Instructions: At the time of the exam on March 20th, you will be given two questions randomly selected from the following list. You will then answer one of these two. Please remember that your essay will be graded for organization, content, and clarity (see rubric). The content component of the grade will depend heavily on your use of specific and accurate historical information to support your argument. You may not use any notes or books when writing the essay in class.
 

1. War Powers: The Constitution and Early Practice. Although it is reasonable to presume that the first American presidents (Washington thru Jefferson) understood what the framers of the Constitution had in mind when they allocated war powers between president and Congress, it does not necessarily follow that those presidents adhered to the constitutional framework when they held office. Did the earliest American presidents exercise presidential war powers in a manner consistent with the design of the Constitution?
 

2. A Wimp at War? What factors best explain James Madison's difficulties as a wartime leader before and during the War of 1812?
 

3. Presidential Leadership During an Expansionist War. Assess critically James K. Polk's leadership before and during the Mexican War, including both what he did effectively and his deficiencies.
 

4. Savior, Tyrant, or Both? Lincoln in the Civil War. Cohen, MacPherson, and others portray Lincoln as a brilliant wartime leader who exercised power deftly to lead the Union to victory. But his wartime presidency was also marked by serious violations of civil liberties. What is the relationship, if any, between these two aspects of Lincoln's wartime leadership? Were both necessary to Union success?