Government and the Government and the ConstitutionConstitution

By Mrs. FarrBy Mrs. Farr

GPS StandardsGPS Standards

SS8H4 The student will describe the impact of SS8H4 The student will describe the impact of events that led to the ratification of the United events that led to the ratification of the United States Constitution and the Bill of Rights. States Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

a. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the a. Analyze the strengths and weaknesses of both the Georgia Constitution of 1777 and the Articles of Georgia Constitution of 1777 and the Articles of Confederation and explain how weaknesses in the Confederation and explain how weaknesses in the Articles of Confederation led to a need to revise the Articles of Confederation led to a need to revise the Articles. Articles.

b. Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional b. Describe the role of Georgia at the Constitutional Convention of 1787; include the role of Abraham Convention of 1787; include the role of Abraham Baldwin and William Few, and reasons why Georgia Baldwin and William Few, and reasons why Georgia ratified the new constitution. ratified the new constitution.

The Articles of ConfederationThe Articles of Confederation

The Articles of Confederation was the The Articles of Confederation was the first constitution of the United States.first constitution of the United States.

It was created during the American It was created during the American Revolution to help bring stability to Revolution to help bring stability to the 13 colonies (states).the 13 colonies (states).

The Articles = WeakThe Articles = Weak

The Articles of The Articles of Confederation, Confederation, however, was however, was very weak!very weak!

It had several It had several problems that problems that surfaced after surfaced after the war.the war.

The AoCThe AoC

The AoC did not establish a The AoC did not establish a president, and it only had a president, and it only had a unicameral (one house) Congress.unicameral (one house) Congress.

In the legislature, each state only In the legislature, each state only received one vote.received one vote.

This was unfair for states that held This was unfair for states that held larger populations than smaller larger populations than smaller states.states.

$$$$$$$$$$

Each state was governing Each state was governing itselfitself!! It was establishing its own money, It was establishing its own money,

taxes and tariffs. taxes and tariffs. Each state was working like 13 little Each state was working like 13 little

mini-nations as opposed to one big mini-nations as opposed to one big nation with 13 states.nation with 13 states.

The Articles limited the power of The Articles limited the power of national government.national government.

Articles of ConfederationArticles of ConfederationWeaknessesWeaknesses

No presidentNo president No court systemNo court system States have more or equal States have more or equal

power to a nationpower to a nation Could not pay soldiersCould not pay soldiers Each state was making its Each state was making its

own moneyown money Each state had different Each state had different

taxes/tarriffs taxes/tarriffs There was no There was no

representation in Congress representation in Congress based on populationbased on population

StrengthsStrengths Each state Each state

represented represented equallyequally

Creation of a postal Creation of a postal serviceservice

Congress had the Congress had the power to wage warpower to wage war

Because the strengths outnumbered Because the strengths outnumbered the weaknesses, the government would the weaknesses, the government would

have to change...have to change...

But the leaders of our government But the leaders of our government did not want to alarm the public of did not want to alarm the public of the government’s change.the government’s change.

They planned for a meeting in They planned for a meeting in Annapolis, Maryland and then Annapolis, Maryland and then planned for another meeting in May planned for another meeting in May of 1787 in Philadelphia.of 1787 in Philadelphia.

George Washington presided over George Washington presided over the meeting.the meeting.

GeorgiaGeorgia Georgia attended the Constitutional Georgia attended the Constitutional

Convention of 1787, too. It sent two Convention of 1787, too. It sent two delegates (or representatives), delegates (or representatives), Abraham Baldwin and William Few, Abraham Baldwin and William Few, to attend the meeting.to attend the meeting.

Abraham Baldwin William Few

There were two plans discussed There were two plans discussed at the convention...at the convention...

The Virginia Plan is the first plan we The Virginia Plan is the first plan we will talk about.will talk about.

This plan is similar to the This plan is similar to the Constitution we have today. It broke Constitution we have today. It broke the government into three branches.the government into three branches.

However, representation in the However, representation in the Senate and the House were based on Senate and the House were based on population.population.

