Question

Explain how historians would characterize the use of executive orders for the first 100 years of American presidential history.(1 point)
Responses

There was very little change in the first 100 years of American history, making the need for executive orders very small.
There was very little change in the first 100 years of American history, making the need for executive orders very small.

There were significant changes, such as the Second Industrial Revolution and the Great Depression, and Congress was unwilling to act.
There were significant changes, such as the Second Industrial Revolution and the Great Depression, and Congress was unwilling to act.

For the first 100 years of American history, despite significant societal changes, presidents deferred to congressional lawmaking to adapt to change.
For the first 100 years of American history, despite significant societal changes, presidents deferred to congressional lawmaking to adapt to change.

For the first 100 years of American history, presidential employment of executive orders was the highest in American history.

Answer 1

Historians would likely characterize the use of executive orders in the first 100 years of American presidential history as follows:

**There were significant changes, such as the Second Industrial Revolution and the Great Depression, and Congress was unwilling to act.**

During this period, the United States experienced rapid transformations that included industrialization, urbanization, and significant economic challenges. As issues arose that required swift action, especially during times of crisis like the Great Depression, presidents found it sometimes necessary to use executive orders to bypass Congress, which was seen as slow-moving or unable to reach consensus on effective legislation.