Settlement of Georgia (AKS 32 a and b) PDF

The Settlement of GEORGIA AKS 32 a and b © Brain Wrinkles  James Oglethorpe (1696-1785) The Founding Father of Georgia Short Video on Ogletho...

The Settlement of GEORGIA AKS 32 a and b © Brain Wrinkles  James Oglethorpe (1696-1785) The Founding Father of Georgia Short Video on Oglethorpe © Brain Wrinkles  Founding of Georgia James Oglethorpe was a wealthy, well educated member of England’s Parliament. He was upset with the harsh punishment and conditions that many of London’s citizens had suffered from as a result of being in debt and thrown into jail with no way to repay their debt and no hope of being released. After Oglethorpe’s friend died of smallpox in prison, he wanted to find a way to improve the quality of life for these citizens. He saw these people as “worthy but poor” or the “worthy poor”. In 1720, Oglethorpe began talking about creating a colony to help the country’s poor and unemployed. He asked King George II for a charter of land in America. King George agreed believing the new colony would help England economically and it would also serve as a buffer colony between the Spanish controlled Florida and the British colony of South Carolina. In 1732, the Charter of 1732 was established, and the colony was named Georgia in honor of King George II. Georgia was the last of the 13 Colonies (that would become the first 13 states) to be established. Short Video on the Charter of 1732…now let’s look at the Charter more specifically… “... that many of our poor subjects are, through misfortunes and want of employment, reduced to great necessity, insomuch as by their labor they are not able to provide a maintenance for themselves and families; and if they had means to defray their charges of passage, and other expenses, incident to new settlements, they would be glad to settle in any of our provinces in America...”  “... that many of our poor subjects are, through misfortunes and want of employment, reduced to great necessity, insomuch as by their laborThat they are not able so many oftoour provide poorapeople maintenance are, for themselves through and families; and ifand difficulties theywant had means to be to defray their charges of passage, and other expenses, incident employed In needtoofnew settlements, the basics to they live,would be glad to settle since in any by their of our (the provinces poor) labor in America (work, jobs)...” , they (the poor people) are not able to provide food and shelter for themselves or their families, And if they (the poor people) had a way to reduce or not Items needed for a new settlement, pay for cost of the tickets on the ship, and other expenses, they (the poor) would be glad to move to live in any of our colonies (Georgia) in America…” Read the excerpt from the Charter of 1732. Circle any unfamiliar words. Can you define them with context clues? Write the meaning under the word. Underline the main purpose or goals “...they might not only gain a comfortable subsistence for themselves and families, but also strengthen our colonies and increase the trade, navigation and wealth of these our realms. And whereas our provinces in North America, have been frequently ravaged by Indian enemies, more especially that of South-Carolina…”  “...they might not only gain a comfortable subsistence for themselves The poor people Wouldour be colonies able to support and families, but also strengthen and increase the trade, navigation and wealth of these our realms. And whereas our provinces Establish shipping in North passages America, kingdoms have been frequently ravaged by Indian enemies, colonies more especially that of South-Carolina…” attacked What were four advantages the king would gain for establishing Georgia? The Charter of 1732 was a document that laid out the three main reasons for founding the colony of Georgia: Philanthropy, Economy, Defense. Philanthropy – “charity” – Many of Georgia’s first settlers were not wealthy. Many were skilled craftsmen who were looking for a “new start”. Economics – Mercantilism – England’s economic philosophy of exporting more than importing. In order to help England economically, the Trustees hoped that the colonists of Georgia would be able to produce agricultural crops that could not be grown successfully in England (especially silk). Defense – The most important reason for Georgia’s founding was defense. Georgia’s role was to serve as a military buffer between South Carolina and the Spanish who occupied Florida. It was mandatory that all colonists defend against attacks from the Spanish, French and Native Americans.  Note: This is the goal that mattered most to Oglethorpe © Brain Wrinkles  Exporting more than importing Mercantilism Video (3 min) Note: The success of these crops varied, but overall they were not successful at first. © Brain Wrinkles  W.R.I.S.T. W WINE R RICE I INDIGO S SILK T TOBACCO © Brain Wrinkles  Military Defense was the only of the three goals fully accomplished Video on the Battle of Bloody Marsh © Brain Wrinkles A group of 21 trustees, including James Oglethorpe, managed and invested in the settlement of Georgia. The period of time that the Trustees and Oglethorpe oversaw the colony was known as the Trustee Period (lasted for almost 20 years). The Trustees would essentially have total control over the Georgia colony during. From hundreds of families hoping to find an opportunity for a new life in Georgia, only 35 families were chosen. Many of these citizens were chosen by the Trustees because