Articles of Confederation

1. GA Studies 128, 131, 404-405 GA and Am Exp. 157, 174-175 Articles of Confederation • What was this document? __1st constitution of the United States- framework for government_________ • Where and when was it ratified? __Jan. 1781 in Virginia – GA signed in 1778________________________ • Who signed it? __representatives from the 13 colonies. ________________________________________ • What was the purpose of the document? _provide a framework for government that would unite the 13 colonies. ______________________________________________________________________________ • Did it serve its purpose? _no_____Why or why not? __many faults in new government – people were not represented equally, different currencies, trade restrictions Yes - goal was to form a weak central government and that is what they got. _____________________________________________________________________________________ Strengths Weaknesses • Provided initial framework for a government of the 13 colonies. • First written constitution • Had a legislative branch • Strong state governments • Every state had a vote. • Unicameral legislature – congress • Each state had one vote – population not considered • No chief executive • No national court system • Could not collect taxes • No bill of rights • Each state had own currency • Did not have power to regulate trade with other states or foreign counties. • No defense – military to defend • No money (taxes) to build infrastructure- roads, bridges, ports.

2. GA and the Experience Pg 502-509 GA Studies Book pgs 129-132, 404-411 United States Constitution Directions: Use your book and the PowerPoint to fill in this sheet. • Why did the men meet in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787? _Revise AOC - address problems and solutions____________ • What did the end up doing instead? ___Writing a new document (US Constitution)__________________________________ • What was this meeting later called? ___Constitutional Convention _______________________________________________ • Who is considered to be the ‘father of the constitution’? _James Madison___________________________________________ • Name some of our founding fathers. _James Madison, William Patterson, Ben Franklin _______________________________ • List some of the characteristics these men shared. _well educated, wealthy landowners, young, conservative- values • Who signed it from Georgia __Baldwin and Few_ When did Georgia sign the document? __Dec.7, 1787_______________ • What was the 3/5 Compromise? 3/5 of all slaves counted could be used as population number for representation. Example : Georgia 29,000 slaves, could only count 17,700_______________________________________________________________ • What was the Great Compromise? _2 plans – Virginia and New Jersey Plans combined. Outcome– Bicameral congress with a House of Representatives – based on proportional representation – population and a Senate – equal representation – 2 votes. • Define: Ratify __approve____Define: Compromise __work together to find solution - give and take____________________ • Define: Amend _change_____Define: Rebublic _all powers of the government given to the people. _____________________ • What was the name given to the people who opposed the document and why? Anti federalists -central govt.too much power • What was the name given to those who liked the document and why? Federalist – supported strong central government___ • Why did Georgia ratify the document? needed military protection from natives /Spanish, Bill of rights, Limited Govt. • What was necessary to add to the document in order for all original states to ratify the document? Bill of Rights __________ • Why was it necessary for that to be included? _States wanted protection from a strong central government______________ Executive Office of President Use the boxes and the arrows to illustrate checks and balances: Abraham Baldwin _attended constitutional convention – Helped to resolve the large state-small state crisis. Signer of the US Constitution________________________ _______________________________________________ William Few _Politician in Georgia – Provincial Congress Ga. Assembly and Constitutional Congress____________ Signer of the US Constitution_______________________ _______________________________________________ Legislative Congress and House of Rep. Judicial Supreme Court

3. GA and the Am Experience 155-156 GA Studies 120, 128 Georgia Constitution of 1777 Directions: For all of these notes/graphic organizers, use your book and the book in the classroom as well as information from the class to fill in/answer. Pages given the upper corners are a guide for you. • Why was this document needed in Georgia in 1777? _Georgia needed guidelines to follow (rules) to keep order and progress. _______________________________________________ • What did the GA Constitution replace? _Rules and Regulations – a temporary constitution_ • What did the Whigs (Patriots) want for Georgia’s government? _extreme group that wanted to give all the people of Georgia a chance to govern themselves. _______________________ • Why did they want this for Georgia? _King was too restrictive – citizens had no rights_____ • Where did lawmakers meet and when? _May 1777 in Savannah_______________________ • What did the document create? _parish system ended – 8 counties___________________ • Explain how the following worked under the GA Constitution of 1777. • Unicameral Legislature (executive council)__single legislative body wit h broad powers, including the ability to make appointments for the judicial branch (courts) and the executive branch – the governor. Total of 12 lawmakers. _______________________________________________________________________________________________ • Governor _____1 year term – selected by the legislature rather than voted by the people. ______________________ • Court System __run by the 12 members of the executive council__________________________________________ • Which branch of government had the most power under this document? Unicameral Legislature • Explain the reason for number 8. Twelve lawmakers in Legislature were able to pass laws, make appointment to judiciary and the executive branch – select governor. _____________ • How long did this government in Georgia last? _approximately 12 years until 1789________ • Was it a successful document? No_____ Why or why not? Small group of 12 maintained too much power. _ ___________________________________________________________________________

4. 1776 Revolution to a New Nation: Timeline of Events Name _________________________________ 1777 1778 1779 1781 1783 1785 1787 1788 1789 1791 Using your book and your notes, fill in the events that occurred on these years. Keep in mind more than one event may have occurred in each year. Please create 4 illustrations to accompany your timeline.