1. SS8H4a Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the Georgia Constitution of 1777 and the Articles of Confederation and explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to a need to revise the Articles. Concepts: Governance Rule of Law

2. GEORGIA STATEHOOD and the U.S. CONSTITUTION ESSENTIAL QUESTION What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Georgia Constitution of 1777?

3. GEORGIA CONSTITUTION OF 1777 STRENGTHS Separation of Powers 8 Counties (local government) each county had its own government, court, school, and militia Citizens were guaranteed freedom of religion, press, and trial by jury WEAKNESSES Uni-cameral legislature (one house) had too much power – appoint (choose) the Governor and judges Governor served only a 1 year term Only white men 21 and over with property could vote Amending (changing) the constitution was difficult

4. GA Constitution of 1777 EXECUTIVE LEGISLATIVE JUDICIARY GOVERNOR Appointed by executive council 1 year term Very little power Appointed by legislature Power to appoint Governor and judges Have most of the power Uni-cameral (1 house) called the House of Assembly LEGISLATORS (lawmakers) STATE JUDGES

5. Primary Source Document GEORGIA CONSTITUTION OF 1777 Article IX. All male white inhabitants, of the age of twenty-one years, and possessed in his own right of ten pounds value, and liable to pay tax in this State, or being of any mechanic trade, and shall have been resident six months in this State, shall have a right to vote at all elections for representatives, or any other officers...

6. SS8H4a Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the Georgia Constitution of 1777 and the Articles of Confederation and explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to a need to revise the Articles. Concepts: Governance Rule of Law

7. GEORGIA STATEHOOD and the U.S. CONSTITUTION PAGE 30 IN GEORGIA JOURNAL SS8H4a ESSENTIAL QUESTION What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

9. Articles of Confederation It was basically the first U.S. Constitution. After the Declaration of Independence, it formally united the colonies against Britain. It created Congress which had authority over all the colonies. All thirteen colonies would be represented in Congress.

10. ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION STRENGTHS 1 st constitution Central government Federalism – power divided between central (national) gov’t and individual state gov’t Congress could: –Declare war –Sign treaties –Deliver mail –Create money WEAKNESSES Weak national gov’t State gov’t too strong Uni-cameral legislature (Congress) States only had 1 representative and 1 vote in Congress No executive branch or president No national court system Could not tax the states to raise money Could not regulate (control) trade Could not enforce laws Each state had its own currency and militia Too difficult to amend (change) the Articles

14. SS8H4b Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; include the role of Abraham Baldwin and William Few, and reasons why Georgia ratified the new constitution. Concepts: Individuals – Groups – Institutions Governance Conflict and Change Rule of Law

15. GEORGIA STATEHOOD and the U.S. CONSTITUTION PAGE 31 IN GEORGIA JOURNAL SS8H4b ESSENTIAL QUESTION What role did Georgia’s Abraham Baldwin and William Few play in the Constitutional Convention of 1787?

16. Constitutional Convention of 1787 Why did our Founding Fathers need to revise the Articles of Confederation? To create a stronger Federal (national / central) government that would UNITE the young country together. What happened to the Articles of Confederation? The Founding Fathers wrote a new constitution

18. ABRAHAM BALDWIN WILLIAM FEW BOTH MEN WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM GEORGIA WHO HELPED CREATE AND SIGN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION. ABRAHAM BALDWIN PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE GREAT COMPROMISE THAT HELPED CREATE A BI-CAMERAL LEGISLATURE WILLIAM FEW HELPED WRITE THE CONSTITUTION

19. CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION of 1787

20. Constitutional Convention of 1787 CAUSEEFFECT ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATION THE U.S. CONSTITUTION State governments had too much power National government could not levy taxes, enforce laws, or control trade No executive branch (President) No judicial branch (no federal courts to settle disputes between the states) Federal government becomes more powerful Separation of Powers - Legislative branch makes laws - Executive branch enforce laws - Judicial branch interpret laws Bi-cameral legislature House of Representatives based on state population Senate – 2 representatives from each state Great Compromise: Bi-cameral legislature benefits both big and small states (population) 3/5ths Compromise: 3 out of 5 slaves counted toward population and were also taxed Bill of Rights: 1 st ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing rights for citizens

21. 2 REPRESENTATIIVES FROM EACH STATE REPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH STATE BASED ON POPULATION BI-CAMERAL

22. GEORGIA STATEHOOD and the U.S. CONSTITUTION PAGE 32 IN GEORGIA JOURNAL SS8H4b ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why did Georgia ratify the new U.S. Constitution?

23. RATIFYING THE US CONSTITUTION Why did Georgia ratify the new U.S. Constitution? Wanted federal gov’t to have power to unite the country Needed federal gov’t to help fight Native Americans in order for Georgians to move westward onto new lands 4 th state to ratify on January 2 nd, 1788