AKS 33D
The Rise of American Democracy
How will we run this place?
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AKS 33d
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation
The national government established by the Articles of Confederation (what is a confederation?) had little power, which is what its authors wanted. Because of its weaknesses, the Confederation government could not make the thirteen separate states into one nation.
Well, at least it was a start. The national government was very weak. They had strict limitations such as:
1. They could not levy taxes
2. A unanimous vote was required to change the
Articles.
3. 9 of 13 colonies must agree to all other actions.
4. There was no regulation of currency or commerce.
5. They were unable to direct infrastructure improvements such as roads.
Of course the first national government established by the new Americans was weak. Americans were scared of creating a big and powerful central government like Great Britain's after what they had been through.
Well, at least it was a start. The national government was very weak. They had strict limitations such as:
1. They could not levy taxes
2. A unanimous vote was required to change the
Articles.
3. 9 of 13 colonies must agree to all other actions.
4. There was no regulation of currency or commerce.
5. They were unable to direct infrastructure improvements such as roads.
Of course the first national government established by the new Americans was weak. Americans were scared of creating a big and powerful central government like Great Britain's after what they had been through.
AKS 33D
Assess how weaknesses led to the need for revision
Assess how weaknesses led to the need for revision
The inability of the Articles to govern posed obvious problems.
The colonies were in danger of falling apart after the winning the war. Weakness might lead to other countries attempting to take what Great Britain had just lost.
Without a stronger central government, the newborn Country was likely to fail.
The colonies were in danger of falling apart after the winning the war. Weakness might lead to other countries attempting to take what Great Britain had just lost.
Without a stronger central government, the newborn Country was likely to fail.
AKS 35a
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Georgia Constitution of 1777
Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of Georgia Constitution of 1777
Georgia decided on a government that would be based on the separation of powers and the rights of citizens to agree with how they were governed. In May 1777, Georgia adopted its first state constitution at a constitutional convention held in Savannah. The parish system was done away with, and eight counties were formed.
There were problems:
Rather than a bicameral legislature, the Constitution of 1777 provided for a unicameral, or one-house legislature. This single legislative body had very broad powers, including the ability to make appointments for the judicial branch (the courts) and the executive branch (the governor). The members of the constitutional convention wanted to limit severely the influence and power of the governor. They proposed a one-year term for the governor. The governor was to be selected by the legislature rather than voted on by the people. The actual power, therefore, was in the hands of twelve lawmakers from the legislature who served as an executive council. The executive council could accept of reject any proposals initiated by the governor. The constitutional convention selected John Treutlen, a Salzberger, as the first state governor over Button Gwinnett. It also adopted a new state seal. Although the constitution of 1777 was changed in 1789, this first endeavor in providing for state's rights was an important step in Georgia's development.
-Positives are a stretch, but at least it was a start.
-Unicameral Legislature with virtually all power.
-Appointed the governor and judges to the judicial branch. In effect, it controlled all three branches.
-Governors powers were extremely limited.
-Executive council was too powerful
-First State Constitution to spell out separation of powers between the three branches
There were problems:
Rather than a bicameral legislature, the Constitution of 1777 provided for a unicameral, or one-house legislature. This single legislative body had very broad powers, including the ability to make appointments for the judicial branch (the courts) and the executive branch (the governor). The members of the constitutional convention wanted to limit severely the influence and power of the governor. They proposed a one-year term for the governor. The governor was to be selected by the legislature rather than voted on by the people. The actual power, therefore, was in the hands of twelve lawmakers from the legislature who served as an executive council. The executive council could accept of reject any proposals initiated by the governor. The constitutional convention selected John Treutlen, a Salzberger, as the first state governor over Button Gwinnett. It also adopted a new state seal. Although the constitution of 1777 was changed in 1789, this first endeavor in providing for state's rights was an important step in Georgia's development.
-Positives are a stretch, but at least it was a start.
-Unicameral Legislature with virtually all power.
-Appointed the governor and judges to the judicial branch. In effect, it controlled all three branches.
