1. Georgia’s Constitution of 1777

2. The Constitution of 1777 replaced the Rules and Regulations

3. The Constitutional convention was held in Savannah

4. Whig government Separation of powers (3 branches of government)
Rights of citizens to self-govern

5. 3 branches of government
Legislative branch (most powerful)
Executive branch (governor)
Judicial branch (courts)
8 parishes were changed to 8 counties

6. The new legislature was unicameral or one house
Why do you think they would change from a bicameral (2-house) legislature to a unicameral one?

7. Legislature
Made laws
Had power to appoint the governor (executive) to a 1 year term
Had power to appoint judges (judicial)
Executive council (12 legislators)
could accept or reject governor’s proposals
Why?
(Maybe because past governors were too loyal to the king?)

8. John Adam Treutlen 1st non-royal governor Salzburger
Helped write the Georgia Constitution of 1777 (with Button Gwinnett)
Treutlen County was named for him.
Was brutally murdered