Strength and Weaknesses Georgia Constitution of 1777 And the Articles of Confederation

Georgia Constitution of 1777 After the Declaration of Independence was adopted Georgia’s provincial congress met to create a new government. The Constitution of 1777 created a separate legislative, executive, and judicial branch One house legislature—had the most power Legislature elected the governor and other state officials Governor served one term A superior court was created for each county

Georgia Constitution of 1777 Strengths Separation of government branches Protection of basic rights Weaknesses Legislature had too much power (elected governor and other state officials) Legislature had only one house so they had no one to check them Governor was only elected to one year term (limited effectiveness) It was not ratified by the people so it did not fully represent their interests or desires

“T” Chart Georgia Constitution of 1777 STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES Still have Legislative Branch Three Branches Three Branches had separate powers Established counties—replaced parishes Established local (county) governments Legislature was unicameral (one house) No “checks and balances”-no second house in Legislative Branch Governor served only 1 year Executive branch was weak-couldn’t veto laws, grant pardons Legislative elected council-had power to veto the Governor Three branches but the legislative branch was much more powerful than the others

Articles of Confederation Written to be the foundation of our new national government At 1st it was written with a strong central government Many states disagreed with the idea of a strong central government When passed the Articles of Confederation set up a weak national government States had a lot of authority over their own rules and laws

Articles of Confederation Weaknesses: No way to levy taxes—the country is unable to pay debts or soldiers No way to regulate trade-created problems between the states Could pass laws but had no way to enforce them on a state level Each state received only one vote regardless of population No executive or judicial branch of government only legislative—No one to decide disputes No way to raise an army without the states’ permission—nation is defenseless

“T” Chart Articles of Confederation STRENGTHS WEAKNESSES First written Constitution of the new nation Had a legislature Strong state governments weak central government No executive or judicial branch (no one to enforce laws or hear disputes) Did not allow the central (federal) government to impose taxes Weak Union, feared a strong central government No “Checks and Balances” Central government did not have taxes, so no military Central government did not print money States had all the power Each state had an equal vote in congress regardless of size or population

Why the change? Weak central government A confederation, or partnership, of independent states Economy was shaky States issued near worthless paper money that merchants would not accept State governments discouraged trade by taxing products of other states Shay’s rebellion (Massachusetts levied taxes to pay for war debt, and a group led by Daniel Shays rebelled)

Constitutional Convention Philadelphia Georgia sends four delegates – William Pierce, William Houston, William Few, and Abraham Baldwin Georgia delegates looked after interest of state opposed ban on slavery supported strong central government

Compromises Great Compromise Three-Fifths Compromise The Commerce Compromise The Slave Trade

The Great Compromise Problem Solution Legislative Branch States with large populations wanted representation based on population. States with small populations wanted representation equal representation Two House legislature created Senate – equal representation (2 per state) House of Representative – based on population

Role of Abraham Baldwin Cast a critical vote to that ended in a tie. Kept the convention together Allowed for the compromise

Georgians who signed the U.S. Constitution Abraham Baldwin William Few