AKS 32
Georgia's colonial history
Why did people move to Georgia
Vocabulary Words
1.. James Oglethorpe
2. Tomochichi
3. Mary Musgrove
4. Trustees
5. Charter of 1732
6. Colony
7. Philanthropy
8. Malcontents
9. Philanthropy
10. Alliances
11. Debtor
12. Battle of Bloody Marsh
1.. James Oglethorpe
2. Tomochichi
3. Mary Musgrove
4. Trustees
5. Charter of 1732
6. Colony
7. Philanthropy
8. Malcontents
9. Philanthropy
10. Alliances
11. Debtor
12. Battle of Bloody Marsh
AKS 32a
Explain the importance of the Charter of 1732, including the reasons for settlement (philanthropy, economics, and defense).
Explain the importance of the Charter of 1732, including the reasons for settlement (philanthropy, economics, and defense).
James Oglethorpe was a wealthy British man and member of Parliament. Oglethorpe was working on prison reform and was against debtor's prison. He took up a proposal to turn the American colonies into a place for debtors to begin new lives. Oglethorpe was a good man who wanted to help the poor and disadvantaged in life. He secured a tract of land in south Georgia from King George II based on England's desire to create a buffer colony between English settlements and the Indians, French, and Spanish as well as the king's desire for raw materials. Oglethorpe moved to Georgia and garnered additional lands by making treaties with the Indians in the area. He also formulated the plan for Savannah. Debtors never actually arrived in Georgia as Oglethorpe had planned.
The Charter of 1732 was a legal agreement between King George II and the trustees establishing the colony of Georgia. The Charter allowed the trustees to manage the colony for 21 years, but also stated the trustees could not own land, hold political office, or be given money for their work.
The Charter also placed restrictions in the colony. Catholics (Papists) were bared, along with blacks, liquor dealers, and lawyers. Catholics were not allowed due to a continued division between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. Blacks were not allowed so as not to introduce slavery into the colony. The trustees did not allow liquor for fear the colonists would not work if drinking. Colonists were expected to settle their differences out of court and not rely on a court system, which kept lawyers from being permitted. The trustees could pass no laws without the kings agreement since the colony belong to the crown. All instructions were to come directly from King George II. In order to get around this, the trustees did not make "laws," but rather they passed "regulations" and gave "government orders." The trustees were limited, but they developed the "Georgia Plan for Colonization."
The Charter also placed restrictions in the colony. Catholics (Papists) were bared, along with blacks, liquor dealers, and lawyers. Catholics were not allowed due to a continued division between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. Blacks were not allowed so as not to introduce slavery into the colony. The trustees did not allow liquor for fear the colonists would not work if drinking. Colonists were expected to settle their differences out of court and not rely on a court system, which kept lawyers from being permitted. The trustees could pass no laws without the kings agreement since the colony belong to the crown. All instructions were to come directly from King George II. In order to get around this, the trustees did not make "laws," but rather they passed "regulations" and gave "government orders." The trustees were limited, but they developed the "Georgia Plan for Colonization."
The colony of Georgia provided several important functions for King George II. First, it would provide protection for southern Carolinas from Spanish Florida. It would also provide protection from the French who were pushing east from the Mississippi River Valley. The king also hoped to make financial gain (like the Spanish had) by trading with the Native Americans between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River. Having additional land translated to more power and money for the king.
Oglethorpe proposed the colony would produce silk, cotton dyes, and wine. These were all products England was currently importing from Spain, France, and Russia. The trustees promised to send semitropical fruit and spices back to Great Britain as well. Merchants in England were excited about the prospect of gaining more raw materials while having a new market to sell their finished products.
The trustees promised religious freedom to those being mistreated by the Catholic Church in Europe.
Oglethorpe proposed the colony would produce silk, cotton dyes, and wine. These were all products England was currently importing from Spain, France, and Russia. The trustees promised to send semitropical fruit and spices back to Great Britain as well. Merchants in England were excited about the prospect of gaining more raw materials while having a new market to sell their finished products.
The trustees promised religious freedom to those being mistreated by the Catholic Church in Europe.
AKS 32b
Analyze the relationship between James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove in establishing the city of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff.
Analyze the relationship between James Oglethorpe, Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove in establishing the city of Savannah at Yamacraw Bluff.
Tomochichi was the Yamacraw Indian chief who welcomed Oglethorpe to Georgia. On Feburary 12, 1733, Chief Tomochichi allowed the Ann's passengers to land on the sandy Yamacraw Bluff overlooking the Savannah River. Tomochichi developed a close relationship with Oglethorpe which lasted until the chief died in 1739. He was key to the settlers early success and supported trade agreements with the colonists.
