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Lesson

United States v. Nixon (1974)

Guiding question

Was the Constitution’s separation of powers intended to create an absolute executive privilege?

Grade
9–12
Published
Nov 5, 2020
Columns and stone facade of a building with the inscription "COURT HOUSE" above.
Case background and primary source documents concerning the Supreme Court case of United States v. Nixon. Dealing with the principle of separation of powers, this lesson focuses on the question of whether or not the Constitution’s separation of powers intended to create an absolute executive privilege.

Founding Principles

Separation of Powers

Virtues

Integrity, Justice

Materials

Documents you will examine:

  1. Federalist No. 48, 1788
  2. Federalist No. 51, 1788
  3. Federalist No. 70, 1788
  4. “King Andrew I: Born to Command,” 1833
  5. Resolution of the House of Representatives and Reply of the President, 1861
  6. President Dwight D. Eisenhower to Charles Erwin Wilson, 1954
  7. “Richard Nixon in the Robes of King George III,” 1973
  8. Unanimous Majority Opinion, United States v. Nixon, 1974
  9. A 1974 Herblock Cartoon
  10. Vice President Cheney v. United States District Court, 2004

Lesson Components

ActivityUnited States v. Nixon – Case Background
ActivityDocuments to Examine (A-J) United States v. Nixon (1974)
ActivityThe Issue Endures – United States v. Nixon (1974)
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Lesson plan

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