How rich is your state?
Critical Analysis
Find answers to the following questions using the visual above, any links below, your big brain, and your knowledge of American government and politics:
According to the map above, what country's GDP (Gross Domestic Product) - the monetary value of all the finished goods and services produced within a country's borders in a specific time period - is the same as your state's (Gross State Product or GSP)?
America’s nominal GDP stands at approximately $32.4 trillion. How evenly distributed is GDP across the states (are states roughly economically equal?)
Why do you think some states are so much richer than other?
Which state-country GDP comparison most surprised you?
The economy of the State of California is the largest in the United States, with a $4.4 trillion gross state product (GSP) as of 2021. It is the largest sub-national economy in the world. If California were a sovereign nation (2026), it would rank as the world's fourth largest economy, behind Germany and ahead of Japan, the U.K., and India. California has two senators. Should Californians get extra senators for being so rich?
Vermont had the lowest GDP (state economy) in the United States, with 36.17 billion U.S. dollars. Representation in the U.S. House is based on population. Make a claim about whether the U.S. should apportion House seats by economic output of a state instead of by population, (thus Cali would have about 94.4 times as much representation as Vermont.)
Based on this map, what adjective would you use to describe America’s wealth?
Elon Musk’s massive net worth of approximately $877 billion exceeds the annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of over 150 countries, meaning there are numerous nations with an economic output smaller than his personal fortune. For example, Greece (approx. $257 billion), Portugal (approx. $309 billion), Chile (approx. $330 billion), Bangladesh (approx. $467 billion), Denmark (approx. $450 billion), and South Africa (approx. $480 billion, which is roughly half of his higher net worth estimates). Is that a good thing or a bad thing?
Generally, as the economy grows, the president gets credit, as the economy shrinks (or stagnates) the president gets the blame. Right now inflation is up so things cost more and many people are feeling economically pinched. How do you think our current economy will impact the 2026 midterm elections?
Brutus 1 argued that a free republic cannot exist in such a large territory as the United States, writing that a “free republic” over “such vast extent” of territory is impracticable because, in time, the people will become “acquainted with very few of their rulers” and lose “confidence” in, and control over, the government.. Given the size (geographic and economic) of the United States, make a claim about whether the United States is too large for freedom?
Write and Discuss
Take ten minutes to write about the question at the top of the page and then discuss with your classmates.
Act on your Learning
Contact President Trump and advise him on two things he should do to increase US GDP:
Get Creative
Would you rather be rich in money or friends? For example, Elon Musk is the wealthiest man in the world in terms of money, but he is sad and famously spent his entire 47th birthday alone working 24 hours straight on the floor of the Tesla factory during the intense Model 3 production crunch in 2018.
Learning Extension
Read the Business Insider story about different countries' GDPs relative to US States'.
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Teaching AP Government is a marathon, and every class period needs a strong start. The Liberty Bell Ringer Membership gives you an archive of 1,000+ ready-to-go bell ringers. But it doesn't stop there. When it's time to mix things up, dig into a growing library of whole-class games your students will actually enjoy. And when May draws near the built-in exam prep has you covered. Cancel at any time. Use promo code SIGNMEUP at checkout to get the first month of our monthly subscription for free!
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