University of Wisconsin Center for the Study of the American Constitution, Georgia Ratifies the Constitution, 31 December 1787

Georgia was largely indifferent to national concerns leading up to 1787, until the threat of war with the Creek Nation made them realize they might need help from the federal government. During the debates at the Constitutional Convention, the Georgia delegation generally argued in favor of a strong central government (except when it came to regulation of slavery), most likely because of what they viewed as danger from the Native Americans and the need for help from an effective central government. These concerns were likely why they were the first southern state to ratify the Constitution, and why they did so swiftly and unanimously. However, once the Constitution was ratified, Georgians' disagreement with federal policy toward Native Americans would create tensions, exasperating George Washington and his administration as they tried to implement the Constitution.