1. Strengths and Weaknesses of the GA Constitution of 1777 Strengths
Strengths and Weaknesses of the GA Constitution of 1777 Strengths Weaknesses
1. Based upon separation of powers and rights of citizens.
2. Counties were created.
1. Unicameral Legislature (one house)
2. Legislative body too powerful.

2. 6 Each state could issue its own paper money
Strengths and Weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation Strengths Weaknesses
1 .To declare war and make peace.
2 To coin and borrow money
1 The national government could not force the states to obey its laws.
2 It did not have the power to tax
3 It did not have the power to enforce laws
4 There was no national army or navy
5 There was no system of national courts
6 Each state could issue its own paper money

3. Toward a New Constitution
Articles of Confederation: rules that governed United States after the Revolutionary War
Weaknesses of the Articles:
congress could not pay soldiers
states could not be forced to pay
trade between states not regulated
trade with other countries not controlled
George Washington and other leaders agreed to gather to discuss the problems

4. The Constitutional Convention
1787: Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia
Fifty-five representatives attended
George Washington presided over the convention
Delegates knew problems of the weak national government and sought solution

5. Constitutional Convention of 1787
William Few and Abraham Baldwin represented Georgia at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia; George Washington presided
U.S. Constitution established three governmental branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Senate and House of Representatives established; only three-fifths of slave population would count toward representation

6. The Great Compromise
Equal Representation: each state would have equal votes in Congress – favored by small states
Great Compromise, or Connecticut Compromise: House of Representative would have “proportional representation” and Senate “equal representation”

7. Compromises on Slavery
Slaves were a large part of population in the South
Debate as to whether to count slaves in “proportional representation” of House of Representatives
Three-Fifths Compromise: States were allowed to count 3 of every 5 slaves in their census for purposes of representation
Agreed to stop importing slaves after 1808

8. Ratification ratification: to approve or make valid
September 17, 1787: Constitution approved
Federalists: people who wanted a strong national government
Antifederalists: wanted states to have more power than national government
By 1791, ten amendments approved – known as The Bill of Rights – to protect citizens’ rights
Delaware was first state to ratify; Georgia was the fourth state to ratify
June 1788 – Constitution ratified by 9 states and becomes the framework for US government