The other planThe other plan

Was the New Jersey plan. This plan Was the New Jersey plan. This plan had more of a state-based had more of a state-based sentiment.sentiment.

It had a one house (unicameral) It had a one house (unicameral) legislature and said that Congress legislature and said that Congress could levy (impose, enforce) taxes.could levy (impose, enforce) taxes.

The Congress was based on state The Congress was based on state representation.representation.

The debateThe debate

...raged on and on.......raged on and on.... Should the US use the Virginia Plan Should the US use the Virginia Plan

or the New Jersey Plan? The Virginia or the New Jersey Plan? The Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan? The Plan or the New Jersey Plan? The Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan?Virginia Plan or the New Jersey Plan?

Finally, the delegates did what all Finally, the delegates did what all great politicians do...great politicians do...

They compromised!They compromised!

The Great CompromiseThe Great Compromise

Made the Senate (upper portion of Made the Senate (upper portion of Congress) based on state Congress) based on state representation and the House (lower representation and the House (lower portion of Congress) based on portion of Congress) based on population.population.

There was also the 3/5ths There was also the 3/5ths compromise, that made 3/5ths of the compromise, that made 3/5ths of the African-American population count African-American population count toward representation.toward representation.

Finally,Finally,

The framework of the Constitution The framework of the Constitution was in place. was in place.

Let’s talk a little about the our Let’s talk a little about the our government and Constitution, shall government and Constitution, shall we?we?

3 Branches of Government3 Branches of Government

We have three branches of We have three branches of government: the Executive, the government: the Executive, the Legislative and the Judicial branches.Legislative and the Judicial branches.

These branches are all balanced, so These branches are all balanced, so one branch doesn’t take over the one branch doesn’t take over the other.other.

This is called Checks and Balances.This is called Checks and Balances.

The Executive BranchThe Executive Branch This branch has the President, the This branch has the President, the

Vice President, and the CabinetVice President, and the Cabinet The President is the Commander-in-The President is the Commander-in-

Chief of all armed forces.Chief of all armed forces. The President also approves law and The President also approves law and

makes treaties.makes treaties.

Georgia’s Executive BranchGeorgia’s Executive Branch

Georgia’s executive branch contains Georgia’s executive branch contains the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and other executive agencies.and other executive agencies.

The Legislative BranchThe Legislative Branch

This branch contains Congress. This branch contains Congress. Congress is divided into two Congress is divided into two sessions: the House and the Senate.sessions: the House and the Senate.

The House is based on population. The House is based on population. This group of representatives This group of representatives contains over 400 members. contains over 400 members.

The Senate is based on state The Senate is based on state representation. There are 100 members representation. There are 100 members in the Senate, two for each state. in the Senate, two for each state. (Remember the Great Compromise? This (Remember the Great Compromise? This is how both states and population are is how both states and population are represented in Congress!)represented in Congress!)

The job of Congress is to make laws for The job of Congress is to make laws for the nation. The House creates bills (or, the nation. The House creates bills (or, proposals to create a new law), and must proposals to create a new law), and must pass them on to the Senate. If the bill pass them on to the Senate. If the bill passes, it goes to the President. If he passes, it goes to the President. If he signs it, it can become a new law.signs it, it can become a new law.

Georgia’s Legislative BranchGeorgia’s Legislative Branch

Georgia’s legislative branch is called Georgia’s legislative branch is called the Georgia General Assembly (or the Georgia General Assembly (or GGA by Mrs. Farr…GGA by Mrs. Farr…))

The GGA makes bills (or laws) for our The GGA makes bills (or laws) for our state.state.

The Judicial BranchThe Judicial Branch

The Judicial branch interprets the The Judicial branch interprets the law.law.

This branch contains the Supreme This branch contains the Supreme Court and other federal court Court and other federal court systems.systems.

These courts are the deciding factors These courts are the deciding factors as to what is legal or constitutional. as to what is legal or constitutional.

Georgia’s Judicial BranchGeorgia’s Judicial Branch

Georgia’s judicial branch consists of Georgia’s judicial branch consists of the Georgia Supreme Court, and the the Georgia Supreme Court, and the state court system.state court system.

