Unit 4 Test Review I compiled various slides from previous PPTs that will be useful for studying.

U.S. Constitution

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? November 1777- March 1781: a Confederation (partnership) of independent equal states was formed Because of the experience of the American Revolution, Americans were frightened by a strong central government and showed more loyalty to their states The new government contained only one branch- unicameral legislature with no power to enforce laws or settle disputes (Georgia modeled their 1777 Constitution on 3 branches, but the legislature was unicameral and had all the real power including appointing the governor )

Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? continued Congress had no money and could not levy taxes; it could only ask states for “voluntary contributions” Congress had no power to regulate trade between states or with foreign nations Congress failed to protect citizens from state discrimination and economic difficulties after the war

Philadelphia Convention May- October 1787 55 delegates from 12 states; Georgia sent 4, but only William Few and Abraham Baldwin would sign the final document. Six compromises were needed to form the Constitution for a stronger national government: Separation of Powers Checks and Balances Federalism Representation Guarantees to the States Amending the Constitution

Representation in Congress “The Great Compromise” Congress created 2 houses- the House of Representatives with numbers based on population and the Senate with 2 representatives from each state Large states (ex. Virginia) wanted representation based on population Small states (ex. Delaware) wanted equal representation Heavy Slave states wanted to count slaves into population totals, but not taxable 3/5 of the slave population would be counted for population and taxes; Congress could not regulate the slave trade for 20 years (1808) Non Slave states did not want to count slaves into population totals; wanted Congress to regulate slave trade *Abraham Baldwin-GA-forced the compromise

“Supreme Law of the Land & settle legal disputes Separation of Power U. S. Constitution “Supreme Law of the Land Legislative Branch To make laws Executive Branch To carry out, enforce, & administer the laws Judicial Branch To interpret the laws & settle legal disputes

Checks and Balances Executive Branch Confirm appointments To further balance the power, each of the three branches could check the powers of the others Executive Branch Confirm appointments Impeach, override veto Determines if laws Are constitutional Appoints vacancies Power to veto Impeach, propose amendments Legislative Branch Judicial Branch Interpret laws, determine if they are constitutional

Federalism On the issue of a strong national government with strong state powers, the compromise consisted of distributing powers: National government is in charge of national matters ex. foreign policy; money In matters of both national & state government concern, they share power ex. highways; taxes In some matters, states are free to govern without national interference; local governments are arms of the state ex. education programs; traffic violations

Amending the Constitution How easy would it be to change this document on which the government was built? Not so easy as to be altered by changing, temporary emotions Must be flexible to grow with a changing nation 2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures must propose an amendment or call a convention to propose one; ¾ of the states would have to approve the proposed amendment for it to pass. In 200 years this has happened only 27 times.

Legislative Branch

Federal Government= Congress House of Representatives Number is based on the state’s population Currently 435 representatives 2 year terms “Speaker of the House” which is voted on by the majority party, is the presiding officer Senate 2 from each state 100 total 6 year terms VP is presiding officer, votes if there is a tie

Georgia General Assembly (meets for 40 days) House 180 members of the house Voted by the people for a 2 year term No limit on the number of terms Senate 56 members Voted by the people for a 2 year term

Qualifications to run for Georgia’s General Assembly Senate At least 25 yrs old Citizens of the US Citizens of GA for at least 2 yrs Legal resident of their district for 1 yr House At least 21 yrs old Citizen of US Citizen of GA for at least 2 yrs Legal resident of their district for 1 yr

Legislative Sessions Starts the second Mon. in January goes to mid-March (breaks don’t count) Lieutenant Governor: presides over the Senate- does not have a vote Speaker of the House: presides over the HR (elected) Both SOH and LG appoint committees, assign bills to committees, and chairpersons Speaker of the House has a vote only if there is a tie

How a bill becomes a law Steps: Proposal is submitted Copies of the bill are given to Congress Bill is assigned to a committee in the House(discussed) Committee can hold, vote out, make changes, or pass/not pass Bill is sent to the full house (50% + 1 vote to pass) When bill is certified (passed) then sent to the other chamber, the Senate Bill is assigned to a Senate committee (same as 4) If both pass in the same form, sent to the governor Governor can sign it, take no action (automatic law), or veto it (General Assembly can over ride veto with 2/3)

Special Committees Interim – work on certain issues between session of the legislature Conference – 3 senators and 3 representative work together, take their two versions and tries to write one bill that they both can agree upon Joint – members from both houses that work on assigned topic.

Executive Branch

Georgia’s Governor Governor: leaders of the state’s executive branch Qualifications: 30 years old or more U.S. citizen for at least 15 years GA resident for at least 6 years Terms of Office: 4 years May run for a second term

Informal powers of the Governor Communicating to the public a personal position on issues of interest to all Georgians Acting as honorary head of the political party Issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events Representing the state in meetings with state officials Meet with business leaders to expand their business in GA Working with legislators to get laws passed Guiding state agencies

Formal powers of the Governor Managing the states budget (receiving/spending money) Directing the attorney general to act as a representative in lower court cases involving state law “State of the State” address Preparing budget bills for the House of Representatives Commander in Chief for GA National Guard Heads GA’s defense units Sending GA Highway patrol and GBI into communities in times of danger

Lieutenant Governor Qualifications: same as Governor Term of Office: 30 years old or more U.S. citizen for at least 15 years GA resident for at least 6 years Term of Office: 4 years No limit on the number of terms

Organization of Executive Branch Departments with Elected Commissioners: Department of Agriculture: farming, matters relating to food/animals Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: health, safety, and life insurance Department of Labor: services for jobs, taxes, wages, unemployment benefits, and job training

Judicial Branch Review Vocabulary