The role of human nature in the construction of political institutions plays an important dynamic in how those political institutions are created, how they evolve, and how they solve problems. Many vital political institutions have faced, and are still facing, complex and multi-faceted challenges.
Responding to these challenges often creates unintended side effects that change the very nature and capabilities of the institution.
For example, the executive institutions of the U.S. government (also known as the Executive Branch) before the Civil War consisted only of the Departments of State, War, and Treasury. However, the nature and capabilities of the Executive Branch of government rapidly changed as a result of the Civil War. Thousands of new employees were added to the federal government, and new departments (e.g., Agriculture) and many new responsibilities were added to the central government. Write: In your essay of at least three pages, you will investigate the executive institutions of the U.S. government by addressing the following:
· Describe one historical event that significantly affected the nature and capabilities of the executive institutions of the U.S. government.
· Explain how and why this event changed the nature of the Executive Branch.
· Explain how and why this event changed the capabilities of the Executive Branch.
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Second, the Civil War led to the creation of new departments and agencies within the executive branch. For example, the Department of Agriculture was created in 1862 to promote agricultural production and support the war effort. The Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands (Freedmen's Bureau) was created in 1865 to help former slaves transition to freedom. These new departments and agencies helped to expand the scope of the federal government and increase its role in American society.
Third, the Civil War led to a professionalization of the executive branch. Prior to the war, many government positions were filled by political appointees. However, the war required the government to hire skilled and experienced workers to fill important positions. This led to a shift towards a more professionalized civil service.
How the Civil War Changed the Capabilities of the Executive Branch
The Civil War also changed the capabilities of the executive branch. The war required the government to mobilize millions of soldiers and produce vast quantities of war materiel. This required the government to develop new bureaucratic and logistical capabilities. The government also created new agencies, such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), to raise revenue to fund the war effort. These new capabilities have allowed the executive branch to play a more active role in the economy and society.
Conclusion
The Civil War was a watershed moment in the history of the executive branch of the U.S. government. The war led to a centralization of power in the presidency, the creation of new departments and agencies, and the professionalization of the civil service. These changes have had a lasting impact on the nature and capabilities of the executive branch.
Additional Examples of How the Civil War Changed the Executive Branch
- The Civil War led to the creation of the Secret Service, which was originally tasked with protecting the nation's currency from counterfeiting.
- The Civil War led to the creation of the Department of Justice, which was tasked with prosecuting Confederate sympathizers and enforcing the Emancipation Proclamation.
- The Civil War led to the creation of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, which was tasked with overseeing the relationship between the federal government and Native American tribes.
- The Civil War led to the creation of the National Banking System, which helped to stabilize the nation's financial system.
- The Civil War led to the passage of the Morrill Land-Grant Acts, which provided federal funding for the establishment of land-grant universities.
These are just a few examples of the many ways in which the Civil War changed the executive branch of the U.S. government. The war led to a significant expansion of the executive branch's power, scope, and capabilities. These changes have had a lasting impact on the role of the executive branch in American society.
Sample Answer
Historical Event: The Civil War
The Civil War was a significant event that significantly affected the nature and capabilities of the executive institutions of the U.S. government. Before the war, the executive branch was relatively small and consisted of only three departments: State, War, and Treasury. However, the war required the federal government to expand its role in order to support the war effort. This led to a significant increase in the size and scope of the executive branch.
How the Civil War Changed the Nature of the Executive Branch
The Civil War changed the nature of the executive branch in a number of ways. First, the war led to a centralization of power in the presidency. President Abraham Lincoln took unprecedented steps to expand his executive authority, including suspending habeas corpus, issuing the Emancipation Proclamation, and creating new government agencies without congressional approval. This centralization of power in the presidency has continued to this day.