Creating a New Government in the Nation and in Georgia

Articles of Confederation The first constitution of the United States. Designed to have weak central government Protected States Rights Unicameral legislature Ratified in 1781

Weakness National government cannot impose or collect taxes No national currency No national court system No executive branch One vote per state regardless of population Two-thirds majority to pass laws Unanimous consent needed to amend the Articles of Confederation There was no national army or navy.

Strengths 1 To declare war and make peace. 2 To coin and borrow money 3 To detail with foreign countries and sign treaties 4 To operate post offices

GA Constitution of 1777 Savannah, May 1777 Replaced “Rules and Regulations” that governed the colony during the Revolutionary War. Modeled after the AOC Selected John Treutlen as the first governor

GA Constitution 1777 Unicameral legislature Appoints judiciary branch Appoints executive branch (governor) Governor is appointed for 1 year Governor is selected by an Executive Council (12 members from the legislature) Weakness: Legislature too powerful

Constitutional Convention of 1787 Virginia ask for a meeting to discuss trade problems among the states. 1st Constitutional Convention accomplishes nothing. 2nd Constitutional Convention called to Philadelphia, Pa. May 1787 to discuss issues with the AOC Rhode Island does not attend: oppose a strong central government.

Virginia Plan 3 branches of government Legislative, executive, judicial Congress – 2 houses House of Representative – elected by the people Senate – elected by the House of Rep. Representation base on State population Favored by the large states

New Jersey Plan Congress – unicameral Levy taxes, trade, laws, treaties – state law could not override congress. Executive – consists of several people; elected by congress Judicial – appointed by excutive Representation is equal for each state

The Great Compromise Called for a bicameral congress House of Rep – based on population Senate – equal representation 3/5 Compromise Counted slaves as 3/5 of a person for population count Slave trade to end in 20 years Fugitive slaves will be returned to their owners

US Constitution Replaced the Articles of Confederation Ratified September 17, 1787 Antifederalist insisted on the Bill of Rights – approved in 1791 Bill of Rights written to protect the rights of the citizens.

Georgia Signers on the US Constitution Abraham Baldwin William Few Georgia calls special convention to quickly approve the Constitution. Georgia was the 4th state to ratify the Constitution on Jan. 2, 1788.

Georgia ratifies constitution Georgia becomes the 4th state to ratify the US Constitution. Georgia was moving westward into land occupied by Indians. Georgia needed strong national government to help protect it from Indian threat. US Constitution ratified Jan. 2, 1788 by a vote of 26-0.

Think in Three’s Describe the Virginia Plan Describe the New Jersey Plan Describe The Great Compromise Explain how The Great Compromise settled the debate over the US Constitution.