Expansion of presidential power: advanced

Use the passage below to answer the following question.

“Both Lincoln and Roosevelt undertook acts they knew to be beyond the Constitution. Both did so in times of transcendent crisis when the life of the nation seemed truly at stake. Both acted, knowingly or not, on Locke’s doctrine of emergency prerogative, trusting that Congress would eventually approve their actions.”

-Arthur Schlesinger, The Imperial Presidency, 1973

Which of the following statements best summarizes the author’s argument?

(Choice A)
When presidents have attempted to take more power, Congress has constrained them
(Choice B)
Presidents have enhanced the power of the presidency through the creation of new executive agencies
(Choice C)
Presidents have enhanced their constitutional powers beyond what is expressed in the Constitution in order to deal with major crises
(Choice D)
Presidents have always respected the separation of powers and have only taken more power when Congress approved

US government and civics

Course: US government and civics > Unit 2

Problem