Combatting Views of Presidential War Powers may be of interest to High School teachers of gifted or inquisitive students who have some knowledge of American Government. This unit will examine the power of the executive to "make war" with or without a formal declaration. Advanced Placement United States History students can build skills and review important material while participating in a current debate. By engaging students as historians, they may retain the information longer. Advanced Placement themes from the College Board will be woven into strategies and lessons concerning the American presidency and modern war powers. American Identity (American Exceptionalism), Globalization and War and Diplomacy are the AP US themes pertinent to this topic.

The purpose of this unit is to trace the war powers of the president from the development of the executive branch through the Cold War and into the modern era. This unit will examine primary sources: The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution(1964), The War Powers act (1973), Pacificus #1 & Helvidius #1&II and President Obama's Address on Libya 2011.

(Developed for AP U. S. History, grade 11; recommended for AP U. S. History and American History, grade 11; AP American Government and Politics, grades 11-12; and Civics/Introduction to Government, grade 9)