Mary Musgrove was the wife of John Musgrove, who owned a trading post in south Carolina where Oglethorpe and the Ann first landed. She served as an interpreter between Tomochichi and Oglethorpe.
You can view a video about Mary Musgrove at the following link: http://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/mary_musgrove
Oglethorpe chose Savannah as the site for his settlement due to its location. It had a fresh water source, the Savannah River, a safe port, was close to South Carolina (which was already settled), and the native population was friendly. As Oglethorpe stated:
I chose this Situation for the Town upon a high Ground, forty feet perpendicular above High Water Mark; The Soil dry and Sandy, the Water of the River Fresh, Springs coming out from the Sides of the Hills. ...I thought it healthy; For it is sheltered from the Western and southern Winds ... by vast Woods of Pine Trees, many of which are an hundred, and few under seventy feet high. The last and fullest consideration of the Healthfulness of the place was that an Indian nation, who knew the Nature of this Country, chose it for their Habitation.
I chose this Situation for the Town upon a high Ground, forty feet perpendicular above High Water Mark; The Soil dry and Sandy, the Water of the River Fresh, Springs coming out from the Sides of the Hills. ...I thought it healthy; For it is sheltered from the Western and southern Winds ... by vast Woods of Pine Trees, many of which are an hundred, and few under seventy feet high. The last and fullest consideration of the Healthfulness of the place was that an Indian nation, who knew the Nature of this Country, chose it for their Habitation.
AKS 32c
Evaluate the role of diverse groups (Jews, Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Malcontents) settling Georgia during the Trustee Period.
Evaluate the role of diverse groups (Jews, Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Malcontents) settling Georgia during the Trustee Period.
The Trustee Period of Georgia's history was a mixed bag.
1. They did not support slavery
2. They limited rum (alcohol)
3. Many of the planned crops failed.
4. No land ownership
Disease killed 40 of the original settlers. Additional settlers (Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Jews) arrived to boost the population.
The Mulberry trees, thought to be used for silk worms, failed to work. Oglethorpe returned to Georgia from England with new regulations (no slaves, no rum, and only male heirs could inherit land), which were very unpopular with the settlers. South Carolina did not have such regulations and their settlements were very prosperous. War between England and Spain raised tension in the colony since it was so close to Spanish Florida.
In 1742 efforts to keep rum from being sold were finally stopped. The settlers continued to push for slave ownership and rights to own larger tracts of land (over 500 acres). By 1750 those regulations were repealed as well. Due to the repeal of these regulations many early Georgia settlers returned to the colony between 1752 and 1754.
British Parliament quit setting aside money to help fund the colony and care for the needs of the colonists, and Georgia became an economic failure. Many unhappy settlers moved elsewhere, and the dissension in the colony continued. Rum was freely imported, and slavery was introduced to the area. The colony suffered from a lack of continuity of leadership.
1. They did not support slavery
2. They limited rum (alcohol)
3. Many of the planned crops failed.
4. No land ownership
Disease killed 40 of the original settlers. Additional settlers (Salzburgers, Highland Scots, and Jews) arrived to boost the population.
The Mulberry trees, thought to be used for silk worms, failed to work. Oglethorpe returned to Georgia from England with new regulations (no slaves, no rum, and only male heirs could inherit land), which were very unpopular with the settlers. South Carolina did not have such regulations and their settlements were very prosperous. War between England and Spain raised tension in the colony since it was so close to Spanish Florida.
In 1742 efforts to keep rum from being sold were finally stopped. The settlers continued to push for slave ownership and rights to own larger tracts of land (over 500 acres). By 1750 those regulations were repealed as well. Due to the repeal of these regulations many early Georgia settlers returned to the colony between 1752 and 1754.
British Parliament quit setting aside money to help fund the colony and care for the needs of the colonists, and Georgia became an economic failure. Many unhappy settlers moved elsewhere, and the dissension in the colony continued. Rum was freely imported, and slavery was introduced to the area. The colony suffered from a lack of continuity of leadership.
Replacement settlers were important as so many early settlers died and people were needed to work in the new colony. Jews were welcomed into the colony (especially since they brought the first doctor with them).
