Strengths and Weaknesses of the GA Constitution of 1777 Strengths Strengths and Weaknesses of the GA Constitution of 1777 Strengths Weaknesses 1. Based upon separation of powers and rights of citizens. 2. Counties were created. 1. Unicameral Legislature (one house) 2. Legislative body too powerful.

6 Each state could issue its own paper money Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses 1 .To declare war and make peace. 2 To coin and borrow money 1 The national government could not force the states to obey its laws. 2 It did not have the power to tax 3 It did not have the power to enforce laws 4 There was no national army or navy 5 There was no system of national courts 6 Each state could issue its own paper money

Toward a New Constitution Articles of Confederation: rules that governed United States after the Revolutionary War Weaknesses of the Articles: congress could not pay soldiers states could not be forced to pay trade between states not regulated trade with other countries not controlled George Washington and other leaders agreed to gather to discuss the problems

The Constitutional Convention 1787: Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia Fifty-five representatives attended George Washington presided over the convention Delegates knew problems of the weak national government and sought solution

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 Senate and House of Representatives established; only three-fifths of slave population would count toward representation

The Great Compromise Equal Representation: each state would have equal votes in Congress – favored by small states Great Compromise, or Connecticut Compromise: House of Representative would have “proportional representation” and Senate “equal representation”

Compromises on Slavery Slaves were a large part of population in the South Debate as to whether to count slaves in “proportional representation” of House of Representatives Three-Fifths Compromise: States were allowed to count 3 of every 5 slaves in their census for purposes of representation Agreed to stop importing slaves after 1808

Ratification ratification: to approve or make valid September 17, 1787: Constitution approved Federalists: people who wanted a strong national government Antifederalists: wanted states to have more power than national government By 1791, ten amendments approved – known as The Bill of Rights – to protect citizens’ rights Delaware was first state to ratify; Georgia was the fourth state to ratify June 1788 – Constitution ratified by 9 states and becomes the framework for US government