-Governors powers were extremely limited.
-Executive council was too powerful
-First State Constitution to spell out separation of powers between the three branches
AKS 35c
Constitutional Convention of 1787
Constitutional Convention of 1787
The Constitutional Convention of 1787 established a new government system for America. The Articles of Confederation had proven to be too weak, so change was needed. The government created had three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The executive branch included a president, a vice president, and executive departments. The judicial branch provided for a system of courts to protect the rights of citizens. But it was the legislative branch that caused the most upheaval at the convention. After months of arguing, the delegates determined that the legislative branch would have two houses: a Senate, with two delegates from each state, and a House of Representatives, with membership based on each state's population. With all of the slaves, the South had a larger population and would therefore have more representatives in the House. Delegates from the northern states did not want to count the slave population at all. Finally, the delegates compromised and decided that only three-fifths of the slave population would count toward representation. The delegates also provided for a method of amending, or making changes or additions to, the U.S. Constitution as times and circumstance dictated. The first ten amendments to the Constitution were added only a few years after the document was written. They are known as the Bill of Rights. The new constitution was ratified by 1788; Georgia was the fourth state to ratify it. The new government was in place the following year, and George Washington became the nation's first president.
AKS 35c
Georgia delegates to the Constitutional Convention
Georgia delegates to the Constitutional Convention
In the summer of 1787, fifty-five delegates, representing every state except Rhode Island, met at Independence Hall in Philadelphia to revise the Articles of Confederation. William Few (pictured below) and Abraham Baldwin (pictured to the left) were Georgia's representatives to the Constitutional Convention.
Abraham Baldwin arguably caused the Convention to reach a compromise by splitting the Georgia vote.
William Few was Georgia's second representative.
In 1785, the capital of Georgia moved from Savannah to Augusta. During 1788 and 1789, delegates met there to make changes in the state constitution. After those changes were made, the Georgia constitution was very much like the national one. To ensure the separation of powers, the state established three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. But power, although separated, was not equally balanced. The legislature, now called the General Assembly, was bicameral and included a senate and a house of representatives. Members were to be elected by popular vote. Legislators in the General Assembly selected the governor and other state officials, including the judges. More importantly, the legislators determined both how money was to be raised and how it was to be spent.
Abraham Baldwin arguably caused the Convention to reach a compromise by splitting the Georgia vote.
William Few was Georgia's second representative.
In 1785, the capital of Georgia moved from Savannah to Augusta. During 1788 and 1789, delegates met there to make changes in the state constitution. After those changes were made, the Georgia constitution was very much like the national one. To ensure the separation of powers, the state established three branches of government: legislative, executive, and judicial. But power, although separated, was not equally balanced. The legislature, now called the General Assembly, was bicameral and included a senate and a house of representatives. Members were to be elected by popular vote. Legislators in the General Assembly selected the governor and other state officials, including the judges. More importantly, the legislators determined both how money was to be raised and how it was to be spent.
AKS 35d
Why did Georgia ratify the U.S. Constitution?
Why did Georgia ratify the U.S. Constitution?
1. Ruined Economy
2. Needed help/protection from strong central government
3. Fears of Native American uprisings (security)
4. Future promise of Bill of Rights
5. At this point they were committed to the success of the
nation
Years of hardship and change followed the Revolutionary War. The war showed that the state government was poorly equipped to deal with many of its problems. The war ruined the state's economy and divided its people. Many of Georgia's men had left their farms to fight; because of this, food was limited. The new state government had to ensure that families in need received such basic items as flour and corn meal until they could plant and harvest their own crops. The state also had to honor its commitments to those who had serves in the war by making good on its promise to provide them with land. Georgia was the 4th colony to ratify the Constitution.
AKS 44a
Describe the structure of the Georgia State Constitution
The Georgia Constitution was last rewritten in 1983.
