The American Presidency: How It Changed in the 20th Century
This paper examines the transformation of the American presidency across the twentieth century, tracing the shift from a Congress-dominated federal government to an assertive executive office. Drawing on the administrations of Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, and George W. Bush, the paper illustrates how each president expanded the scope and influence of the executive branch through personality, policy, and crisis response. Roosevelt pioneered a progressive vision of presidential power, Wilson institutionalized executive authority and internationalist ideals, and Bush responded to post-9/11 security demands with sweeping legislative and military action. Together, these case studies reveal how constitutional and evolutionary forces have continuously reshaped the nature of presidential power.
- Introduction: The Evolving Executive Office: Congress once dominated; exceptions signaled presidential expansion
- Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Presidency: Roosevelt centralized power through personality and executive action
- Woodrow Wilson and the Expansion of Executive Authority: Wilson institutionalized executive authority and internationalist ideals
- George W. Bush and the Post-9/11 Presidency: Bush expanded presidential power amid terrorism and economic crisis
- Conclusion: Constitutional and evolutionary forces shaped modern presidency
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What makes this paper effective
- Uses three clearly defined presidential case studies to illustrate a single coherent argument about the growth of executive power, making the analytical structure easy to follow.
- Grounds each president's legacy in specific legislative and policy achievements, giving concrete evidence for broader claims about changing executive authority.
- Moves chronologically, allowing the reader to trace how each administration built on or responded to the precedents set by its predecessors.
Key academic technique demonstrated
The paper demonstrates comparative historical analysis: by selecting presidents from different eras and examining their distinct approaches to executive authority, it builds a cumulative argument about long-term institutional change. Each section functions as a mini case study that contributes to the paper's overarching thesis.
Structure breakdown
The paper opens with a brief framing introduction establishing the contrast between the Founders' vision and modern presidential power. Three body sections, each organized around a single president, follow in chronological order. A short conclusion synthesizes the argument. The structure is lean and syllabus-appropriate for an undergraduate survey course on American government.
Introduction: The Evolving Executive Office
The nature of the U.S. presidency as it exists today is quite different from what the Founding Fathers envisioned during the latter part of the eighteenth century. The provisions of the U.S. Constitution significantly limited earlier presidents, and up to the 1930s the federal government was dominated by Congress. For several decades, Congress held sway over the American president. There were, however, notable exceptions — most prominently Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt — who laid the foundation for a turning point in the presidential role, shaping the expectations of future presidents (Independence Hall Association, 2008–2015).
Theodore Roosevelt and the Progressive Presidency
Popularly regarded as the first forward-thinking U.S. president, Theodore Roosevelt (1901–1909) ensured that the presidential role would occupy a central place in American politics through insistent executive action and the force of his strong personality. In his view, the president was entitled to utilize every power not expressly forbidden to him. Roosevelt's presidency lent credibility to the progressive movement, bringing the White House's prestige to bear on government reform and welfare legislation (Milkis, 2015).
Milkis (2015) notes that Roosevelt brought extraordinary charm to the political scene and maintained a strong rapport with American society. He is widely considered the first president who won office primarily because of who he was as an individual, rather than because of party affiliation alone. His popularity and personal enthusiasm helped him win votes, shape public opinion, and guide policy debates — and, as a result, permanently alter the character of the U.S. executive office.
References
A&E Television Networks. (2015). George W. Bush. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from History.com: www.history.com
Independence Hall Association. (2008–2015). The evolution of the presidency. Retrieved December 3, 2015, from U.S. History: www.ushistory.org
Milkis, S. (2015). Theodore Roosevelt: Impact and legacy. Retrieved December 5, 2015, from Miller Center of Public Affairs: http://millercenter.org
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