1. Unit 4 Test Review
I compiled various slides from previous PPTs that will be useful for studying.

2. U.S. Constitution

3. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail?
November March 1781: a Confederation (partnership) of independent equal states was formed
Because of the experience of the American Revolution, Americans were frightened by a strong central government and showed more loyalty to their states
The new government contained only one branch- unicameral legislature with no power to enforce laws or settle disputes (Georgia modeled their 1777 Constitution on 3 branches, but the legislature was unicameral and had all the real power including appointing the governor )

4. Why did the Articles of Confederation fail? continued
Congress had no money and could not levy taxes; it could only ask states for “voluntary contributions”
Congress had no power to regulate trade between states or with foreign nations
Congress failed to protect citizens from state discrimination and economic difficulties after the war

5. Philadelphia Convention May- October delegates from 12 states; Georgia sent 4, but only William Few and Abraham Baldwin would sign the final document.
Six compromises were needed to form the Constitution for a stronger national government:
Separation of Powers
Checks and Balances
Federalism
Representation
Guarantees to the States
Amending the Constitution

6. Representation in Congress “The Great Compromise”
Congress created 2 houses- the House of Representatives with numbers based on population and the Senate with 2 representatives from each state
Large states (ex. Virginia) wanted representation based on population
Small states (ex. Delaware) wanted equal representation
Heavy Slave states wanted to count slaves into population totals, but not taxable
3/5 of the slave population would be counted for population and taxes; Congress could not regulate the slave trade for 20 years (1808)
Non Slave states did not want to count slaves into population totals; wanted Congress to regulate slave trade
*Abraham Baldwin-GA-forced the
compromise

7. “Supreme Law of the Land & settle legal disputes
Separation of Power
U. S. Constitution
“Supreme Law of the Land
Legislative Branch
To make laws
Executive Branch
To carry out, enforce,
& administer the laws
Judicial Branch
To interpret the laws
& settle legal disputes

8. Checks and Balances Executive Branch Confirm appointments
To further balance the power, each of the three branches could check the powers of the others
Executive Branch
Confirm appointments
Impeach, override veto
Determines if laws
Are constitutional
Appoints
vacancies
Power to veto
Impeach, propose amendments
Legislative Branch
Judicial Branch
Interpret laws, determine
if they are constitutional

9. Federalism
On the issue of a strong national government with strong state powers, the compromise consisted of distributing powers:
National government is in charge of national matters
ex. foreign policy; money
In matters of both national & state government concern, they share power
ex. highways; taxes
In some matters, states are free to govern without national interference; local governments are arms of the state
ex. education programs; traffic violations

10. Amending the Constitution
How easy would it be to change this document on which the government was built?
Not so easy as to be altered by changing, temporary emotions
Must be flexible to grow with a changing nation
2/3 of both houses of Congress or 2/3 of state legislatures must propose an amendment or call a convention to propose one; ¾ of the states would have to approve the proposed amendment for it to pass. In 200 years this has happened only 27 times.

11. Legislative Branch

12. Federal Government= Congress
House of Representatives
Number is based on the state’s population
Currently 435 representatives
2 year terms
“Speaker of the House” which is voted on by the majority party, is the presiding officer
Senate
2 from each state
100 total
6 year terms
VP is presiding officer, votes if there is a tie

13. Georgia General Assembly (meets for 40 days)
House
180 members of the house
Voted by the people for a 2 year term
No limit on the number of terms
Senate
56 members
Voted by the people for a 2 year term

14. Qualifications to run for Georgia’s General Assembly
Senate
At least 25 yrs old
Citizens of the US
Citizens of GA for at least 2 yrs
Legal resident of their district for 1 yr
House
At least 21 yrs old
Citizen of US
Citizen of GA for at least 2 yrs
Legal resident of their district for 1 yr

15. Legislative Sessions
Starts the second Mon. in January goes to mid-March (breaks don’t count)
Lieutenant Governor: presides over the Senate- does not have a vote
Speaker of the House: presides over the HR (elected)
Both SOH and LG appoint committees, assign bills to committees, and chairpersons
Speaker of the House has a vote only if there is a tie

16. How a bill becomes a law Steps: Proposal is submitted
Copies of the bill are given to Congress
Bill is assigned to a committee in the House(discussed)
Committee can hold, vote out, make changes, or pass/not pass
Bill is sent to the full house (50% + 1 vote to pass)
When bill is certified (passed) then sent to the other chamber, the Senate
Bill is assigned to a Senate committee (same as 4)
If both pass in the same form, sent to the governor
Governor can sign it, take no action (automatic law), or veto it (General Assembly can over ride veto with 2/3)

17. Special Committees
Interim – work on certain issues between session of the legislature
Conference – 3 senators and 3 representative work together, take their two versions and tries to write one bill that they both can agree upon
Joint – members from both houses that work on assigned topic.

18. Executive Branch

19. Georgia’s Governor Governor: leaders of the state’s executive branch
Qualifications:
30 years old or more
U.S. citizen for at least 15 years
GA resident for at least 6 years
Terms of Office:
4 years
May run for a second term

20. Informal powers of the Governor
Communicating to the public a personal position on issues of interest to all Georgians
Acting as honorary head of the political party
Issuing proclamations to honor individuals, holidays, or special events
Representing the state in meetings with state officials
Meet with business leaders to expand their business in GA
Working with legislators to get laws passed
Guiding state agencies

21. Formal powers of the Governor
Managing the states budget (receiving/spending money)
Directing the attorney general to act as a representative in lower court cases involving state law
“State of the State” address
Preparing budget bills for the House of Representatives
Commander in Chief for GA National Guard
Heads GA’s defense units
Sending GA Highway patrol and GBI into communities in times of danger

22. Lieutenant Governor Qualifications: same as Governor Term of Office:
30 years old or more
U.S. citizen for at least 15 years
GA resident for at least 6 years
Term of Office:
4 years
No limit on the number of terms

23. Organization of Executive Branch
Departments with Elected Commissioners:
Department of Agriculture: farming, matters relating to food/animals
Office of the Commissioner of Insurance: health, safety, and life insurance
Department of Labor: services for jobs, taxes, wages, unemployment benefits, and job training

24. Judicial Branch
Review Vocabulary