Founding of Georgia

How and why was the colony of Georgia founded? Essential question How and why was the colony of Georgia founded?

Credited as the founder and first governor of Georgia James Oglethorpe Credited as the founder and first governor of Georgia 1722: elected to British Parliament Was instrumental in an effort for British prison reform -- Had a friend die in prison -- He was in prison for his inability to pay his debts Oglethorpe wanted to establish a colony for those in debtor’s prison and the worthy poor.

James oglethorpe Oglethorpe asked King George II to award a charter that would allow a colony to be established south of the Carolinas. In 1730 he asked King George II for a tract of land “southwest of Carolina for setting poor persons of London” *Charter: a written document signed by the king that granted certain rights *Charter of 1732: outlined in detail the reasons for Georgia’s settlement and rules for the colonists.

The seal features two males on each side and they represent the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers. The female figure with the cornucopia symbolizes hoped for prosperity for the colony.

Sort the reasons into the correct part of the flipbook- does the reason fit under Defense, Economics, or Charity/Philanthropy? 1. Possible fur trading with the Native Americans 2. Did not actually become a debtors /prisoners colony 3. Each male must join militia and defend the colony against all enemies 4. Allow persons being persecuted for being Protestant living in Catholic areas 5. Mercantilism- Colony produce raw goods for the mother country 6. Planned to grow mulberry trees for silk production 7. Trustees would pay the way and each man would receive 50 acres and food/tools for a year 8. Buffer between Carolina colony vs. Spanish Florida and French near Gulf Coast 9. Were to grow grapes and olives to make wine and olive oil for Britain 10. Colony for deserving poor people of England- Debtors colony

Reasons for Founding GEorgia Defense: The most important reason for founding Georgia *South Carolina was constantly threatened by Spain in Florida and the French near the Gulf Coast *Georgia’s primary role was to serve as a military buffer between the two. * Each male must join the militia and defend the new colony against all enemies (Spanish in Florida, Native Americans)

Reasons for founding Georgia Economics: Britain’s economic policy of mercantilism - Mercantilism: to build economic strength, a nation must export more than it imports. - Britain used the raw goods (natural resources) to produce manufactured goods that were sold in European markets and back to the colonies. - The natural resources Georgia was responsible for: W – wine (grapes) R – rice I - indigo S – silk (mulberry trees) T - tobacco

Reasons for founding Georgia Charity: poor and unemployed could apply to travel to the new colony *Note: Even though Oglethorpe’s vision was to establish the colony for debtors, no debtor was ever released from prison to live in the colony. *Allow escape to persons persecuted for being Protestant living in Catholic (Papist) areas *Trustees would pay the way and each man would receive 50 acres and food/tools for a year

Elbow Partner Turn to a neighbor. Create a way to remember the three reasons for the founding of Georgia. Be creative. You will be sharing your idea with the rest of the class. Instructional Approach: Give the students about 10 minutes to create their idea. You may even want them to draw/write it out on paper and post on the wall and have the whole class go around and vote on their favorite.

Charter of 1732 Officially established Georgia named in honor of King George II. Georgia would be ruled by a group of 21 Trustees for 21 years. To create a balanced society, Trustees were not paid, could not own land, or hold office in the colony. After 21 years, rule would revert to the king.

Grow mulberry trees to produce silk Other Charter RULES Grow mulberry trees to produce silk Not sell the land- pass all land down to male heirs Obey all Trustee rules Jews banned (this ban was lifted quickly once a group of Portuguese Jews arrived in GA with a doctor) How do you think settlers felt about all of these rules?

They arrived in South Carolina on January 13, 1733. Arriving In Georgia Chosen colonists, mostly tradesmen, left England (35 families, 114 people) aboard the ship Anne on November 17, 1732. They arrived in South Carolina on January 13, 1733. Oglethorpe searched for a place to settle.

Side note Oglethorpe’s dream (create a colony for debtors and the “worthy poor”) never became a reality. No debtor was ever released from prison to live in the colony Most settlers were not wealthy, but were skilled craftsmen looking for a “new start” The appealing incentives (50 acres of land- 500 if colonists paid their own passage- one years’ supply of food, free seed and agricultural supplies) were too enticing for people with means to leave Europe. WRIST products- never “successfully” cultivated (i.e. economically profitable) during this time period. Later, rice, indigo and tobacco were successful crops.

The Land Oglethorpe Chose He selected a high bluff overlooking the Savannah River. (It was known as Yamacraw Bluff.) He met the Yamacraw Indians and their chief Tomochichi. Mary Musgrove acted as an interpreter between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi. -Her contributions were critical to the founding of Savannah and Georgia.

The Land Oglethorpe Chose Tomochichi and Oglethorpe became friends and established peaceful relationships with the Creeks and other tribes. In Feb. 1733, Oglethorpe and the colonists cleared land and founded the new city of Savannah.

Think about: How is the colony described? -Land -Weather -resources available -lifestyle

What were the three main reasons for establishing the colony of GA? Ticket out the Door What were the three main reasons for establishing the colony of GA? List the four main prohibitions in the Charter of 1732 What was the name of the first settlement by British settlers in Georgia? Describe the layout of this city. How did Mary Musgrove impact the founding of GA? How did Tomochichi impact the founding of GA?