Diverse Groups, Transition, Crops (AKS 32 c, d, e) PDF

Trustee Period Trustees The Charter of 1732 gave 21 trustees the right to govern Georgia until 1752. They could govern the colony for 20 years, after that, the colony’s government was to pass to the ruler of England. Remember that during the Trustee period, the trustees had almost complete contr...

Trustee Period Trustees The Charter of 1732 gave 21 trustees the right to govern Georgia until 1752. They could govern the colony for 20 years, after that, the colony’s government was to pass to the ruler of England. Remember that during the Trustee period, the trustees had almost complete control of the colony and made many unique rules in their attempt to create a colony that emphasized equality (“utopian society” idea). Seal of the Trustees Immigrants AKS 32 c Despite the strict rules, people from all over Europe heard about the new colony and began to immigrate there. Many diverse groups, including the Highland Scots, the Salzburgers, and the Jews, joined the settlement in Savannah and made a significant impact on the Georgia colony. Jews In 1733, a group of 42 Portuguese Jews arrived in Savannah’s harbor and asked permission to join the settlement. The Charter of 1732 forbade Jews from settling in Georgia, and Oglethorpe was unsure of what to do. At the time, the colonists faced many illnesses like scurvy, dysentery, and yellow fever (the humid climate and mosquitos contributed to the spread of disease and this was the colonists biggest challenge early on). Video (6:21) on Jewish people in Georgia Jews Nearly one-fourth of the colonists had died from illness, including the colony’s only doctor. When it was discovered that there was a doctor among the Jewish immigrants (Dr. Samuel Nunes), Oglethorpe agreed to let them join the settlement-the first of the Trustee rules to be eliminated. (The Jews also had a man who could make wine.) Congregation Mickve Israel established, oldest in the South, third oldest in nation Salzburgers Video (6:48) The largest ethnic group during the Trustee Period were German Protestants (Lutherans) from Salzburg (in present-day Austria). The Salzburgers came to Georgia in 1734 seeking religious freedom and hoping to establish a silk industry in the colony. “The Expulsion of the Salzburgers” Salzburgers The Salzburgers were given land 25 miles north of Savannah that they named “Ebenezer” (“The Rock of Help”) The Salzburgers were very hard workers, but the location was not good with poor, swampy soil and poor water and many died early on. They eventually asked Oglethorpe for a better site and moved to a new location on the Savannah River “New Ebenezer”. Salzburgers In New Ebenezer, they planted mulberry trees and cultivated silk from silkworms that fed on the leaves. They were also successful in lumber production (first grist mill), cattle raising, and agriculture. The Salzburgers were against slavery and were obedient to the rules of the Trustees The first Patriot governor of GA, John Treutlen, was a Salzburger Salzburgers Salzburgers The Salzburgers established the first orphanage and Sunday School in Georgia. The church that they built, Jerusalem Lutheran Church, is still an active congregation, it is the oldest operating Lutheran congregation in the United States. Salzburgers & Silkworms Oglethorpe was concerned with the military threat posed by the Spanish in Florida so he recruited another group of immigrants to help defend the colony. In January 1736, 177 Scottish soldiers known as the Highland Scots established the town of Darien. The Highland Scots were fierce fighters well-known for bravery in battle. Highland Scots Video (5:30) Highland Scots Video: Modern Scottish Highlanders Marching When the Highland Scots realized the soil was not good for crops, they established successful timber and cattle industries. The Highland Scots created the first Presbyterian Church in Georgia. They were against slavery. The Highland Scots were crucial in defending the colony against Spanish invasions (Battle of Bloody Marsh, St. Augustine campaigns). Highland Scots’ Settlement in Darien Malcontents Many colonists became angry as economic hardship met the colony. They saw that the colony of South Carolina and were jealous, which allowed selling land, alcohol, and slaves, was very successful. These “malcontents” were not happy and demanded the Trustees make some changes. Malcontents Many of the malcontents had paid their own way to come to Georgia and were hoping to get rich off the land using slave labor. They believed that the Trustees’ policies kept the colony from prospering. They did not like their rules! The malcontents said that Georgia would never grow unless people were allowed to buy and sell land and use slaves in their fields. Oglethorpe had little time to resolve the problems because a Spanish invasion was imminent. Trustee Ends AKS 32 d In the end, the Trustees’ economic and social plans for Georgia proved unsuccessful. Georgia did achieve its goal of defending South Carolina from the Spanish; however, it failed with the other aspects of the Trustees’ plan for a model society. Especially after Oglethorpe