

In addition, Stephen Kearny successfully seized parts of California and established American claims to the region. By 1848, most of Mexico was under American control. Over the next two years, Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott led American troops to victory after victory against the poorly prepared Mexican army. On May 13, 1846, Congress declared war on Mexico. Mexico viewed this as an aggressive act, and in April 1846, Mexican and American troops clashed. When Slidell’s mission failed, Taylor moved his troops from the Nueces River, which Mexico claimed as the border, south to the Rio Grande river. At the same time, the president ordered General Zachary Taylor and 3,500 American troops to the disputed border area. Polk also hoped that Slidell would be able negotiate a deal to buy California for $20–25 million. He sent John Slidell to negotiate an agreement to resolve the Texas annexation and boundary problem. To resolve the troubles with Mexico stemming from the annexation of Texas into the Union by lame-duck President John Tyler, President James K. In addition, for slaveholding southerners and their allies, expansion meant more land for slavery and increased influence in Congress. continent.” Expansionist ideas also reflected America’s successful experiment with democracy, as leaders called on the nation to expand “the area of liberty” to include lands controlled by Mexico and by Native Americans. O’Sullivan added a divine quality to this quest when he wrote America should expand “by the right of our manifest destiny to overspread. However, presidents are also limited in their influence over domestic policymaking in Congress.In the early 1840s, America increasingly viewed territorial expansion as a means to restore its confidence and prosperity lost during the Panic of 1837. This takes aways form the president's ability to influence domestic policy because budgetary constraints make it difficult to accomplish policy goals, as well as the fact that it is difficult to make budget cuts that might accomplish policy goals.Ģ008-2)A number of factors enable presidents to exert influence over Congress in the area of domestic policy. Mandatory Spending: Mandatory spending is spending not controlled by annual budget decisions. It limits the president's ability to influence domestic policy making in congress because congress becomes less responsive to the president and the president's power is viewed as begin diminished. Lame Duck Period: The lame duck period is a period of time in which an officeholder’s term is coming to an end. Define each term and explain how each limits the president’s ability to influence domestic policy making in Congress.

Another power he is granted is his appointment power, where he can call anyone into office.Ĭhoose two of the following.

With these, he can veto bills, perform pocket vetoes and even sign legislation. One would be the legislative powers that he has. Describe two of these formal powers that enable the president to exert influence over domestic policy.Ī) The president is granted many powers due to the constitution. The Constitution grants the president certain enumerated powers.
