Skip to main content

How do executive orders work? - Christina Greer

1,284,070 Views

21,992 Questions Answered

TEDEd Animation

Let’s Begin…

On January 1, 1863, Abraham Lincoln legally changed the status of over 3 million people from “slave” to “free.” But his emancipation proclamation wasn’t a law — it was an executive order. The framers of the American Constitution made this power available to the executive branch. But what exactly is this tool, how does it work, and what’s the extent of its power? Christina Greer explains.

Which president used an executive order to desegregate the Armed Forces:

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Christina Greer
  • Director Brett Underhill
  • Animator Brett Underhill
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Christina Greer

More from Government: Declassified