Lesson 3: GA’s Constitution & Articles of Confederation

Articles of Confederation 1781- each state had an equal vote in Congress, regardless of size & population Under this, US is a loose confederation of states (weak central govt.)

State of the Union after the Revolution Economy was shaky and states wanted to make money states encouraged self-sufficiency (discouraged trade) No central currency, no agreement on river navigation, & boundary arguments Shay’s Rebellion in Massachusetts-1786

Articles of Confederation National Powers Declare war Coin money Establish post offices Send and recall ambassadors State Powers 1 vote per state in congress Could refuse to give money to Congress Could refuse to send troops for national defense Coined their own money

Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation Couldn’t levy (impose) taxes to fund government (had to ask states) Couldn’t regulate trade of goods between states Strong Legislative branch & no Executive or Judicial branches Each state had own currency (money) All 13 states had to approve a law for it to pass ONE vote per state, no matter the size of the state’s population

Constitutional Convention-1787 Delegates from each state come to Philadelphia 4 from GA- William Pierce, William Houston, William Few, & Abraham Baldwin GA issues-keep slavery, strong central govt., & help defending against Indian raids (Creeks)

GA’s role in the CC of 1787 1) Unrelenting support of slavery (3/5ths compromise)- Temporary resolution to a slavery issue-later led to war between North & South 2) Abraham Baldwin-Given credit for changing his vote to side with the “small states” in the Congressional representation debate. This decision evened the numbers for and against the Virginia Plan & allowed for the Great Compromise.

Federal System Emerges… Legislative- make the laws (Congress-House and Senate) Executive- carry out the laws (President and his Cabinet) Judicial- interpret the law and settle disputes (Supreme Court & lower courts) -Checks & Balances NATIONAL & STATE GOVTS. HAVE SPECIFIC & SEPARATE POWERS

Constitution of 1777 & Constitution of 1789 Georgia’s Government Constitution of 1777 & Constitution of 1789

Georgia 1777 Government Unicameral (one house) legislative -Had most power -Ability to appoint members of judicial and executive branch (state governor) One year term for governor (had little power) Powers given to executive council & not to the people State’s constitution for 12 years

Georgia 1789 Government Bicameral (2 houses) legislature created call General Assembly with House of Representatives and Senate Legislature raised and spent money

Stayed the same 3 branches of government Legislative Executive Judicial Supreme power in the hands of the legislature Appoint Governor Appoint Judges

Both Georgia governments… RESEMBLED WHAT?????

GA’s Constitution 1789- GA adopted a constitution more in line with the national constitution Similarities: GA legislature-bicameral, govt.-3 branches Differences: powers were not balanced at this time; General Assembly (legislature had most power), superior courts, county inferior courts