AKS 33
American Revolution
Vocabulary Words:
French and Indian War
Proclamation of 1763
Stamp Act
Declaration of Independence
Loyalist (Tory)
Whigs (Patriots)
Siege of Savannah
Articles of Confederation
United States Constitution
Sons of Liberty
Grievances
Liberty Boys
French and Indian War
Proclamation of 1763
Stamp Act
Declaration of Independence
Loyalist (Tory)
Whigs (Patriots)
Siege of Savannah
Articles of Confederation
United States Constitution
Sons of Liberty
Grievances
Liberty Boys
No Taxation without Representation!
AKS 33a
Explain the causes of the American Revolution as they impacted Georgia; include the French and Indian War, Proclamation of 1763, and the Stamp Act.
Explain the causes of the American Revolution as they impacted Georgia; include the French and Indian War, Proclamation of 1763, and the Stamp Act.
The French and Indian War was the result of disputes between France and Great Britain that had been going on for almost sixty-five years. The causes of the nine-year war that began in 1754 were greed (for more land) and fear (that the other countries would get more). The tension between the two countries increased because both claimed the area of the Ohio River Valley.
Georgia did not take part in the war, but it was helped by the war. The Treaty of Paris of 1763, which formally ended the war, set Georgia's western boundary at the Mississippi River.
Georgia did not take part in the war, but it was helped by the war. The Treaty of Paris of 1763, which formally ended the war, set Georgia's western boundary at the Mississippi River.
The French and Indian War was expensive as was continued British protection of the colonies, so Britain levied more taxes. When the American colonists complained about the unfairness of the new taxes, Great Britain passed some strict laws and started enforcing some old laws. The Navigation Acts, passed in the 1660s, said the colonies could only ship their goods on British vessels. This was not a problem for Georgia. Most of its trade was still with Great Britain, and British ships often sailed to and from Georgia. In 1764, the British increased tax on wine and imported goods received very little opposition in Georgia. Most of the money Georgia needed for its government was provided by Parliament, so the colony paid little tax to Great Britain. Georgia became more concerned when the Sugar Act was passed placing a tax on sugar and molasses imported from the West Indies. Georgia did a great deal of trading with sugar-producing countries such as Jamaica and Barbados.
The Proclamation of 1763 moved Georgia's southern boundary to the St. Mary's River, but also forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. The King claimed this was for the protection of the colonists as he could not ensure their safety beyond the mountains; however, this really upset the independent minded colonists who wondered why the British government felt they had to right to tell colonists where they could live. The Cherokee and the Creek gave up all their lands between the Ogeechee and Savannah Rivers north to Augusta. They also had to give up the coastal land south of the Altamaha River.
The Stamp Act was an attempt to raise money to pay for the French and Indian War. This act placed a tax on newspapers, legal documents, and licenses. Throughout the colonies, the reaction to the Stamp Act was swift and sometimes violent. A Stamp Act Congress met in Boston, Massachusetts, to speak against British taxes. The Georgia colonial assembly was not in session at the time, so it did not send a representative to the Stamp Act Congress. Nevertheless, on the day before it went into effect, a few Georgia citizens showed their dislike of the Stamp Act by burning an effigy (a likeness) of the stamp master in the streets of Savannah. The issue was not really the tax, but the fact that the colonists had no way of voicing their opinion about new taxes to the British Parliament since they had no representatives there.
The Proclamation of 1763 restricted settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, which angered colonists who wanted land and felt they had fought and won the right to it.
The Proclamation of 1763 restricted settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains, which angered colonists who wanted land and felt they had fought and won the right to it.
AKS 33b
Interpret the three parts of the Declaration of Independence (preamble, grievances, and declaration) and identify the three Georgia signers of the document including Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.
Interpret the three parts of the Declaration of Independence (preamble, grievances, and declaration) and identify the three Georgia signers of the document including Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.
The Declaration of Independence, written Thomas Jefferson, was a list of political arguments to separate from Great Britain, and the Colonists' complaints against Britain (taxation without representation). It was signed on July 4, 1776 by representatives from all 13 colonies who were attending the Second Continental Congress. It contains a preamble, body, and conclusion. Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton were all signers from Georgia.
