Georgia Studies
Georgia’s Constitution and the
Articles of Confederation
Georgia’s Constitution and the
Articles of Confederation
Learning Objectives:
SS8H4 The student will describe the impact of events that led to the
ratification of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
a. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the Georgia
Constitution of 1777 and the Articles of Confederation and explain
how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to a need to
revise the Articles.
b. Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of
1787; include the role of Abraham Baldwin and William Few, and
reasons why Georgia ratified the new constitution.
Georgia’s Constitution and
the Articles of Confederation
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ESSENTIAL QUESTION
 What
led to the evolution of Georgia’s
government from a royal colony to a
constitutional democracy?
Georgia’s First State
Constitution
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About 1/3 of Georgians remained loyal to
Great Britain; they were called loyalists or
Tories
1777 – Georgia Constitution adopted at
Constitutional Convention in Savannah
Eight counties formed: Burke, Camden,
Chatham, Effingham, Glynn, Richmond,
Wilkes, and Liberty
The patriots (separation of powers and
giving citizens rights to agree how they were
governed Whigs) influenced a state
constitution
The 1777 Georgia
Constitution
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The governor’s power was limited
Executive Council (12 legislators) held
greatest power
Council could overrule the governor’s
decisions
John Treutlen appointed Georgia’s first
governor
Georgia’s 1777 Constitution changed in
1789
“T” Chart
Georgia Constitution of 1777
Strengths
• Still have Legislative Branch
• Three Branches
• Three Branches had separate
powers
• Established counties – replaced
parishes
• Established local (county)
governments
Weaknesses
• Legislature Unicameral (one
house)
• Not “Checks and Balances” – No
second house in Legislative Branch
• Governor served only 1 Year
• Executive Branch (Governor) was
weak – Couldn’t Veto Laws, grant
pardons, “Chief Executive” only by
name
• Legislative elected council – had
power to veto the Governor
• Three Branches, but the Legislative
was more powerful than the others
CHECKING FOR UNDERSTANDING
Problems with Georgia's
Constitution
The Articles of
Confederation
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First Constitution of
the United States of
America
Ratified (approved)
on July 4, 1776
Went into effect in
January 1781, when
ratified by Maryland
and Virginia
“T” Chart
Articles of Confederation
Strengths
• First written constitution – Articles
of Confederation (Nov. 1777)
• Had a Legislature
• Strong State governments
Weaknesses
• Weak central government
• No Executive or Judicial Branch – no
one to enforce laws or hear disputes
• Did not allow the central (federal)
government to levy (impose) taxes
• Weak Union, feared strong central
government
• No “Checks and Balances”
• Central Government did not have taxes,
so no military
• Central Government did not print money
•All power lied with the states
•Each state had an equal vote in
Congress – regardless of size or
population
Checking For Understanding
Articles of Confederation
Constitutional
Convention of 1787
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William Few and Abraham Baldwin represented
Georgia at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in
Philadelphia; George Washington presided
U.S. Constitution established 3 governmental
branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial
Each branch could check the power of the other
branches (Checks and Balances).
Senate and House of Representatives
established; only three-fifths of slave population
would count toward representation
U.S. Constitution
Ratified in 1788
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Georgia was fourth state to ratify
(approve) the new Constitution
Constitution could be amended
(changed); first 10 amendments
became the Bill of Rights
George Washington became the first
President
Postwar Georgia
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Economy in ruin; government provided food basics
as farmers tried to reestablish their farms
Capital moved to Augusta; continued to move
west as the population of Georgia expanded
westward.
Georgia delegates met in 1788 and 1789; adopted
state constitution (Constitution of 1789) similar to
national government, with three branches
General Assembly was bicameral (two houses),
Senate and House of Representatives; appointed
governor and judges; controlled spending
decisions
1st Ten Amendments to the
US Constitution
Essential Question:
What was the purpose of the Bill of Rights?
a. To limit the power of the central
government.
b. To enumerate the rights of the citizen
st
1
Ten Amendments to the
US Constitution
• First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an
establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or
abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the
people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for
a redress of grievances.
• Second Amendment: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to
the security of a free State, the right of
• Third Amendment: No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered
in any house, without the consent of the Owner, nor in time of war,
but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
1st Ten Amendments to the
US Constitution
• Fourth Amendment: The right of the people to be secure in their
persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches
and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon
probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly
describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be
seized.
• Fifth Amendment: No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or
otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a
Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the
Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall
any person be subject for the same 0ffense to be twice put in jeopardy of
life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due
process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use, without
just compensation.
1st Ten Amendments to the
US Constitution
• Sixth Amendment: In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the
right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district
wherein the crime shall have been committed, which district shall have been
previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of
the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have
compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
Assistance of Counsel for his defense.
• Seventh Amendment: In suits at common law, where the value in
controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be
preserved, and no fact tried by a jury, shall be otherwise reexamined in any
Court of the United States, than according to the rules of the common law.
1st Ten Amendments to the
US Constitution
• Eighth Amendment: Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive
fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.
• Ninth Amendment: The enumeration in the Constitution, of certain
rights, shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the
people.
• Tenth Amendment: The powers not delegated to the United States by
the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the
States respectively, or to the people.