Educating Young People about the Constitution

Presidents and the Constitution Advice and Consent: The President as Chief Diplomat

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources

The President shall have the power, by the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties, provided 2/3 of the Senators present agree. Article II, section 2. But what does advice and consent mean? And how has it come to pass that Presidents negotiate treaties and the Senate merely approves them. Is that right? Who should really have the power to make treaties? Directions: Read Gleaves Whitneys Essay on pages 94-96. Underline or highlight the facts you think are important.
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The President as Chief Diplomat

Constitutional Connection Activity

Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Critical Engagement Question How did President Jimmy Carter achieve Senate ratification of the unpopular treaties transferring the Panama Canal Zone from the United States back to Panama?

Miraflores Locks at the Panama Canal

Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Objectives Understand the issues at stake between the United States and Panama in the Panama Canal Treaty Trace President approach to the questions and controversies that resulted from the Panama Canal Treaty. Analyze the roles of the executive and legislative branches in the treaty making-Process. Evaluate the effectiveness of Carters efforts.
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Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Background/Homework Handout A: Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty 1. What were Carters goals for foreign affairs? 2. What were the reasons for Panamanian opposition to U.S. ownership of the Panama Canal Zone, and why were these reasons important to Carter? 3. How did President Carter influence public opinion? 4. How did President Carter get the advice of the Senate? 5. How would you assess his approach to advise and consent of the Senate?

Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Warm-Up Research the Panama Canal Treaty of 1977 and prepare for a mock debate. You will need Senators in favor of the Treaty, Senators opposed, and a President.

Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Activity Mock debaters should share their ideas with their like-minded colleagues. Senators should argue the best reasons for and against the treaty. Presidents should summarize the advice they received from the Senators and decide how to a) address the Senators concerns and b) conduct future conversations with Torrijos.

President Carter Addressing a joint session of Congress. 1978

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Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Wrap Up Vote on the Treaty. (Treaty ratification requires 2/3 majority) Discuss the roles of the executive and legislative branches in the treaty making process. Even though a treaty must be approved by the Senate, history holds the President responsible for the outcome of the treaty negotiations. Why is that?

Jimmy Carter and Omar Torrijos signing the Panama Canal Treaty.

Jimmy Carter and the Panama Canal Treaty

Homework Create a T-chart to respond to the questions: 1) What did President Jimmy Carter do effectively in the advise and consent part of the Panama Treaty Process? 2) What aspects of his approach, if any, needed improvement?

President Carters Statement on the Panama Canal Treaty Signing September 7, 1977

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