Educating Young People about the Constitution

Presidents and the Constitution, Vol. 2 Impeachment and the Constitution: The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

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Presidents and the Constitution Resources

In order to impeach a President of the United States members of Congress must try him for high crimes and misdemeanors The Constitution, however, does not define high crimes and misdemeanors. What does that phrase mean to you? What does it mean to your friends? Directions: Read Dr. Stuart Leibigers essay. Underline or highlight the facts you think are important.

Impeachment and the Constitution

Constitutional Connection Activity

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Critical Engagement Question Was Bill Clinton guilty of committing high Crimes and Misdemeanors as a result of his perjury in a civil lawsuit? Objectives

Understand the events that led to the impeachment trial of President Bill Clinton Understand the arguments made in Clintons defense and those made by his accusers. Assess whether Clinton was guilty of High Crimes and Misdemeanors.
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The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Background/Homework Read Handout A: The Impeachment of Bill Clinton and answer the questions. Define the term(s) from Handout B Glossary Card on the back of each card. Prepare to explain the terms.

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Warm-Up Discuss the definitions of the Glossary Terms on Handout B. Relate the definition and the significance of the term to understanding Handout A. Fill in both columns of Handout C: Glossary. Discuss the critical thinking questions at the end of Handout A (on the following slide)

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Warm-Up continued 1. Who was Paula Jones and why did she subpoena Monica Lewinsky and Linda Tripp? 2. Why did Kenneth Starr suspect Clinton was guilty of perjury and obstruction of justice? 3. In what situations did President Clinton give misleading testimony denying his sexual relationship with Monica Lewinsky? 4. What was the issue at the heart of the impeachment charges against President Clinton? 5. Why do you think Clintons approval ratings went up during the impeachment process? 6. Do you believe that President Clinton was guilty of high crimes and misdemeanors? Why or why not? Write a one sentence answer to this question: Why was President Bill Clinton impeached?

Monica Lewinsky, the woman Clinton had the incident with.

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The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Activity Post the two signs from Handout D: Lickert Scale Signs on opposite sides of one wall. Take a position along the wall beneath and/or between one of the two signs that corresponds with how closely you believe in the statement on the sign.

People who believe the above statement

People who are undecided or believe in both statements

People who believe the above statement

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The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Activity continued Form groups of three: with one person believing that Clinton was impeached for: Political reasons, Constitutional reasons, and Undecided In your group: debate and try to prove your position with facts. The person in the middle or undecided should listen to both sides The undecided person should state if they have changed their answer and why.

Present your arguments in a fishbowl at the front of the room.

The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Wrap-Up Discuss the following: Why did the undecided people change their position? Who else changed their opinion? Why?

U.S. Congress in Session

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The Impeachment of Bill Clinton

Homework
Write a paragraph proving your belief that Clinton was impeached for constitutional or political reasons. Extensions Some people say that Independent Counsel Kenneth Starr exerted far more energy in his pursuit of Clintons shortcomings than was justified. Conduct additional research and take a position on this claim. Start research by Googling Kenneth Starr Clinton Investigation
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Kenneth W. Starr