SS8H4DESCRIBE THE IMPACT OF EVENTS THAT LED TO THE RATIFICATION OF THE US CONSTITUTION & THE BILL OF RIGHTS

SS8H4a

Articles of Confederation: America’s 1st written constitution

1776-1789

Provided Americans with an extremely weak central government

Based on American experience with British monarchy

Goal was to give as much power to the people through autonomy of the states

Too many limitations which hindered smooth functioning

National government could:

Declare war, coin money, establish post offices, send & recall ambassadors

National government could not:

Impose taxes to fund government

Regulate trade between states, but states could tax each other

Weaknesses:

Strong legislature, but no executive or judicial branches

Each state had its own currency

All 13 colonies had to approve a low for it to pass

1 vote per state regardless of size

Analyze the strengths & weaknesses of both the GA constitution of 1777 & the Articles

of Confederation & explain how weaknesses in the Articles led to its revision

GA Constitution of 1777

Similar to the Articles of Confederation

Based on idealistic principles of the Declaration of Independence

Was not a constitution capable of meeting the needs of governing a state

Did have 3 branches of government, but most of the power was held by the unicameral legislative branch

Legislature could appoint members to the judicial and executive branches, including the state governor

Governor had little power & limited to only 1 yearly term

Offered many freedoms (freedom of press, religion and trial by jury)

Georgians could not ratify (make something valid) it

Remained state constitution for 12 years

Constitution of 1789 changed the model of the US Constitution

SS8H4b:

Founders realized the Articles of Confederation was too weak to effectively govern the country (1787) Continual threats from European powers & Native American tribes

States were fighting about land & sea rights

Could not maintain an Army & Navy, build roads and canals because funds could not be raised

Was too difficult to pass laws because not all of the 13 states agreed on legislation

No separation of powers (no judicial or executive branches)

Important leaders (George Washington, Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, Ben Franklin) knew change had to happen

Representatives from all 13 states met in 1787 to discard or the Articles of Confederation & write a new constitution or rewrite the articles

Left the convention having written the current US Constitution

Three-fifths Compromise: allowed slaves to count towards a states population, counting them as 3/5 of a person

Great Compromise: created a bicameral legislature where each state had 2 members in the Senate, but representation in the House of Representatives was based on a states population

Describe the role of GA at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, include Abraham Baldwin & William Few & reasons why GA

ratified the new constitution

Bill of Rights

1st 10 Amendments of US Constitution

Written by James Madison in response to states desires for greater constitutional protection

Accepted in 1791

Amendment 1: Freedom of religion, press, speech, assembly, petition

Amendment 2: Right to bear arms

Amendment 3: Freedom from quartering soldiers

Amendment 4: Freedom from unreasonable search & seizure

Amendment 5: Due process of the law

Amendment 6: Right to a speedy & fair trial

Amendment 7: Trial by jury

Amendment 8: No excessive fines, no cruel & unusual punishment

Amendment 9: All people have rights not defined within Constitution

Amendment 10: Powers not held by federal government are held by the states

GAs role at the Constitutional Convention

2 important roles:

Helped pass the 3/5 Compromise because of southern states united stance on slavery

Contributed to the great divide between the North & South (eventually led to war)

Abraham Baldwin: given credit for changing his vote on Congressional representation, which allowed the Great Compromise

Abraham Baldwin

Born in Connecticut

Graduate of Theology from Yale

Chaplain in the US Army during the American Revolution

Became a lawyer after the war

Moved to GA in 1784 where he became a successful politician

1 of 4 Georgians sent to the Constitutional Convention & 1 of 2 that signed the new constitution

Served 5 years in Congress & 2 terms in the Senate

Died in 1807

Played a role in the creation of the University of Georgia where he served as the university’s 1st president

Many UGA buildings are modeled after buildings found at Yale

William Few

Soldier (American Revolution)

Signer of US Constitution

Judge

Legislator for 2 states

Born in North Carolina

Moved to GA in mid-1770s

Appointed as a GA representative at the Constitutional Convention

GA State Senator, representative & judge

Moved to New York in 1799 where he became a member of the NY legislature for 4 years

Bank president