Presidential Powers

Explore the shifting powers of the chief executive throughout history.

Learning Activities

These learning materials facilitate a deep dive into important aspects of American legal history.

The Inquiry Packs are built around primary sources from the Library of Congress and designed to accompany the timeline above. Each pack includes a background reading, several primary sources (documents, articles, images), discussion questions, an inquiry question, and an inquiry extension question.

President George Washington: Shaping the Presidency

Executive Orders

Executive Privilege

Presidential Powers

War Powers of the President and Congress