 POLITICS IS EVERYWHERE
Using the University of Virginia Library’s Historical Census Browser, examine how the population density of the country has changed over time. Begin by clicking the “general population” tab under “examine state and county topics over time.” From there, select “total population (1790-1960)” and click “submit query.” From there, click on the “map it!” button for each of the decades.
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| 1. How does the population density map from 1790 help illustrate the reason why Virginia and New Jersey differed on how they wanted representation in Congress to be allocated? After 100 years, would Virginia and New Jersey still have opposed one another? Who would be members of the “big state” coalition now? |
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 POLITICS IS CONFLICTUAL
As it was originally written, the Constitution did not include the Bill of Rights, yet several states (including New York, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, North Carolina and Virginia) refused to ratify the Constitution without some explicit protections of individual rights and liberties.
In an attempt to sway public opinion, the Federalists and Antifederalists circulated articles in newspapers arguing against and for the Bill of Rights, respectively. Read Federalist 84 and Antifederalist 84 to get a sense for what rationale each group offered to defend their position.
Federalist 84: “Certain General and Miscellaneous Objections to the Constitution Considered and Answered”
Antifederalist 84: “On the Lack of a Bill of Rights”
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| 2. What arguments against the Bill of Rights do the Federalists make? |
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| 3. What arguments against the Bill of Rights do the Antifederalists make? |
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| 4. Which argument do you find most compelling? Why? |
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 PROCESS MATTERS
Watch the video of Bill Moyers as he discusses impeachment with Bruce Fein and John Nichols. |
| 5. How is the idea of impeachment portrayed here? Did the impeachment of Bill Clinton seem to be in keeping with what the Founders intended impeachment for? |
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| 6. Do Fein and Nichols argue that there would have been sufficient charges to bring against members of the Bush administration? Why were charges not brought? |
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