left, Trustees tired of trying to enforce rules and succeed economically By 1750, land could be bought and sold, slavery was legal, and liquor was allowed in the colony. Royal Colony What are some examples of how Georgia transitioned from a Trustee Period to a Royal Colony? What were the goods and services produced and traded? Royal Colony In 1752, the Charter of 1732 expired and the Trustees surrendered control of the colony to the King (actually did so a year early in 1751). Many rules and regulations changed once Georgia became a royal colony. Restrictions on land ownership and slavery were removed and Georgia began to prosper economically. Cash Crops With land restrictions lifted, colonists were able to build huge plantations along the river deltas where they used slaves to cultivate rice in the fertile marshlands. The tobacco industry boomed and it became one of Georgia’s most valuable cash crops on the world market. Other successful cash crops included rye, wheat, peas, corn, and indigo (blue dye was popular in England). Cash Crops The colonists began raising cows, horses, mules, and pigs. They started cutting down the region’s forests for lumber. They also traded with the American Indians for animal hides. Soon, Georgia began exporting these products to Europe and the West Indies. Slavery Georgia’s economy now relied heavily on slave labor. Slavery Comes to Georgia Short Video Georgia’s enslaved African population grew from less than 500 in 1750 to 18,000 in 1775. African heritage in Georgia (8:10) Sapelo Island Video Slavery in Colonial Georgia Government The new royal government needed new government officials, including an attorney general, head of military, courts, and a royal governor. There was also a legislature (called the General Assembly), with two representatives from each county in the colony. Trustee Colony vs. Royal Colony 1732-1751/52 Ruled by a group (Trustees) including James Oglethorpe Land ownership limited No Slaves allowed Rum (liquor) was prohibited Religious freedom (except Catholics) Women/Children could NOT own land. Town meetings to suggest laws 1752-1776 Ruled by the King (King George II) Unlimited land ownership. Slavery was now legal in the colony. Rum (liquor) was allowed Religious freedom (except Catholics) Women could buy, own, sell land. Town meetings banned, legislature begun Royal Governors (Reynolds, Ellis, Wright). Governors King George II appointed a royal governor to aid in Georgia’s development. The royal governor acted as the king’s voice in the colony and performed administrative duties. The royal governor wielded great power, but also worked closely with the legislature. John Reynolds NOTE: You do need to know for the test specifics about each of the 3 royal governors (Wright will be covered more in Unit 5) -First royal governor from 1754-1756 -General Assembly begun -All males 16-60 must organize into a militia and work on roads for at least 12 days a year -Was not popular in Georgia and was recalled to England John Reynolds Henry Ellis Explorer Henry Ellis served as the next governor from 1757 to 1760. He worked well with the legislature and the American Indians. Ellis showed the colonists how to govern themselves, explaining the need for a budget, taxes, and military defense. He left office in 1760 due to poor health. James Wright Georgia’s final royal governor, James Wright, served from 1760 to 1776. He was a popular governor who negotiated important treaties with the Creek Indians that opened up millions of acres for settlement. Georgia prospered and grew faster than any other English colony under Wright’s leadership. Wright stayed loyal to England when the Revolutionary War began and was eventually arrested. James Wright Legislature In addition to a governor, the new royal government also included a legislature. The upper house of the bicameral legislature included officials appointed by the king. Georgians were allowed to elect members to the lower house, which was Georgia’s first opportunity at self-government. Restrictions Even though colonists now had a voice in the government, their say was still limited. Only white male citizens who owned at least 50 acres of land were allowed to vote. A colonist could only be elected to the legislature if he owned more than 500 acres of land. The king (or governor) could veto any law passed by the legislature. W.R.I.S.T. W R I S T RICE WINE INDIGO SILK TOBACCO AKS 32 e …and the climate of north Georgia, where it is cooler, is better for growing grapes. This crop became more common and profitable after slavery was legalized in GA. Video on Rice (6:41) slave labor (after it was legalized) also was used in producing indigo, this crop also provided to be hazardous to produce The founders of GA were very motivated to produce silk. Other than the Salzburgers who had some success, it never really was profitable. Making Silk Video (1:42) slave labor would also be later used to grow tobacco © Brain Wrinkles None of these crops were very profitable during the Trustee period. After the legalization of slavery in 1750, rice, indigo, and tobacco began to bring economic wealth to the Georgia colony.