Abstract This paper looks at the reasons why the Second Continental Congress (1775) was the most significant event in history between 1492 and 1876. Philosophical resonance and political implications are explored. It also examines the enduring basic principles that emanated from the congress.
Tags: second continental congress, constitutional convention, independence, 1775, American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence
Abstract This essay discusses the influence of the American political parties upon the U.S. Congress. For content, the author draws appropriately upon reading and contemporary political events such as recent elections.
Abstract This is a paper on CORE, the Congress for Racial Equality. The paper discusses the development of this civil rights organization, its active role during the civil-rights era and subsequent decline. The paper looks at the effects of emerging black nationalist movement on CORE.
From the Paper "The Congress on Racial Equality, often referred to simply by its acronym, CORE, was one of the major national organizations that played a leading role in the Civil Rights revolution of the 50s. Founded in 1942, it seemed on the verge of collapse in the early 50s but succeeded in re-organizing itself and gaining new focus as the Civil Rights movement as a whole gained strength through the 50s"
This paper discusses Burdett A. Loomis' "The Contemporary Congress", which examines the dynamics of the contemporary Congress and how these have changed from the ideal embodied in the Constitution and from the practices of earlier eras.
Abstract This paper explains that Burdett A. Loomis' "The Contemporary Congress" begins his examination in the Thirteenth Congressional district in Pennsylvania, from 1992 to 1997, when the Republicans changed the make-up of Congress and gained control of the House of Representatives for the first time in years. The author points out that, although he also finds that a reasonably homogeneous party can overcome these tendencies, Loomis refers to the centrifugal Congress because there are a number of forces decentralizing it. The paper stresses that the forms of political institutions should serve the needs of the people they serve and should uphold and promote the values that these people want to elevate to special status.
From the Paper "Loomis discusses the changing nature of congressional politics, with the growth of lobbying as a way for special interests to reach legislators and to wield influence. Various social and economic pressures also operated to change the way policy is made and the budget is created and passed. The idea of balancing the budget is often raised, but this is rarely achieved. Even when it is, other forces may prevent a balanced budget from achieving what leaders think it will achieve."
Abstract This paper examines how the powers between the President and Congress are defined in the U.S. Constitution. The paper begins with an overview of the powers of the Executive Branch as outlined in Article II of the Constitution. This is followed by a detailed discussion of the Legislative Branch's exact powers and discusses why the process is divided into three forms of legislation. The paper also discusses that the reason so much power was given to Congress was to guarantee that the needs of the people were adequately addressed and respected. This basic philosophy is one of checks and balances, where the Congress can make the laws, but it is only the President, or Executive Branch that can enforce these laws in order to insure that the country remains a democracy.
From the Paper "Where Congress can fund and form a military, the President is the Commander in Chief of all the armed forces. As such, he has the power to decide when and were military forces are sent and how they are employed. The significance of this power has been demonstrated in conflicts from Vietnam until now where the President has routinely utilized military powers to assert American will around the world without first getting the approval of congress. The President also has the power to grant reprieves and pardons, to make treaties, to create and manage agencies that form the various functional enforcement system (enforcement of legislation). The President is granted the power to appoint, under congressional review, individuals to the cabinet (Federalist Papers 67-77)."
Abstract In this essay, the writer compares two major diplomatic events. The writer looks at the Treaty of Versailles and the Congress of Vienna which show similarities in the fact that they both acted as the conclusion of European wars. The writer explains that the Congress of Vienna took place in 1814 following the Napoleonic Wars, in an attempt to ensure a lasting peace and restore political stability. The writer also examines the Treaty of Versailles which occurred in 1919 at the end of the First World War with the same intentions and aims as the Congress of Vienna.
From the Paper "The Treaty of Versailles and the Congress of Vienna are comparable in that they were both major diplomatic events that formally ended destructive European wars. The Congress of Vienna was convened at the end of the Napoleonic Wars in 1814 and was attended by European heads of state and leading diplomats, who sought to restore political stability and establish a just and lasting peace. The Treaty of Versailles was convened after the First World War in 1919, was also attended by heads of state and leading diplomats, who also sought to restore political stability and establish a just and lasting peace."
Abstract This paper addresses the issue of conflict between the U.S. President and Congress. It provides an historical overview of the establishment of these two institutions. It lists a number of factors which are cause for conflict such as public opinion, budget restraints, security concerns and split government.
From the paper:
"Having just rid themselves of one tyrant, the framers of the United States Constitution were reluctant to create another to take his place. Therefore, in developing a new government, they devised three separate branches of government with a complex series of checks and balances so that no one person or branch could ever claim the power of a king. Two of these branches of government, the Congress, or legislative branch, and the President, or executive branch, were given the task of working together to shape the laws and policies of the country. A certain amount of conflict between these two branches of government would not have surprised or distressed the founding fathers in the least (Heineman, Peterson, & Rasmussen 33-36). The amount of the conflict and some of its causes, though, probably would have amazed them."
Abstract This paper will detail the history of the American Congress and compare it to the government of other countries. This paper will also note the reform of Congress in American government and the distinct role it play in the democracy of our country.
Abstract This paper looks at the Congress of Vienna, which took place from September, 1814 to June, 1815, with the aim of stabilizing Europe after the fall of Napoleon I. It examines how the aim of the four major powers (England, Austria, Prussia and Russia) was to create political stability in the region and restore boundaries to those existing before Napoleon's conquests. In particular, it evaluates how the major powers were successful in their goal, although the clever manipulation of French diplomat, Talleyrand, gave France a much greater role in the Congress than was likely intended by the major powers.
