Essential Question What were the strengths and weaknesses

Essential Question: What were the strengths and weaknesses of the Georgia Constitution of 1777? (H 4 a)

Activating Strategy List some of the grievances (complaints) that colonists had against England during the Revolutionary period. How do you think these grievances influenced Georgia’s first constitution?

Read and discuss the preamble to The Constitution of the State of Georgia. What main theme stands out? (Hint: read the last paragraph)

Georgia Constitution of 1777 Primary Document Task

Distributed Summarizing The Georgia Constitution of 1777 lasted until 1789. Based on your examination of the document, why do you think the constitution changed so quickly? Make suggestions for the strengths and weaknesses on your graphic organizer.

Georgia Constitution of 1777: Summary • Defined a separate executive (Governor), legislative (Georgia Assembly), and judicial (state courts) branch of government • Most power was given to the unicameral (one-house) legislature • Legislature elected the governor, his 12 -man executive council and other state officials

Georgia Constitution of 1777: Summary • Executive council could accept or reject any proposals from the Governor • Governor served a one-year term • Basic rights of freedom of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury • Divided Georgia into eight

Georgia Constitution of 1777 Strengths • Separation of government branches • Protection of basic rights

Georgia Constitution of 1777 Weaknesses • Too much power in the hands of the legislature by allowing it to elect the Governor, his council, and all state officials • There was only one house so there were no checks on its power • One year term limited the Governor’s effectiveness • The constitution was not ratified by a vote of the people so it did not fully represent their interests

Summarizing Strategy Georgia Constitution of 1777 Copy & Continue Writing to Win Strategy