Fighting between Protestants and Catholics in Europe brought many new settlers to Georgia. In March 1734 German Protestants from the town of Salzberg arrived after being forced from their homes by the Catholics. They were led by John Martin Bolzius (pictured to the left). Oglethorpe settled the Salzbergers in a place 25 miles from Savannah. There they began a town called Ebenezer which means "the Rock of Help." The Salzbergers spoke a different language than other settlers and stayed mostly to themselves. They worked hard to improve the land and colony, but struggled to grow crops as the land around Ebenezer was swampy and contained poor soil. In 1736, they moved to Red Bluff on the Savannah River. They build a new town, New Ebenezer, but were later moved again to Frederica on St. Simon's Island.
The Highland Scots were the third group to arrive in Georgia. They settled in Darien. They were opposed to slavery.
Fighting between Protestants and Catholics in Europe brought many new settlers to Georgia. In March 1734 German Protestants from the town of Salzberg arrived after being forced from their homes by the Catholics. They were led by John Martin Bolzius (pictured to the left). Oglethorpe settled the Salzbergers in a place 25 miles from Savannah. There they began a town called Ebenezer which means "the Rock of Help." The Salzbergers spoke a different language than other settlers and stayed mostly to themselves. They worked hard to improve the land and colony, but struggled to grow crops as the land around Ebenezer was swampy and contained poor soil. In 1736, they moved to Red Bluff on the Savannah River. They build a new town, New Ebenezer, but were later moved again to Frederica on St. Simon's Island.
The Highland Scots were the third group to arrive in Georgia. They settled in Darien. They were opposed to slavery.
The Georgia colony had its fair share of malcontents. The settlers were facing economic hardships. Their mulberry trees were the wrong kind from producing the large amount of silk they had hoped for, and the colonists were unable to grow hemp, flax, indigo, or the grapes for the wine they had promised the king. Their South Carolina neighbors lived under few regulations and were able to own more land, slaves, and buy and sell rum. South Carolina's settlers were growing rice, cotton, and tobacco making them an economic success. A large part of SC's success was due to slave ownership. Both the Salzbergers and the Highland Scots opposed slavery; however, the growing number of British settlers wanted slaves. Many of Georgia's settlers moved to places where they could live more freely.
In retaliation of the Spanish cutting of the ear of Robert Jenkins, a British pirate (seaman), Oglethorpe and his soldiers led a surprise attack on June 15, 1740 against the Spanish. The Spanish won the attack.
During the next two years, there were numerous attacks and counterattacks between the Spanish and British settlers, with neither side gaining much ground. In July 1742, Oglethorpe got the opportunity he needed. His forces, assisted by the Highland Scots, waited in the dense woods along the marshes on St. Simon's Island. Spanish troops were caught completely by surprise and forced back across the Florida border. Even though the action was known as the Battle of Bloody Marsh, it was neither big nor very bloody. It did, however, mark the beginning of a safe southern frontier for the British.
During the next two years, there were numerous attacks and counterattacks between the Spanish and British settlers, with neither side gaining much ground. In July 1742, Oglethorpe got the opportunity he needed. His forces, assisted by the Highland Scots, waited in the dense woods along the marshes on St. Simon's Island. Spanish troops were caught completely by surprise and forced back across the Florida border. Even though the action was known as the Battle of Bloody Marsh, it was neither big nor very bloody. It did, however, mark the beginning of a safe southern frontier for the British.
AKS 32d
Explain the development of Georgia as a Royal Colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, government and impact of the royal governors.
Explain the development of Georgia as a Royal Colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, government and impact of the royal governors.
A bicameral, or two-chamber, legislature was set up to represent the eight parishes of the colony. In order to vote, a settler had to own at least 50 acres of land. Those wishing to become a member of the Assembly had to own at least 500 acres of land. Members of the Assembly could write and vote on bills before they became laws. The King of England appointed the members of the Governor's Council. The men selected were wealthy, influential landowners. They were to advise the governor, approve land grants, make laws, and sometimes act as judges in legal cases. Governor Reynolds also set up a court system. When the colonists had differences with each other, they went before the Court of Conscience, over which presided a local justice of the peace. Cases that could not be settled in the Court of Conscience could be carried to the Governor's Council.
The colony made economic gains. There were more and profitable farms. There were more merchants with a greater variety of items to sell. As a result, the colonists could buy the things they could not grow or manufacture, such as cloth, sugar, farming tools, and seeds for planting.
The colony made economic gains. There were more and profitable farms. There were more merchants with a greater variety of items to sell. As a result, the colonists could buy the things they could not grow or manufacture, such as cloth, sugar, farming tools, and seeds for planting.