ancient republics, modern republics in holland and britain, especially britain, the example of oliver cromwell, was considered very disgraceful for republics. and the modern thinkers of republicanism would take the side of the republic's in the 17th century english civil war to decide republics in -- as opposed to the moderate monarchy of great britain and people like james harrington and sidney. they were all against a strong president. with us, the idea of a strong president came rather late in the constitutional convention of 1787. there were at that time, you remember, would original plans. the virginia plan and the new jersey plan with which the convention began. and neither of them had a strong executive. the virginia plan, executive that was elected by the legislator would therefore be a creature of the legislator, legislator. the new jersey plan had an executive by committee. so that no single person was responsible and the members of the committee could blame one another if something went wrong. after the constitution was formed or framed, a strong executive was opposed by the anti-fe