1. Revolution in GA and Foundations of Government

2. Section 1: Creating A New Government
Essential Question
What was Georgia’s role in the Constitutional Convention?

3. 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

4. GA’s Role in the Constitutional Convention

5. - In May of 1787, delegates from each state except Rhode Island got together again to draft the Constitution.
- GA sent 4 delegates: William Pierce, William Houstoun, William Few, and Abraham Baldwin.
- Few and Baldwin had the greatest influence and impact as they were the only 2 to stick around the Constitutional Convention to sign the final draft of the Constitution of America.

6. GA Supported the Constitution b/c…
The Arts of Confederation failed to create an effective national government for the new nation.
Georgia needed the protection that a strong national government could provide against the aggressive Indian population.
They liked the Bill of Rights idea and the compromises in the constitution b/c individual liberties would be protected, and the national government would not be too strong.
Also, Spain was a potential threat, b/c they controlled East and West Florida b/c of the Treaty of Paris of 1783.

7. U.S. Constitution Ratified in 1788
Georgia was fourth state to ratify (approve) the new Constitution
Constitution could be amended (changed); first 10 amendments became Bill of Rights
George Washington became the first President

8. A fundamental plan of operation for a government
Define Constitution?
A fundamental plan of operation for a government
Highest level of law telling what government can and can’t do.
Sets up different branches of government
Includes important rights and liberties of the people
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9. Postwar Georgia
Economy in ruin; government provided food basics as farmers tried to reestablish their farms
Capital moved to Augusta
Georgia delegates met in 1788 and 1789; adopted state constitution similar to national government, with three branches
General Assembly had two houses, Senate and House of Representatives; appointed governor and judges; controlled spending decisions
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10. 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

11. The Constitutional Convention
1787: Constitutional Convention met in Philadelphia
Fifty-five representatives attended
George Washington presided over the convention
Most members well-educated and conservative
Delegates knew problems of the weak national government and sought solution
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12. A Republican Form of Government
Delegates studied many types of government
republic: a form of government in which power resides with the citizens who elect representatives to make laws
James Madison described a government in which a large number of people voted for the representatives

13. Organizing Government
Large states and small states had different interests
Virginia Plan:
strong national government
three branches (legislative, judicial, executive)
legislative branch (House of Representatives and Senate) elected by proportional representation (large states get more votes)
Small states did not like Virginia Plan because they could be dominated by large states
New Jersey Plan: gave more power to small states, but had a weak national government; number of representatives would be the same for each state.

14. The Great Compromise
Great Compromise, or Connecticut Compromise: House of Representative would have “proportional representation” and Senate “equal representation”
2 Houses would make up Congress aka the Legislative Branch, not 1:
The House of Reps – States would be represented according to population.
The Senate – Each state would have 2 senators, regardless of state population.

15. 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

16. Compromise on the Presidency
Should citizens or Congress elect the President?
Decided on electoral college system:
Each state’s legislature allowed to have as many “electors” as they had members of Congress
State representatives voted for the electors who would vote for President and Vice-President

17. 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

18. Principles of the U.S. Government
Sovereignty: supreme power of government rests with the people
electorate (voters) choose leaders to make laws and run the country
US is not a “democracy” but a representative democracy or republic
Constitutionalism: all representatives are bound by the rules of the Constitution
lawmakers cannot just make up laws as they see fit
Federalism: national government and state governments share power and authority
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