Federal (National) GovernmentFederal (National) Government

State GovernmentState Government

Checks and BalancesChecks and Balances

Our government has a system to keep a Our government has a system to keep a branch from taking over the government. branch from taking over the government. This system is called checks and This system is called checks and balances (and no, I’m not talking about balances (and no, I’m not talking about the bank...)the bank...)

The President can veto any bill that The President can veto any bill that Congress approves.Congress approves.

Congress can impeach a President if he is Congress can impeach a President if he is committing an illegal or unconstitutional committing an illegal or unconstitutional act.act.

The Supreme Court can rule if a law The Supreme Court can rule if a law passed by the Congress is passed by the Congress is constitutional or not.constitutional or not.

Congress can impeach and appoint Congress can impeach and appoint judges in the Judicial branch.judges in the Judicial branch.

The President nominates people for The President nominates people for the Supreme Court.the Supreme Court.

Makes perfect sense, right?Makes perfect sense, right?

The ConstitutionThe Constitution

The Constitution forms our The Constitution forms our government. It has three sections: government. It has three sections: the Preamble, Articles and the Preamble, Articles and Amendments.Amendments.

The Preamble tells about why the The Preamble tells about why the Constitution was needed. It is Constitution was needed. It is basically an introduction to the basically an introduction to the Constitution.Constitution.

QUICK!QUICK!A piece of candy goes to who A piece of candy goes to who can tell me what the first three can tell me what the first three words of the Constitution are!words of the Constitution are!

Mmmm..... Candy.

Right!Right!

We the People! Good job!We the People! Good job!

The articles of the US The articles of the US ConstitutionConstitution

The articles basically talk about the The articles basically talk about the three branches and what powers three branches and what powers they have.they have.

They list the powers of Congress, the They list the powers of Congress, the age required to serve in public office, age required to serve in public office, and the basic rules and regulations and the basic rules and regulations for our country.for our country.

Georgia Georgia

Georgia liked the 3/5ths Georgia liked the 3/5ths Compromise, as well as the Great Compromise, as well as the Great Compromise. Because of this, it was Compromise. Because of this, it was the 4the 4thth state to ratify (or approve) the state to ratify (or approve) the new U.S. Constitution.new U.S. Constitution.

This is why you may hear Georgia This is why you may hear Georgia described as the “4described as the “4thth State.” State.”

However...However...

There were issues with the There were issues with the Constitution. Even today, there are Constitution. Even today, there are issues with the Constitution. issues with the Constitution.

A document that was written so long A document that was written so long ago needed to be updated (and still ago needed to be updated (and still needs to be updated from time to needs to be updated from time to time).time).

These updates are called These updates are called amendmentsamendments..

AmendmentsAmendments

Some of the amendments that you Some of the amendments that you may have heard of include the first may have heard of include the first amendment, which grants you amendment, which grants you freedom of speech, religion and of freedom of speech, religion and of the press.the press.

Women, an amendment that you Women, an amendment that you may have heard of is the 19th may have heard of is the 19th amendment, which gave women the amendment, which gave women the right to vote in 1920.right to vote in 1920.

There are Amendments...There are Amendments...

...covering everything from slavery to the ...covering everything from slavery to the way Congress should spend its money. way Congress should spend its money.

There is also an amendment (number 3) There is also an amendment (number 3) about the quartering of soldiers - civilians about the quartering of soldiers - civilians could no longer house soldiers - the days could no longer house soldiers - the days of the Quartering Act are looong gone!of the Quartering Act are looong gone!

Amendments cover issues that are not Amendments cover issues that are not covered in the Constitution.covered in the Constitution.

Some other amendments...Some other amendments...

5 - can’t testify against yourself - 5 - can’t testify against yourself - double jeopardydouble jeopardy

18 - prohibition18 - prohibition 24- poll taxes24- poll taxes 26- the right to vote at 18 (it used to 26- the right to vote at 18 (it used to

be 21).be 21).

The End.The End.