

Read More
989 Words | 4 Pages

In his book, Ernest May sets out to show a new perspective of what influenced the creation of the Monroe Doctrine. While reviewing the writings of John Quincy Adams, May was struck with the question of why the Monroe Doctrine was crafted, thus prompting his research into the policy (viii). With France attempting to restore the monarchy in Spain and the establishment of the Holy Alliance, the United States needed to solidify its foreign policy. May begins his book by describing the events surrounding Great Britain’s offer to the United States to have a unified response to expansion into the Americas. He then outlies the major players of the formation of the policy, including President James Monroe, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams, Secretary

Read More
774 Words | 4 Pages

declares neutrality Washington prioritizes country’s stability in its early years, know that getting involved in “foreign entanglements” would be detrimental to its success. Became a topic of conflict between the political parties: disagreements on whether or not to get involved Citizen Genet affair presents a challenge to American neutrality: French ambassador to the U.S. Edmund Genet hatches plots within the states to promote involvement in the French Revolution Jay Treaty: November 1794 British Royal Navy’s announcement that it will attack any ships engaged in trade with the French → forces Washington to pause all international trade Treaty negotiated by American ambassador to Britain John Jay helped to decrease harsh British policing of overseas

Read More
1539 Words | 7 Pages

Whilst examining the documents Woodrow Wilson, an Address to the Joint Session of Congress, 1917 and George Norris, 'A Speech in the Senate,' 1917, I have arrived at the conjecture that Woodrow Wilson’s supplication was immeasurably more superior than that of George Norris’s. I have reached this conclusion for several reasons. The main reason being that Woodrow Wilson’s speech proved to be the better case because it eventually led to the United States to World War I while George Norris’s opinions stayed his opinion and ultimately did not affect the outcome of the American history.

Read More
1002 Words | 5 Pages

Comparing to the economic aspect, the Congress did have some control over the diplomacy aspect which includes “the power to declare war and make peace, to make treaties and alliances … [and] appoint the senior officers of the U.S army.” (Ginsberg, et. al. 2014:35) These powers, basically, were the extended version of previous Continental Congress’s power.

Read More
485 Words | 2 Pages

I agree with the Supreme Court on placing emphasizes on keeping the presidential power in check but respecting the doctrine of separation of powers. The Court has the power to hear cases that involve federal questions because the

Read More
590 Words | 3 Pages

Tyranny is when too much power is in the hands of one, a few, or the majority. Some prime examples of tyranny is when King George III was in power of great britain, the Khmer Rouge and the cambodian genocide, or slavery in the 1800s. Tyranny is even happening today with Kim jong un in north korea. The US Constitution guards against tyranny to protect our country and its people.

Read More
348 Words | 2 Pages

If assistance is needed the president can invoke the authority and enforce Laws. The implied powers the president has taken over time are the authorities to negotiate treaties and sign executive agreements.

Read More
231 Words | 1 Pages

The President of the United States has many powers. However there are a few limits and restraints that are in place to keep the president from too much power over certain matters. The president requires the consent and advice of the Senate on many subjects. An example of this is the failure of the Versailles Treaty in 1919. President Woodrow Wilson didn 't have the support of the Senate to negotiate a peace treaty.

Read More
298 Words | 2 Pages

The executive branch has the power to create executive agreements. It’s an agreement between a foreign government and the executive branch and it has the same biding force as a treaty. An executive agreement is not as formal as a treaty, but it does not need senate approval. According to the website, Nolabels.com it says that, “This prompted a policy innovation, the executive agreement, as a tool to enable the president and government diplomats to negotiate agreements with foreign governments without the lengthy, sometimes cumbersome and politicized process of seeking Senate approval.” Although an executive agreement still requires congressional approval, but as long as the executive agreement does not overtake the constitutional authority

Read More
1359 Words | 6 Pages

Even though the president does not have the power to declare war and his or her commanding power is limited to “Army and Navy”, the powers are usually expanded during wartimes. For example, President Lincoln and President Roosevelt have both expanded the power as commander in chief during wars (337). After the 9/11 attack, President George W. Bush declared that since he was the commander in chief, he had the power to make war and take any action that seemed fit in order to protect the citizens of the United States (338). The extreme claims of powers by Bush posed a potential threat to the system of balanced powers, however, it also shows how the position of commander in chief empowers the president largely in terms of foreign

Read More
642 Words | 3 Pages

Despite this, Congress can override a presidential veto, and therefore go against the presidents wishes. The president can also negotiate and sign treaties with other nations. He also appoints ambassadors, Supreme Court judges, cabinet members and all other officers of the United States. American presidents rarely control both Houses of Congress, the Senate and the House of Representatives, and presidents such as Clinton, Bush and Obama have all had to work with or against a partially hostile Congress. This has made it difficult for the

Read More

More about Pacificus-Helvidius Debate Analysis

Related Topics

Open Document