First, you need to explain what the Unitary Executive Theory is. And you need to explain the correlation between Truman's use of executive power and Nixon's. Did Nixon pattern his ideas on Truman's, or how did Truman have anything to do with the War Powers Resolution. You do not make that clear.
When you talk about Kennedy and Roosevelt (which Roosevelt?), you say they differed because their diplomatic efforts were successful. The Vietnam war was not, primarily, a diplomatic effort. It was a war. Diplomacy was involved in Nixon's efforts to either end that war or limit it, and were, arguably, too secretive, but the War Powers Act does not address diplomacy, it deals with the presidential power to go to war.
You are mistaken in attributing the Korean War to Franklin Roosevelt's administration. FDR died in 1945. The Korean conflict began in 1950.
You are correct in saying that, ever since President Washington, diplomacy has been largely delegated to the executive (although, under the constitution, the Senate must approve formal treaties), the power to declare war is reserved to the Congress, again, in the Constitution. You never mention the Constitution at all.
Your thesis seems neither to be proved or disproved by your arguments.
Can someone edit this? Also, does anyone edit whole papers?
(Essay redacted per request from original poster.)
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Hi Do you edit papers at all?
as in whole papers
That would be very difficult to do here, Christine. It really is up to you to double check your facts. Write your first draft, as you have done, then read it to yourself. Put yourself in the "shoes" of the reader and ask yourself if your draft makes sense, all the connections between examples and points are clear (assuming the reader knows nothing of your topic). Then check for grammar, spelling, etc. You can proofread and self-edit.
And, in this case, make sure YOU know the difference between diplomacy and waging war, and what the Constitution says about separation of powers between the executive and legislative branches.
Diplomacy is largely left to the executive. It can't be done by 535 members of Congress. But the results of that diplomacy have, traditionally, been made public. Nixon did not do that in his negotiations with Ho Chi Minh. The argument is that he carried secrecy too far. And, of course, any formal treaties must be approved by the Senate.
Diplomacy is largely left to the executive. It can't be done by 535 members of Congress. But the results of that diplomacy have, traditionally, been made public. Nixon did not do that in his negotiations with Ho Chi Minh. The argument is that he carried secrecy too far. And, of course, any formal treaties must be approved by the Senate.
And, if you do the research, you will find that the president does have authority to act militarily in defense of the nation, but within limits. The War Powers Act was designed to codify those limits. And you will find that President Bush did have Congressional authority for his actions in the first Gulf War, but not a formal declaration of war. Do the research.
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