War Powers and The Constitution

1. War powers and the Constitution.
   Working with a partner, complete one of the following activities:

   a. Research and write a brief (750-word) essay that addresses the following questions: Under the Constitution, which part of the federal government has the authority to declare war? Which part of the federal government is in charge of the armed forces? (For both of these questions, cite the relevant part of the Constitution and the wording it uses.) What are the potential advantages of separating the power to declare war from the command of the armed forces? What are the potential disadvantages?

   b. Find six examples of military conflicts in which the United States participated: three in which it formally declared war, and three in which it did not. Write a brief description of each conflict, explaining how the United States became involved and the conflict's outcome. Then explain whether you think the policy of declaring or not declaring war was appropriate in each of the six conflicts.

   c. Compare the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution, which Congress passed in 1964 to authorize the use of military force against North Vietnam, with the resolution Congress passed in 2002 to authorize the use of military force against Iraq. On the basis of these documents, write a brief essay comparing and contrasting the United States' goals in Vietnam and in Iraq. Do you agree with the statement by Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia, an opponent of the 2002 Iraq resolution, that "This is the Tonkin Gulf resolution all over again"? Explain your answer.

   For example, why do you think one resolution provides much more detail than the other regarding the reasons why it was written? How do the two resolutions differ in the President's authorized use of force? How do they differ in their overall goals?