Question
Using Checks and Balances, the President appoints Supreme Court Justices, but Congress has to vote to approve the appointments.
If Roosevelt had been able to appoint more justices in his 'Court Packing' plan, what do you think would have been the impact? (U3.3) (Unit 1-4 EOC Study Notes) TEKS - 19(B)
(1 point)
Responses
The power of the Executive Branch would have been decreased.
The power of the Executive Branch would have been decreased.
Congress would have been skipped over in this process, and Check & Balances would have been breeched.
Congress would have been skipped over in this process, and Check & Balances would have been breeched.
This would have made a court with nine justices instead of seven.
This would have made a court with nine justices instead of seven.
The Supreme Court would have gained too much power which is against the Constitution.
The Supreme Court would have gained too much power which is against the Constitution.
Roosevelt would have had more justices to rule in favor of what he wanted.
Roosevelt would have had more justices to rule in favor of what he wanted.
If Roosevelt had been able to appoint more justices in his 'Court Packing' plan, what do you think would have been the impact? (U3.3) (Unit 1-4 EOC Study Notes) TEKS - 19(B)
(1 point)
Responses
The power of the Executive Branch would have been decreased.
The power of the Executive Branch would have been decreased.
Congress would have been skipped over in this process, and Check & Balances would have been breeched.
Congress would have been skipped over in this process, and Check & Balances would have been breeched.
This would have made a court with nine justices instead of seven.
This would have made a court with nine justices instead of seven.
The Supreme Court would have gained too much power which is against the Constitution.
The Supreme Court would have gained too much power which is against the Constitution.
Roosevelt would have had more justices to rule in favor of what he wanted.
Roosevelt would have had more justices to rule in favor of what he wanted.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
If Roosevelt had been able to successfully implement his 'Court Packing' plan and appoint more justices to the Supreme Court, several potential impacts could have emerged from this decision. The most significant implications would likely include:
1. **Undermining Checks and Balances**: The plan would have represented a significant breach of the traditional system of checks and balances, as it would allow the Executive Branch more influence over the Judicial Branch. This could lead to a perception or reality that the President was exerting too much control over the judiciary.
2. **Shift in Judicial Power**: With a newly expanded court, there would have been a potential for the Supreme Court to lean more favorably toward Roosevelt's New Deal policies. This shift could have altered the balance of power and influenced key rulings that might have favored government intervention in the economy.
3. **Increased Tension with Congress**: The plan could have heightened tensions between the Executive and Legislative branches, particularly if Congress opposed the appointments. This could have led to a more significant political battle over the boundaries of power and the role of the judiciary.
4. **Precedent for Future Presidents**: If Roosevelt's plan had succeeded, it might have set a precedent for future presidents to try to expand the Supreme Court for political gain, undermining the independence of the judiciary in the long run.
5. **Public Perception and Legacy**: The attempt to pack the court was controversial and could have impacted Roosevelt's legacy, influencing public perception of his presidency and the overall trust in the government institutions.
Overall, the potential impacts of Roosevelt's 'Court Packing' plan would have been complex and far-reaching, affecting the balance of power among branches of government, the role of the judiciary, and public confidence in government institutions.
1. **Undermining Checks and Balances**: The plan would have represented a significant breach of the traditional system of checks and balances, as it would allow the Executive Branch more influence over the Judicial Branch. This could lead to a perception or reality that the President was exerting too much control over the judiciary.
2. **Shift in Judicial Power**: With a newly expanded court, there would have been a potential for the Supreme Court to lean more favorably toward Roosevelt's New Deal policies. This shift could have altered the balance of power and influenced key rulings that might have favored government intervention in the economy.
3. **Increased Tension with Congress**: The plan could have heightened tensions between the Executive and Legislative branches, particularly if Congress opposed the appointments. This could have led to a more significant political battle over the boundaries of power and the role of the judiciary.
4. **Precedent for Future Presidents**: If Roosevelt's plan had succeeded, it might have set a precedent for future presidents to try to expand the Supreme Court for political gain, undermining the independence of the judiciary in the long run.
5. **Public Perception and Legacy**: The attempt to pack the court was controversial and could have impacted Roosevelt's legacy, influencing public perception of his presidency and the overall trust in the government institutions.
Overall, the potential impacts of Roosevelt's 'Court Packing' plan would have been complex and far-reaching, affecting the balance of power among branches of government, the role of the judiciary, and public confidence in government institutions.