Eighth Grade Georgia Studies



State Constitution & PowersA constitution establishes the relationship between a government and its people. Some constitutions are unwritten traditions, while others are written documents. The ideas, or philosophy, behind a constitution may be written in a preamble. A preamble is an introduction. Georgia’s Constitution, like the United States Constitution, has a preamble that states the purpose of the government and the Constitution. A constitution may also list the peoples’ rights, and limit the government’s power. A section where individual rights and government limits are written is often called a bill of rights. The United States Constitution and the Georgia Constitution both have a Bill of Rights. Constitutions may also establish the structure of government, and rules for running the government.Separation of PowerLike the government of the United States, Georgia’s government is divided into three different parts, or branches. The legislative branch makes the rules, or laws, that people must obey. The executive branch is the head, or leader, of the government. The executive branch also enforces the laws. If someone has been accused of breaking the law, the judicial branch also acts a go-between in cases of disagreement. Giving different branches of government different roles is called separation of powers. Separation of powers makes sure that the government does not become too powerful.Checks and BalancesThe three branches of government also puts limits, or checks, on each other. If one branch makes an error, another branch, it is hoped, will set it right, or balance it. For example, a law passed by the legislative branch can be turned down, or vetoed, by the executive branch. The members of the legislative branch can then try to keep the law alive by overriding the veto with a vote. In addition, the judicial branch may decide that law goes against the state constitution. It will rule that the law should be changed.This system of limiting the roles of each branch, and setting right another branch’s error, is called checks and balances. Checks and balances, and separation of powers, help to secure people’s freedom.Basic Structure of the Georgia State ConstitutionPreamble:A short paragraph that gives reasons for the Constitution.Article I: Bill of RightsThe first section lists individual rights. The second section mentions the separation of powers as well as the separation of church and state. The third section touches on property rights.Article II: Voting & ElectionsMade of three sections concerned with voting and elections – the first section says elections must be by secret ballot and law-abiding. This section also tells who is allowed to vote in Georgia. The second section mentions steps to take in case of a run-off election. The third section lists steps to take if a public official is found guilty of a serious crime.Article III: Legislative BranchMade up of ten sections – It outlines the structure and function of the two houses that make up Georgia’s General Assembly. This article also explains how bills are passed into laws.Article IV: Constitutional Boards & CommissionsProvides for the following: a Public Service Commission that oversees utilities such as electricity and water; a State Board of Pardons and Paroles that deals with people in Georgia’s prisons; a State Personnel Board that ensures the rights of people who work for the state of Georgia; a State Transportation Board; a Veterans Service Board; and a Board of Natural ResourcesArticle V: Executive BranchSets out the qualifications and terms of office for both governor and lieutenant governor – this article also explains the duties and powers of the governor. In addition, another section lists other elected positions in Georgia’s executive branch of government.Article VI: Judicial BranchOutlines Georgia’s unified court system; gives the purposes and limits of each of Georgia’s seven types of courts: magistrate courts, probate courts, juvenile courts, state courts, superior courts, Court of Appeals, and Supreme Court.Article VII: Taxation & FinanceLists reasons why the state of Georgia may tax its citizens - - the article also explains the methods and limits of taxationArticle VIII: EducationExplains how Georgia’s public school system is paid for by taxes – this article also outlines the structure of the school system at the state and local levels.Article IX: Counties & Municipal CorporationsOutlines the roles and functions of county and city governmentsArticle X: Amendments to the ConstitutionExplain how changes, or amendments, to the Constitution can be madeArticle XI: Miscellaneous ProvisionsThese provisions deal mostly with historical and legal continuity – that is, how Georgia’s different constitutions have been changed over the years.Reading Comprehension Check:The first article of Georgia’s Constitution is the Bill of Rights. Section II, Paragraph III of the Bill of Rights says, “The legislative, judicial, and executive powers shall forever remain separate and distinct; an no person discharging the duties of one shall at the same time exercise the functions of either of the others, except as herein provided.”In the space below, explain why the writers of Georgia’s Constitution wrote this paragraph.2126570795Define the following terms based on the information presented in your reading:In my own words, I would define this word as…ConstitutionSeparation of powersChecks and balancesA person wanting to know about school funding in Georgia would look at which two articles of the state constitution?Hint: One way that schools get funding is through taxes. One of the articles directly addresses Georgia’s education system.Article III of Georgia’s Constitution says, “All bills for raising revenue, or appropriating money, shall originate in the House of Representatives.” This statement expresses the idea of _______________.Hint: The statement says that one branch has the power to do a particular action.The term “checks and balance” describes the relationship between _________________________________.In which part of the Georgia Constitution would the statement in the box below MOST LIKELY be found?“To perpetuate the principles of free government… we the people of Georgia, relying upon the protection and guidance of Almighty God, do ordain and establish this Constitution.” ................
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