The Constitution gives the power of declaring war solely to Congress, while the president serves as commander in chief of the U.S. military. What does commander in chief mean? As American citizens, it is our responsibility not only to stay informed about the domestic and international uses of our military, but also to make thoughtful judgments about the wisdom and prudence of each use.

Guiding Question

• Is it the responsibility of free people to spread freedom around the world?
• What about the responsibility to, at a minimum, refrain from sustaining tyranny?
• Should the military ever be used against American citizens?

Objectives

• Students will examine the war powers listed in the Constitution.
• Students will understand the causes for and provisions of the War Powers Act.
• Students will explore how the war powers relate to the war on Terror.

Educator Resources

• Handout A: War and the Constitution Answer Key
• Handout C: War Powers Resolution Answer Key

Student Handouts

• Handout A: War and the Constitution
• Handout B: Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and the War Powers Resolution
• Handout C: War Powers Resolution
• Handout D: George W. Bush and the War on Terror

Before starting this lesson, refresh students’ understanding of the Vietnam War and the War on Terror or address any lack of prior knowledge.