1. Lesson 3: GA’s Constitution & Articles of Confederation

2. Articles of Confederation
1781- each state had an equal vote in Congress, regardless of size & population
Under this, US is a loose confederation of states (weak central govt.)

3. State of the Union after the Revolution
Economy was shaky and states wanted to make money
states encouraged self-sufficiency (discouraged trade)
No central currency, no agreement on river navigation, & boundary arguments
Shay’s Rebellion in Massachusetts-1786

4. Articles of Confederation
National Powers
Declare war
Coin money
Establish post offices
Send and recall ambassadors
State Powers
1 vote per state in congress
Could refuse to give money to Congress
Could refuse to send troops for national defense
Coined their own money

5. Weaknesses of The Articles of Confederation
Couldn’t levy (impose) taxes to fund government (had to ask states)
Couldn’t regulate trade of goods between states
Strong Legislative branch & no Executive or Judicial branches
Each state had own currency (money)
All 13 states had to approve a law for it to pass
ONE vote per state, no matter the size of the state’s population

6. Constitutional Convention-1787
Delegates from each state come to Philadelphia
4 from GA- William Pierce, William Houston, William Few, & Abraham Baldwin
GA issues-keep slavery, strong central govt., & help defending against Indian raids (Creeks)

7. GA’s role in the CC of 1787
1) Unrelenting support of slavery (3/5ths compromise)- Temporary resolution to a slavery issue-later led to war between North & South 2) Abraham Baldwin-Given credit for changing his vote to side with the “small states” in the Congressional representation debate. This decision evened the numbers for and against the Virginia Plan & allowed for the Great Compromise.

8. Federal System Emerges…
Legislative- make the laws (Congress-House and Senate)
Executive- carry out the laws (President and his Cabinet)
Judicial- interpret the law and settle disputes
(Supreme Court & lower courts)
-Checks & Balances
NATIONAL & STATE GOVTS. HAVE SPECIFIC & SEPARATE POWERS

11. Constitution of 1777 & Constitution of 1789
Georgia’s Government
Constitution of 1777
&
Constitution of 1789

12. Georgia 1777 Government Unicameral (one house) legislative
-Had most power
-Ability to appoint members of judicial and executive branch (state governor)
One year term for governor (had little power)
Powers given to executive council & not to the people
State’s constitution for 12 years

13. Georgia 1789 Government
Bicameral (2 houses) legislature created call General Assembly with House of Representatives and Senate
Legislature raised and spent money

14. Stayed the same 3 branches of government Legislative Executive
Judicial
Supreme power in the hands of the legislature
Appoint Governor
Appoint Judges

15. Both Georgia governments…
RESEMBLED WHAT?????

16. GA’s Constitution
1789- GA adopted a constitution more in line with the national constitution
Similarities: GA legislature-bicameral, govt.-3 branches
Differences: powers were not balanced at this time; General Assembly (legislature had most power), superior courts, county inferior courts