SS8H4 The student will describe the impact of events that led to the ratification of the United States

Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

 a. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the Georgia Constitution of 1777 and the Articles of Confederation and explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to a need to revise the Articles. b. Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; include the role of Abraham Baldwin and William Few, and reasons why Georgia ratified the new constitution.

Georgias Constitution and the Articles of Confederation

ESSENTIAL QUESTION
What led to the evolution of Georgias government from a royal colony to a constitutional democracy?

Georgias First State Constitution

About one-third of Georgians remained loyal to Great Britain; they were called Tories The Whigs influenced a state constitution allowing separation of powers and giving citizens rights to agree how they were governed 1777 Georgia Constitution adopted at Constitutional Convention in Savannah Eight counties formed: Burke, Camden, Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Richmond, Wilkes, and Liberty

The 1777 Georgia Constitution

The governors power was limited Executive Council (12 legislators) held greatest power Council could overrule the governors decisions John Treutlen appointed Georgias first governor Georgias 1777 Constitution changed in 1789

The Articles of Confederation

First Constitution of the United States of America Ratified (approved) on July 4, 1776 Went into effect in January 1781, when ratified by Maryland and Virginia

Constitutional Convention of 1787

William Few and Abraham Baldwin represented Georgia at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia; George Washington presided U.S. Constitution established three governmental branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Each branch could check the power of the other branches (Checks and Balances). Senate and House of Representatives established; only three-fifths of slave population would count toward representation

ABRAHAM BALDWIN

BOTH MEN WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM GEORGIA WHO WILLIAM FEW HELPED CREATE AND SIGN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

ABRAHAM BALDWIN PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE GREAT COMPROMISE THAT HELPED CREATE A BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE

WILLIAM FEW HELPED WRITE THE CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION of 1787

U.S. Constitution Ratified in 1788

Georgia was fourth state to ratify (approve) the new Constitution Constitution could be amended (changed); first 10 amendments became Bill of Rights George Washington became the first President

Postwar Georgia
Economy in ruin; government provided food basics as farmers tried to reestablish their farms Capital moved to Augusta Georgia delegates met in 1788 and 1789; adopted state constitution similar to national government, with three branches General Assembly was bicameral (two houses), Senate and House of Representatives; appointed governor and judges; controlled spending decisions

T Chart Georgia Constitution of 1777

Strengths Weaknesses

Established counties Governor Legislature served Still have Legislative elected Legislative replaced parishes 1 Year Unicameral (one Branch only council had power house) to veto the Governor Established local Executive Branch Three Branches (county) (Governor) Three Not Checks wasand weak Branches, Three Branches governments Balances Couldnt Veto No but the Legislative had separate Laws, second grant house pardons, in was more powerful powers Chief Legislative Executive Branch than the others only by name

T Chart Articles of Confederation

Strengths
First

Weaknesses
Weak feared strong WeakUnion, central central government

written constitution Articles of Confederation (Nov. 1777)

Had a Legislature Strong State governments

government

No Checks and Balances

No Executive or Judicial Central Government did not Branch no have taxes, so no military one to enforce laws or hear Central Government did not disputes
print money

Did not allow the All power lied with the states central (federal) government Each state had equal vote toan levy in Congress regardless of size (impose) taxes
or population

CAUSE
ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION
State governments had too much power
National government could not levy taxes, enforce laws, or control trade No executive branch (President) No judicial branch (no federal courts to settle disputes between the states)

EFFECT
Constitutional Convention of 1787
Great Compromise:

THE U.S. CONSTITUTION

Federal government

becomes more powerful Bi-cameral legislature benefits both big and small states (population) Separation of Powers
3/5ths Compromise: 3 out of 5 slaves counted toward population and were also taxed

- Legislative branch makes laws - Executive branch enforce laws - Judicial branch interpret laws

Bill of Rights: 1st ten Bi-cameral legislature amendments to the House of Representatives Constitution based on state population guaranteeing rights for Senate 2 representatives citizens

from each state