Lesson 15, 16, & 17 - What
Conflicting Opinions did the Framers Have about the Completed
Constitution? What Was the Anti-Federalists’ Position in the Debate
about Ratification? & What Was The Federalists’ Position in the Debate
about Ratification?
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South Dakota Application:
- What conflicting opinions often arise in the arena of South
Dakota politics?
Activities
- Have students read the following passage from South Dakota:
Compass American Guides, pgs. 135-136:
“Pierre was chosen for the state capital by default, more than
anything else. Shortly after South Dakota acquired statehood in
1889, the choice of the capital city was put to a vote. Those
backing Pierre as the best choice claimed that the community’s
location in South Dakota’s geographic center would result in equal
representation in the capital to all areas of the growing state. The
argument may have made sense to some, but not to most. After several
ballots, numerous bribes, and a lot of cajoling, South Dakotas
designated Pierre as the capital, but only because competition among
Mitchell, Huron, Chamberlain, Sioux Fall, and Watertown was so
fierce that no one could form a coalition to get the capital located
anywhere else. Even then, South Dakotans didn’t get a capitol
building constructed until 1910.”
“Debate in Pierre often occurs between two very large
“interest groups”: those South Dakotas living on the west side of
the Missouri, and those living to the east. Residents of the state
refer to each other as either “East River” or “West River” folk – an
important distinction to South Dakotans. Depending on your
disposition and which side of the river you’re on, your neighbors
can be either too rough and regular, or conversely, too urban and
liberal enough the belong in a suburb of Minneapolis. The denser
population of the eastern half of the sate means it dictates what
happens in mundane daily matters such as school-funding formulas and
mining regulation, and that sometimes sticks in the craw of West
River residents who have their own opinions about education and
employment.”
Students can design a campaign for moving the
state capital to other location. Students will need to address the
political attributes for the new location. Students can also create
poster, ribbons, slogans, etc. to promote their cause. (See examples
for ribbons from the South Dakota Cultural Heritage Center)
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Museum of the South Dakota State Historical
Society, Pierre, SD |
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Have students read again the second paragraph
of the above reading. Do the students agree with this assessment of
South Dakotans? What would be examples of “factions” in South
Dakota? Have students brainstorm/research issues of difference
between the East and West River regions in South Dakota.
Assessment
Invite a panel of three community people before
which each student group will present their arguments for moving the
capital to a new location. Assessment conducted by the panel and
instructor based upon participation, logic of arguments, and quality
of presentation.
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