Concepts: Governance Rule of Law

SS8H4aAnalyze 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.

Concepts:GovernanceRule of Law

GEORGIA STATEHOOD and the U.S. CONSTITUTION

ESSENTIAL QUESTIONWhat were the strengths and weaknesses of the Georgia Constitution of 1777?

The student will understand that distribution of power in government is a product of existing documents and laws combined with contemporary values and beliefs.

How would you describe the distribution of power at Moses Middle School? Which branch of government is responsible for making laws? Why did the writers of the Georgia Constitution of 1777 want to limit the power of the Executive branch (Governor)?

Distribution of Power

GEORGIA CONSTITUTION OF 1777STRENGTHSSeparation of Powers8 Counties (local government) each county had its own government, court, school, and militiaCitizens were guaranteed freedom of religion, press, and trial by jury WEAKNESSESUni-cameral legislature (one house) had too much power appoint (choose) the Governor and judgesGovernor served only a 1 year termOnly white men 21 and over with property could voteAmending (changing) the constitution was difficult

GAConstitutionof 1777EXECUTIVELEGISLATIVEJUDICIARYGOVERNORAppointed by executive council1 year termVery little power Appointed by legislaturePower to appoint Governor and judgesHave most of the powerUni-cameral (1 house) called the House of AssemblyLEGISLATORS(lawmakers)STATE JUDGES

Primary Source DocumentGEORGIA CONSTITUTION OF 1777Article IX. All male white inhabitants, of the age of twenty-one years, and possessed in his own right of ten pounds value, and liable to pay tax in this State, or being of any mechanic trade, and shall have been resident six months in this State, shall have a right to vote at all elections for representatives, or any other officers...

SS8H4aAnalyze 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.

Concepts:GovernanceRule of Law


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONWhat were the strengths and weaknesses of the Articles of Confederation?

ARTICLES OF CONFEDERATIONSTRENGTHS1st constitutionCentral governmentFederalism power divided between central (national) govt and individual state govtCongress could:Declare warSign treatiesDeliver mailCreate moneyWEAKNESSESWeak national govtState govt too strongUni-cameral legislature (Congress)States only had 1 representative and 1 vote in CongressNo executive branch or presidentNo national court systemCould not tax the states to raise moneyCould not regulate (control) tradeCould not enforce lawsEach state had its own currency and militiaToo difficult to amend (change) the Articles

ProblemsStates with large populations felt they were inadequately represented in Congress.States ignored requests. Thus, Congress never had enough money to run the government.There was no president to enforce the laws passed by Congress, and there were no federal courts to settle disputes between states.It was difficult to obtain passage of legislation and almost impossible to amend the Articles.States taxed each others products, they fought over navigation rights and set up their own systems of tariffs on imports. Foreign nations refused to negotiate agreements with the US because Congress was unable to enforce them.A large amount of paper money was issued by both Congress and the individual states. Currency lost value.

The student will understand that when there is conflict between or within societies, change is the result.

Do all conflicts have to involve violence and war? How did the Articles of Confederation create a conflict?What changes were needed?

CONFLICT & CHANGE

SS8H4bDescribe 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.

Concepts:Individuals Groups InstitutionsGovernanceConflict and ChangeRule of Law


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONWhat role did Georgias Abraham Baldwin and William Few play in the Constitutional Convention of 1787?


What does it mean to compromise? Give some examples from your own experiences. Why did states argue about the US Constitution, and what changed as a result?

CONFLICT & CHANGE

Constitutional Convention of 1787Why did our Founding Fathers need to revise the Articles of Confederation?To create a stronger Federal (national / central) government that would UNITE the young country together.What happened to the Articles of Confederation?The Founding Fathers wrote a new constitution

ABRAHAM BALDWINWILLIAM FEWBOTH MEN WERE REPRESENTATIVES FROM GEORGIA WHO HELPED CREATE AND SIGN THE UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION.

ABRAHAM BALDWIN PLAYED A BIG ROLE IN THE GREAT COMPROMISE THAT HELPED CREATE A BI-CAMERAL LEGISLATURE

WILLIAM FEW HELPED WRITE THE CONSTITUTION

CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION of 1787

Constitutional Convention of 1787CAUSEEFFECTARTICLES OFCONFEDERATIONTHE U.S. CONSTITUTION State governments had too much power

National government could not levy taxes, enforce laws, or control trade

No executive branch (President)

No judicial branch (no federal courts to settle disputes between the states) Federal government becomes more powerful Separation of Powers - Legislative branchmakes laws - Executive branchenforce laws - Judicial branchinterpret laws

Bi-cameral legislature House of Representatives based on state population Senate 2 representatives from each state Great Compromise: Bi-cameral legislature benefits both big and small states (population) 3/5ths Compromise:3 out of 5 slaves counted toward population and were also taxed

Bill of Rights: 1st ten amendments to the Constitution guaranteeing rights for citizens

2 REPRESENTATIIVES FROM EACH STATEREPRESENTATIVES FROM EACH STATE BASED ON POPULATIONBI-CAMERAL


What does it mean to compromise? Give some examples from your own experiences. Why did states argue about the US Constitution, and what changed as a result?

CONFLICT & CHANGE


ESSENTIAL QUESTIONWhy did Georgia ratify the new U.S. Constitution?

RATIFYING THE US CONSTITUTIONWhy did Georgia ratify the new U.S. Constitution?Wanted federal govt to have power to unite the countryNeeded federal govt to help fight Native Americans in order for Georgians to move westward onto new lands4th state to ratify on January 2nd, 1788

The student will understand that in a democracy, rule of law influences the behavior of citizens, establishes procedures for making policies, and limits the power of government.

What are some rules in each of your classes? What are some rules in sports or games that we play?

What part of the U.S. Constitution limits the power of government?

RULE of LAW

The student will understand that distribution of power in government is a product of existing documents and laws combined with contemporary values and beliefs.

What are some documents that distribute power? Which branch of government is responsible for making laws? What was wrong with the Articles of Confederation that influenced the states to create a new U.S. Constitution?

Distribution of Power

The student will understand that as a society increases in complexity and interacts with other societies, the complexity of government also increases.

Think back to elementary school. How are the rules more complex in middle school? Do you think theyll be more complex in highschool?

The 13 states each had their own society and government. What are some examples of states interacting together, which then made the national government more complex?

GOVERNANCE

SOURCESwww.Glencoe.comhttp://www.fresno.k12.ca.us/divdept/sscience/constitutionResouces.htmlhttp://www.usconsulate.org.hk/pas/kids/images/branches.jpgwww.milan.k12.mi.us/.../image001.jpghttp://teachingamericanhistory.org/convention/christy/

Concepts: Governance Rule of Law

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