Government Unit: The Constitution and Its Power

Articles of Confederation Articles of Confederation First attempt at a governing document. First attempt at a governing document. –Created a weak national government with the emphasis on STATES’ RIGHTS: a loose union where the state maintained its own sovereignty, freedom, and independence “…a firm league of friendship with each other…” One house legislature (Unicameral) One house legislature (Unicameral) –Confederation Congress Each State had ONE vote Each State had ONE vote –9 out 13 states had to approve any decision

Federal Gov’t Powers Powers of Congress 1. Declare war 2. Coin money 3. Establish Post Offices 4. Send and recall ambassadors Congress could NOT 1. Levy taxes –Impose or place upon 2. Regulate or control trade of goods 3. Tariffs were set by the states –Taxes on imported goods 4. No Judicial or Executive (President) branches

Constitutional Convention Began as a way for the large states to discuss trade issues. Began as a way for the large states to discuss trade issues. Met SECRETLY in Philadelphia (1787). Met SECRETLY in Philadelphia (1787). 55 Delegates 55 Delegates –Every state but Rhode Island –Wealthy, respected, merchants, physicians, generals, governors, lawyers… George Washington— Chairman George Washington— Chairman James Madison— ”Father of the Constitution” James Madison— ”Father of the Constitution” –Drafted much of the final copy James Madison

The Virginia Plan Large States Proposed by Governor Edmund Randolph (Virginia) Proposed by Governor Edmund Randolph (Virginia) Included the following: Included the following: –3 Branches of government –Checks and balances –Bicameral legislature –Membership based on free population of state –Legislature chooses executive –Make laws –Set up the courts Small states felt this gave far too much power to the Larger states Small states felt this gave far too much power to the Larger states StatePopStatePop DL59NC394 GA83VA692 NJ184NY340 RI69PA434 NH142MD320 SC249MA379 CT238 Chart is in thousands SmallLarge

The New Jersey Plan Small States Wanted to change very little about the Articles of Confederation. Wanted to change very little about the Articles of Confederation. –Unicameral legislature Each state would have equal representation. Each state would have equal representation. Allow Congress to tax nation’s citizens Allow Congress to tax nation’s citizens Edmund Randolph

The Great Compromise The Great Compromise Connecticut (Small State) Took ideas from both plans and constructed what we now know as the Constitution. Took ideas from both plans and constructed what we now know as the Constitution. –Compromise: a way to settle disagreements in which each side gives way a little in it’s demands Created a bicameral (two house) legislature: Created a bicameral (two house) legislature: –Senate: upper house…each state has 2 members –House of Representatives: lower house…by state population Roger Sherman, Connecticut

Secondary Convention Issues 1. Slavery –Three-fifths Compromise: 3/5 of the states slave population could count towards the overall population  i.e slaves in a state=3000 counted towards that states population –The U.S. Constitution does NOT mention slavery –An agreement was made that in 20 years (1807) importation of slaves would stop –Fugitive Workers Clause: Runaway slaves must be returned to their masters 2. Representation –House of Representatives: popular vote –Senate: selected by the state legislature –President: Electoral vote  Commander-in-Chief of U.S. armed forces  Responsible for relations with other countries  4 year term What made the Constitution a great document was that it allowed for changes as the country grew (Amendment Process) What made the Constitution a great document was that it allowed for changes as the country grew (Amendment Process) –Amend: to change without having to rewrite (Bill of Rights: 1 st Ten)

Constitutional Facts Georgia Signers: Abraham Baldwin and William Few Georgia Signers: Abraham Baldwin and William Few –Delegates also included: William Pierce and William Houstoun 9 States needed to ratify (approve) the Constitution: 9 States needed to ratify (approve) the Constitution: –Delaware: 1 st to ratify Constitution –Georgia: 4 th to ratify Constitution (Jan. 2, 1788) –Rhode Island: last to ratify Constitution (1790)  Wanted all (Large) states to ratify before they signed. George Washington: 1 st President of U.S. (Aug. 30, 1789) George Washington: 1 st President of U.S. (Aug. 30, 1789) Abraham BaldwinWilliam Few

Post-Revolutionary Georgia 1785: Georgia’s capital moved from Savannah to Augusta 1785: Georgia’s capital moved from Savannah to Augusta –Met to change state constitution to be more like United States (1789)  Bicameral Legislature –General Assembly 1789 : Georgia’s 2 nd Constitution…to model after the U.S. Constitution 1789 : Georgia’s 2 nd Constitution…to model after the U.S. Constitution –(Bicameral-GA General Assembly) Census (1790): the 1 st counting of U.S. citizens, occurs every 10 years. Census (1790): the 1 st counting of U.S. citizens, occurs every 10 years. p Historic Augusta

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