How Did The Us Use Constitutional Powers In Foreign Policy

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The president of the United States of America has few constitutional powers in foreign policy. First, the president has the power to negotiate treaties with other nations. Second, the president has the power to mediate disputes between other nations. Third, the president has the power to proclaim friendships with new governments. And finally, the president has the power to work covertly to undermine these friendships with those same governments. With all the powers the Constitution gives the president it also gave Congress the power to reject some of the president's power. These powers that Congress has includes being able to refuse to ratify treaties, discouraging foreign arms sales and prohibiting covert activities. Article II, Section 2, …show more content…

One way was when President George H. W. Bush put his reputation on the line to secure his support for the Gulf War policy. Another way that the president used his foreign policy powers was during the time from Pearl Harbor (1941) to the end of the Vietnam War (1973), the president dominated the foreign policy. But the unpopularity of the Vietnam War made an end to the era of presidential domination. However years later the president got support back once America was threatened in 2001. When President George W. Bush received overwhelming congressional support for his plan to invade Iraq. However when the perceived threat recedes and public support for military actions being to crumble, presidents are often left on their own to defend their actions. Another way that a president has used his power was in 2011, when President Obama ignored the Wars Powers Resolution and did not seek congressional approval after sixty days for troops he sent to Libya. More presidents that used their powers were President Franklin D. Roosevelt and President Harry S. Truman when they negotiated the United Nations Treaty (1945) and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization

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