
Georgia's first permanent constitution was drafted in 1777, and it was updated in 1789 and 1798. The state has had 12 ruling documents, from the colonial charter issued in 1732 to the current state constitution, which was adopted in 1983.
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What You'll Learn
- Georgia's first constitution was drafted in 1777
- The constitution was executed without being submitted to voters for ratification
- It remained in effect for 12 years
- The constitution vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body
- It included basic rights such as freedom of the press and trial by jury

Georgia's first constitution was drafted in 1777
The 1777 constitution vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body and incorporated the separation of powers doctrine. It also included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
Georgia's first constitution was updated in 1789 and 1798. A new constitution was adopted at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, and again at the end of the war in 1865. Another new constitution was adopted during the Reconstruction in 1868 and at its end in 1877.
Over time, Georgia has used three different methods of constitutional revision: seven were revised by constitutional conventions, two by constitutional commissions, and one by the office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly.
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The constitution was executed without being submitted to voters for ratification
Georgia's first constitution was drafted in 1777 and was executed without being submitted to voters for ratification. It was designed to be temporary and made the Provincial Congress the most powerful branch of government. It remained in effect for twelve years and vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body. It incorporated the separation of powers doctrine and included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
The first attempt at constitutional government in Georgia was initiated in April 1776 by the Provincial Congress. This was in response to a series of mass meetings held throughout the colony. The document provided a framework for the transition from colony to state. Soon after Georgia accepted the Declaration of Independence, its first state constitutional convention was organised. The constitution was completed in February 1777.
Georgia has had 12 ruling documents, from the colonial charter issued in 1732 to the current state constitution, adopted in 1983. The 1777 constitution was updated in 1789 and 1798. A new constitution was adopted at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861 and at the end of the war in 1865. Another new constitution was adopted during the Reconstruction in 1868 and at its end in 1877. There have been three additional constitutions in 1945, 1976, and the current constitution of 1983. Over time, Georgia has used three different methods of constitutional revision: seven were revised by constitutional conventions, two by constitutional commissions, and one by the office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly.
The Georgia Constitution of 1861 was the first state constitution to be submitted to the people for ratification. It was patterned largely after the Confederate Constitution.
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It remained in effect for 12 years
Georgia’s first constitution was drafted in 1777, and it remained in effect for 12 years. The constitution was completed in February 1777 and was executed without having been submitted to voters for ratification. It vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body, incorporated the separation of powers doctrine, and included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
The 1777 constitution was Georgia’s first formal constitution, following an earlier attempt at a temporary constitution in 1776. This first attempt was designed to provide a framework for the transition from colony to state. It was drafted by the Provincial Congress, which was called by the Georgia Trustees in response to a series of mass meetings held throughout the colony.
The 1777 constitution was updated in 1789 and 1798. Since then, Georgia has had 12 ruling documents, including the current state constitution, which was adopted in 1983. Over time, Georgia has used three different methods of constitutional revision: seven were revised by constitutional conventions, two by constitutional commissions and one by the office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly.
The 1777 constitution was also notable for being the first state constitution to be submitted to the people for ratification. This occurred in 1861, when a meeting of seceded states adopted the Constitution of the Confederate States of America. The Georgia Constitution of 1861 was patterned largely after the Confederate Constitution.
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The constitution vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body
Georgia’s first permanent constitution was drafted in 1777, a year after the Provincial Congress was made the most powerful branch of government. This constitution vested most governmental authority in a state legislative body. It incorporated the separation of powers doctrine and included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury. It remained in effect for twelve years, without having been submitted to voters for ratification.
Georgia has had 12 ruling documents, from the colonial charter issued in 1732 to the current state constitution, adopted in 1983. The 1777 constitution was updated in 1789 and 1798. A new constitution was adopted at the beginning of the Civil War in 1861, and at the end of the war in 1865. Another new constitution was adopted during the Reconstruction in 1868 and at its end in 1877. There have been three additional constitutions in 1945, 1976, and the current constitution of 1983. Over time, Georgia has used three different methods of constitutional revision: seven were revised by constitutional conventions, two by constitutional commissions and one by the office of legislative counsel of the Georgia General Assembly.
The 1777 constitution was completed in February and was Georgia's first attempt at constitutional government. It was initiated in April 1776 by the Provincial Congress called by the Georgia Trustees in response to a series of mass meetings held throughout the colony. This document provided a framework for the transition from colony to state. Soon after Georgia accepted the Declaration of Independence, its first state constitutional convention was organised.
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It included basic rights such as freedom of the press and trial by jury
Georgia's first permanent constitution was drafted in 1777, a year after the Provincial Congress was made the most powerful branch of government. This constitution remained in effect for twelve years, vesting most governmental authority in a state legislative body and incorporating the separation of powers doctrine.
It included a number of basic rights, such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury. These rights were guaranteed to all citizens of Georgia, ensuring that they had the freedom to practice their religion without interference from the state, as well as the right to a fair and impartial trial.
Freedom of the press was also a key component of this constitution, protecting the right to publish and distribute information without censorship or restriction. This right was particularly important in the context of the time, as it allowed for the free flow of ideas and information during the transition from colony to state.
The inclusion of these basic rights in Georgia's first permanent constitution laid the foundation for a more democratic and just society, ensuring that the rights of citizens were protected and respected by the government. This constitution served as a model for future revisions and updates, with subsequent constitutions building upon and expanding these fundamental rights.
Over time, Georgia has continued to revise and update its constitution to reflect the changing needs and values of its citizens. There have been a total of twelve ruling documents, from the colonial charter issued in 1732 to the current state constitution, adopted in 1983.
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Frequently asked questions
The Constitution of Georgia.
In 1777.
The document provided a framework for the transition from colony to state. It was also based on the separation of powers doctrine and included basic rights such as the free exercise of religion, freedom of the press, and trial by jury.
Georgia has had 12 ruling documents, from the colonial charter issued in 1732 to the current state constitution, adopted in 1983.
The Constitution of Georgia has been updated several times, with the most recent update being in 1983.

