The Declaration of Independence contains 1, 458 words in three parts. The Preamble, or introduction, stated how the colonists felt about democracy. The second part, or the body, listed twenty-seven grievances (complaints) about King George III and his government that led the colonists to seek independence from Great Britain. The third part, the conclusion, declared the colonies to be an independent nation for all future times. Jefferson tried to include the abolition of slavery in the Declaration, but it was not supported by southern states, and was therefore struck from the document. In signing the Declaration of Independence, these great men knew they were signing their death warrants if they did not win the war against Great Britain.
The Declaration produced great excitement in Georgia; however, some colonists decided to return to Great Britain rather than separate from their home country. By May 1777, Georgia had adopted its first state constitution at a constitutional convention held in Savannah. The parish system was done away with, and eight counties were formed.
Problems: rather than a bicameral legislature, the Constitution of 1777 provided for a unicameral, or one-house, legislature. This single legislative body had very broad powers, including the ability to make appointments for the judicial branch (the courts) and the executive branch (the governor). Although the Constitution of 1777 was changed in 1789, the first endeavor in providing for state's rights was an important step in Georgia's development.
The Declaration of Independence contains 1, 458 words in three parts. The Preamble, or introduction, stated how the colonists felt about democracy. The second part, or the body, listed twenty-seven grievances (complaints) about King George III and his government that led the colonists to seek independence from Great Britain. The third part, the conclusion, declared the colonies to be an independent nation for all future times. Jefferson tried to include the abolition of slavery in the Declaration, but it was not supported by southern states, and was therefore struck from the document. In signing the Declaration of Independence, these great men knew they were signing their death warrants if they did not win the war against Great Britain.
The Declaration produced great excitement in Georgia; however, some colonists decided to return to Great Britain rather than separate from their home country. By May 1777, Georgia had adopted its first state constitution at a constitutional convention held in Savannah. The parish system was done away with, and eight counties were formed.
Problems: rather than a bicameral legislature, the Constitution of 1777 provided for a unicameral, or one-house, legislature. This single legislative body had very broad powers, including the ability to make appointments for the judicial branch (the courts) and the executive branch (the governor). Although the Constitution of 1777 was changed in 1789, the first endeavor in providing for state's rights was an important step in Georgia's development.
Lyman Hall, George Walton, and Button Gwinnett (in order of photos above) were all signers of the Declaration of Independence and members of the Second Continental Congress.
AKS 33c
Analyze the significance of the Loyalists and Patriots as a part of Georgia’s role in the Revolutionary War; include the Battle of Kettle Creek and Siege of Savannah
Analyze the significance of the Loyalists and Patriots as a part of Georgia’s role in the Revolutionary War; include the Battle of Kettle Creek and Siege of Savannah
Loyalists (also called Royalists) supported the rule of Great Britain.
Patriots (also called Whigs and Rebels) supported American Independence
Patriots (also called Whigs and Rebels) supported American Independence
Battle of Kettle Creek
The Battle of Kettle Creek took place in February 1779. The Battle was relatively small, but did show the Georgia militia could be effective. Georgia's militia, under the direction of Colonel Elijah Clarke, was able to capture much needed weapons and horses from the British soldiers. This proved that Americans could be victorious against British forces and greatly improved morale.
In early September 1779, combined American and French forces met of Tybee Island. The combined armies laid siege to Savannah. Finally, at daybreak on October 9, the American and French troops attacked British positions. The attack, which lasted only 45 minutes, failed. By the time it was over, more than 1,000 men with the American forces (821 of whom were French) and 40 British lay dead. Over 600 men were wounded. One of America's best foreign patriots, Polish Count Casimir Pulaski, had given his life for a country not his own. Savannah was set to remain in British hands for the next 3 1/2 years. Georgia was left in the hands of two governments, one royal and one rebel. Each government tried to take charge of the state, but neither was very effective. Some Georgians openly supported the king, while others just as openly supported the cause of independence. The major battles of the war were over, but guerrilla warfare-both political and military-continued in the backcountry of Georgia.