It includes:
1. A preamble that says why the Constitution was written.
2. A Bill of Rights
3. Articles that set up the three branches of government.
4. A process for amending the Constitution.
Our state Constitution is longer than the U.S. Constitution. It has a more extensive list of rights protected from government interference; specifically spells out important principles such as separation of powers and judicial review; it sets forth qualifications for voting and running of office; specifically creates various officials in the executive branch (such as secretary of state and attorney general); details matters such as taxes, spending, public schools, colleges, and local government.
Describe the structure of the Georgia State Constitution
The Georgia Constitution was last rewritten in 1983.
It includes:
1. A preamble that says why the Constitution was written.
2. A Bill of Rights
3. Articles that set up the three branches of government.
4. A process for amending the Constitution.
Our state Constitution is longer than the U.S. Constitution. It has a more extensive list of rights protected from government interference; specifically spells out important principles such as separation of powers and judicial review; it sets forth qualifications for voting and running of office; specifically creates various officials in the executive branch (such as secretary of state and attorney general); details matters such as taxes, spending, public schools, colleges, and local government.
AKS 44b
Compare and contrast Check and Balances and Separation of powers.
State Checks and Balances:
The Executive Branch can veto bills passed by the Legislative Branch and can call special sessions of the legislature. It also has some appointment powers when officers of the court resign or die.
The Legislative Branch can impeach officials in the Executive or Judicial Branch.
It can override a governor's veto of bills to make them into laws.
It must also confirm appointments made by the governor.
It can also propose constitutional changes.
The Judicial Branch determines whether or not laws are constitutional.
Compare and contrast Check and Balances and Separation of powers.
State Checks and Balances:
The Executive Branch can veto bills passed by the Legislative Branch and can call special sessions of the legislature. It also has some appointment powers when officers of the court resign or die.
The Legislative Branch can impeach officials in the Executive or Judicial Branch.
It can override a governor's veto of bills to make them into laws.
It must also confirm appointments made by the governor.
It can also propose constitutional changes.
The Judicial Branch determines whether or not laws are constitutional.
AKS 44c
Identify and differentiate Citizens Rights and Responsibilities.
U.S. citizen: You are entitled to all the protections and rights afforded by the federal and state Constitutions.
Responsibilities:
1. Participation in government by running for office if you choose, but by voting for candidates for office even if you elect not to serve yourself.
2. Upholding the laws of the nation.
3. Defending the nation against its enemies.
4. Participate in juries if called upon.
5. Draft (military service if required during a time of war)
Other ways of being involved: Participating in the local, state, and even national levels of government by serving on library boards, zoning commissions, and volunteer in civic organizations.
Identify and differentiate Citizens Rights and Responsibilities.
U.S. citizen: You are entitled to all the protections and rights afforded by the federal and state Constitutions.
Responsibilities:
1. Participation in government by running for office if you choose, but by voting for candidates for office even if you elect not to serve yourself.
2. Upholding the laws of the nation.
3. Defending the nation against its enemies.
4. Participate in juries if called upon.
5. Draft (military service if required during a time of war)
Other ways of being involved: Participating in the local, state, and even national levels of government by serving on library boards, zoning commissions, and volunteer in civic organizations.
AKS 44d
Identify Georgia Voting Requirements
To vote in Georgia you must be:
1. 18 years old
2. A U.S. citizen
3. A legal resident of GA and the county in which you are registered.
Identify Georgia Voting Requirements
To vote in Georgia you must be:
1. 18 years old
2. A U.S. citizen
3. A legal resident of GA and the county in which you are registered.
AKS 44e
Defend the roles of political parties in government
Political parties are organized groups of people who share common ideals and who seek to influence government policies and decisions by electing members of their party to government offices. Today, America has two major political parties-the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Members of these groups share common beliefs about the government's role in American life and the policies that government should support.
Defend the roles of political parties in government
Political parties are organized groups of people who share common ideals and who seek to influence government policies and decisions by electing members of their party to government offices. Today, America has two major political parties-the Republican Party and the Democratic Party. Members of these groups share common beliefs about the government's role in American life and the policies that government should support.