Bell Ringers

Bell Ringer: Congressional War Powers Throughout History

The Founders and War Powers

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) spoke about James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, and the Founders' interpretation of War Powers.

Description

Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT) spoke about Congress' war powers since America's founding through the present day with the Cato Institute.

Bell Ringer Assignment

  • CLIP 1: According to Senator Chris Murphy, to what point did James Madison "concede" to in the letter exchange with Alexander Hamilton? What did Madison caution against?
  • CLIP 1: Based on the clip, which branch did Madison say should "reserve" the power to interfere in the world? How did Madison describe the Office of the Presidency?
  • CLIP 1: What did Madison say about those who "conduct the war?"
  • CLIP 2: What does Murphy say about national security powers in the early United States? What examples does he provide?
  • CLIP 2: What "shift" does Murphy say has occurred into modern times? What statistics does he provide?
  • CLIP 3: According to Murphy, what methods have presidents used to "escape from Madison's requirement that war be declared by the people's branch of government?"
  • CLIP 3: How does Murphy say presidents "cement alliances" today?

Additional Resources

Participants

    Vocabulary

    • Alliance
    • Ascent
    • Congress
    • Constitution
    • Entanglement
    • Federalist Papers
    • First Barbary War (1801-1805)
    • Foreign Policy
    • Founding Fathers
    • Mutual Aid
    • President
    • Quasi War With France (1798-1801)
    • Treaty
    • War Authorization
    • Yemeni Civil War (2014)

    Topics

    Constitutional FoundationExecutive BranchLegislative BranchU.S. History

    Grades

    Middle SchoolHigh School