SS8H4

1. SS8H4 TSW describe the impact of events that led top the ratification of the U.S. Constitution and the Bill of Rights. b) Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; role of Abraham Baldwin, William Few, reasons why Georgia ratified the new constitution.

2. Role of Georgia at the Constitutional ConventionIn the summer of 1787, the Georgia Assembly appointed William Pierce, William Few, Abraham Baldwin, and William Houstoun as its delegates to the Constitutional Convention to be held in Philadelphia.

3. Only William Few and Abraham Baldwin stayed until the end of the convention and signed the new U.S. Constitution.

4. There were many debates and disagreements during the convention. Perhaps the most difficult was over representation in the national legislature.

5. The larger states wanted representation based on population; the smaller states wanted equal representation.

6. William Houstoun voted for the large state position. Abraham Baldwin’s vote for the small state position forced the convention to work on a compromise position.

7. Baldwin served on the committee to work out that compromise which has since become known as the “Great Compromise.”

8. Reasons Why Georgia Ratified the New ConstitutionGeorgia supported the new U.S. Constitution. As more and more people moved into the state, they began to push westward into the land occupied by Indians.

9. The Indians were determined to hold onto their lands.

10. As the youngest state, Georgia needed a strong national govern-ment to help protect it from the Indian threat and to acquire lands from the Indians in order to expand.

11. A special convention was called to consider ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Delegates began gathering in December 1787.

12. On January 2, 1788, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution by a vote of 26 to 0.