Compare and Contrast

1. Compare and Contrast Articles of Confederation vs. Constitution

2. Articles of Confederation • Ratified in 1781 • Created a union of sovereign states (each had its own authority to govern) • Common goal of remaining independent of foreign control • Wished to collect taxes from its citizens • Engage in commerce • Power to make laws

3. AoC Drawbacks • No provision for the new federal government to exercise any power over the individual states • Federal government cannot collect taxes • Federal government cannot impose laws on states • Federal government cannot organize a national army

4. The Constitution Improvement over AoC • Fulfilled the need for a centralized defense for the new nation • Installed a chief executive of the armed forces, known as the president • Ensured liberties in the Declaration of Independence would be intact for all Americans

5. In conclusion… • The U.S. Constitution gave the young nation a higher level of strength, credibility, and unity

6. Georgia’s Constitution • Informal constitution was a document called Rules and Regulations of the Colony of Georgia • 1777 Georgia Constitution helped transition to a state • Separation of powers but legislature had the most power • Freedom of religion, the press, trial by jury

7. Georgia Constitution Cont. • Voting rights: only white men over 21 who could afford to pay taxes • Only Protestant men could be legislators • Georgia Constitution revised in 1789 to conform to U.S. Constitution • Other Georgia Constitution revisions: 1798, 1861 (after joining the Confederacy), 1868, 1877, 1945, 1976