they were poor but hardworking. There was much planning as they wanted people with specific skills that would be needed in the new colony. None of these being the debtors being held in prisons. These families were given incentives including 50 acres of land (500 if they paid for their own passage), a year’s supply of food and seed, and agricultural supplies. It also gave strict guidelines for the colonists as well as the Trustees. The Trustees could not own land, be paid, or hold office in Georgia. The colonists could not own slaves (Georgia was the only one of the 13 Colonies to ban slavery at its beginning) – to encourage hard work and equal opportunity to the colonists. The Trustees felt that alcohol made people lazy; therefore, hard liquor was not allowed. (Although, colonists could drink ale/beer, ciders, and wine.) Catholics and Jews were not allowed within the colony. England was a Protestant country and at war with the Catholic countries of Spain and France. Lawyers were also not allowed. The Trustees felt that the colonists should settle their own disputes. The charter described Georgia’s boundaries as consisting of the land between the Savannah River and the Altamaha River with the Atlantic Ocean forming its eastern boundary and its western boundary being the “South Seas” which refers to the Pacific Ocean.  From Sea to Sea Atlantic Pacific Ocean Ocean © Brain Wrinkles The Trustees “Rules” for Colonists No Rum (or other hard liquor) No Slavery No Roman Catholics or Jews Restrictions on buying and selling land (could only be passed down to male heirs) Must plant Mulberry Trees (Why?) No Lawyers Why these rules? Oglethorpe and the Trustees were attempting to create a “utopian” society where everyone had an equal opportunity to be successful.  Colonists Oglethorpe interviewed hundreds of people, but only accepted 35 families to travel to Georgia. He only chose people with skills to make Georgia a success (tailors, carpenters, bakers, farmers, etc.). Many British citizens supported Oglethorpe’s venture by donating supplies and money. © Brain Wrinkles  Arrival AKS 32 b On November 17, 1732, the Ann sailed from England with Oglethorpe and 114 other people on board. In January 1733, after almost three months, the colonists arrived in America. Oglethorpe selected a high bluff overlooking the Savannah River for settlement. © Brain Wrinkles  Savannah In February 1733, Oglethorpe and the colonists cleared the land beside the river for the new city of Savannah. The trustees hoped that Savannah would be a “classless society”. They wanted the houses to be similar, the land holdings to be restricted, and slavery to be forbidden in the colony. © Brain Wrinkles  Savannah City Plan, 1734 © Brain Wrinkles  Savannah River Click on the image below to reference a Primary Source. © Brain Wrinkles  Savannah Savannah was the first city in the 13 colonies to be a “planned” city. Oglethorpe’s plan for Savannah featured public squares that were surrounded by community buildings and 40 houses. Each household had an equal plot of land. The colonists built more than 50 buildings in the first year alone. Of the 24 original city squares the city was designed with, 22 still exist today. © Brain Wrinkles  The “Big 3” But how could this group of colonists to Georgia even be allowed to build their capital city on such a desirable piece of land? To answer that question we look at the role of the “Big 3” or as I like to call them, the “Georgia MVPs”. These three people are: James Oglethorpe (whom we have already learned a good bit about and would stay in Georgia for 10 years until 1743), Chief Tomochichi, and Mary Musgrove. © Brain Wrinkles  Yamacraw Indian Chief, Tomochichi (1644?-1739), and his Nephew, Toonahowi. Short Video on Tomochichi © Brain Wrinkles  Tomochichi While scouting the new land, Oglethorpe met a group of Yamacraw (Creek) Indians and their elderly chief, Tomochichi. Oglethorpe did not want any conflict to occur between the Indians and the colonists. He wanted to negotiate fairly with Tomochichi to ensure the success of the new settlement. © Brain Wrinkles  Mary Musgrove (1700?-1765) was the daughter of a Creek Indian mother and an English father. She understood the language and culture of both groups. Video about Mary Musgrove © Brain Wrinkles  Mary Musgrove Fortunately for Oglethorpe, a mixed-race Indian woman named Mary Musgrove offered to translate. She served as interpreter for Oglethorpe from 1733 to 1743 and helped him work peacefully with the Creek Indians. © Brain Wrinkles  Mary Musgrove Musgrove helped Oglethorpe and Tomochichi work together to establish a peaceful relationship. Her contributions were critical to the founding of Savannah and the colony of Georgia. She ended up marrying three times (her first two husbands died) and was also a successful business owner and land owner (very unusual for a woman at that time in history). © Brain Wrinkles © Brain Wrinkles  Yamacraw Bluff The negotiations between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi were successful. Tomochichi agreed to give the American Indian land at Yamacraw Bluff to Oglethorpe to build his settlement. This 40 foot bluff was a strategic point for trade (river) and defense (high point). Over time, the two men became close friends and worked together (and on one visit Tomochichi would even travel to England with Oglethorpe) to establish peaceful relationships with other American Indian tribes as well. © Brain Wrinkles  Tomochichi and Oglethorpe © Brain Wrinkles