From the Paper "Talleyrand played a crucial role in the Congress, manipulating distrust between the Allies to the benefit of France. This was not an easy task, considering that England and France had long been enemies before the Congress of Vienna. Writes Nicholson of Napoleon's notorious hatred of England in the context of his defeat in Russia, "three hundred and thirty thousand men of the Grande Armee lay hummocked in snow upon the plains of Russia, but (Napoleon) talked on only of further armies, further campaigns, and further victories. His voice at times was almost jubilant; at other moments it would rise or fall into the scream or snarl of hatred. One name alone (since as a rule he was mild about his enemies) would rouse these paroxysms of rancour. That name was England" (Nicolson, 6)."
Tags: talleyrand, england, austria, prussia, russia
This paper discusses the Continental Congress, a vehicle by which the colonies could speak for themselves, which played a pivotal role in the movement toward revolution.
Abstract This paper explains that the first Continental Congress adopted a Declaration of Rights and Grievances, which claimed that Americans could not submit to specific British Acts that were considered intolerable and set up a boycott on British goods. The author relates that the Declaration of Independence, written mainly by Thomas Jefferson, included a list of grievances against England's colonial policy; its preamble was a statement of a political philosophy based on natural rights and was a declaration of war against England. The paper stresses that the formation of the Continental Congress taught the delegates that they could meet and cooperate to further their common aims to defy Parliament's claim to unlimited powers over British America.
From the Paper "One of the keys to understanding the Continental Congress's impact on the future of the colonies and the road to revolution is to understand the core belief system that many of the delegates held to. General Gage, commander of the British troops in America, wrote this about the delegates, "[t]hey are of various characters and opinions, but it's to be feared in general, that the spirit of Democracy, is strong amongst them." An example that illustrates this clearly was their arguments against the Stamp Act. Instead of arguing that the act served a wrong purpose, they argued that it was unconstitutional, and contrary to their rights. This spirit of freedom and liberty that existed in the colonies and the Continental Congress could use this vehicle of assembly to voice these beliefs."
Abstract This paper discusses the contention that the opposite of progress is Congress and then explains that the contention gives the impression that Congress is a toothless body, unable to effect any meaningful change. The paper then goes on to present arguments that refute this general perception.
From the Paper "Indeed, as pointed out by Wilson, there is a widespread perception among Americans that Congress has been losing power to the US president since the 1930s. Certainly, the impression created by the media is that the US President - such as the current President Bush - is immensely powerful. However, this belief is..."
Abstract The paper relates that the Congress of Vienna, when world leaders convened in Vienna in September of 1814, was an attempt to stabilize Europe after the chaos of revolutions, upheaval, the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and continental war. The paper discusses how the Congress ignored the pervasive liberal and nationalistic fervor by attempting to reinstate the aristocracy and royal houses, and this would prove to be an egregious error on their part and lead to future upheaval. The paper focuses on the representatives of Britain, France, Austria and Russia and how they negotiated to divide up empires and gain territories.
From the Paper "The Congress of Vienna was an attempt to stabilize Europe after the chaos of revolutions, upheaval, the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire and continental war. Napoleon was at last defeated and there had to be an understanding by the great powers, without which there could be no lasting peace. The population of Europe had witnessed the fall of the House of Bourbon and the rise and fall of Bonaparte. They had seen revolutions succeed and revolutions betrayed. Those royal houses still secure on their thrones had to change the geopolitical structure and the face of the continent as well for their own security. They put in place a system doomed to failure in the face of the rising tide of realpolitik by totally ignoring the liberal and nationalistic fervor so pervasive in the land (Neumann 1996)."
Tags: Britain, France, Austria, Russia, power, territory, alliances
Abstract The following paper discusses the potential benefits of an international form of governance for each of the member nations. This paper assesses whether the problems associated with loss of national power affect economic and political stability and strength.
From the paper:
?For most Americans, the idea of a supranational legislative body such as the European Parliament is alien -- even undemocratic. The idea of being governed by Canadians along with Mexicans seems, well, un-American. There are few more important symbols of our national identity than our Congress and our money -- and to cede such a large portion of national identity as would be required to have an international legislature and currency would seem to strike at the country's most important strengths.?
Abstract The following paper discusses the potential benefits of an international form of governance for each of the member nations. This paper assesses whether the problems associated with loss of national power affect economic and political stability and strength.
From the paper:
?For most Americans, the idea of a supranational legislative body such as the European Parliament is alien -- even undemocratic. The idea of being governed by Canadians along with Mexicans seems, well, un-American. There are few more important symbols of our national identity than our Congress and our money -- and to cede such a large portion of national identity as would be required to have an international legislature and currency would seem to strike at the country's most important strengths.?
Abstract This paper discusses the effectiveness of Abraham Lincoln's presidency and his interactions with Congress during the Civil War. The author explores how Lincoln steered the nation rather moderately over the conflict and presents his views on the South's secession and slavery.
From the Paper "The Republican Party emerged from the ashes of the Whig Party and the confused flurry of new political parties attempting to fill the void of an alternative political party to the Democrats during the 1850s. In its formation the Republican Party absorbed many former members of other political parties, especially Whigs, Free-Soilers, Know-Nothings, and Northern Democrats, which resulted in the creation of a broad party platform."
