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

2. 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

3. 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

4. “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

5. 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

6. 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

7. “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

8. 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)

9. 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

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

11. 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

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

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