EQ: How did Growth and Prosperity affect Georgia? PT: Give two reasons why colonists did not settle west of the Appalachian mountains before the American Revolution? What was Georgia’s western boundary in 1732? At the end of the French and Indian War?

Georgia Looses it’s Western Territory Many years after the American Revolution, Spain and Georgia claimed a large stretch of land between the Chattahoochee and Mississippi rivers. 1795, Spain signs treaty with United States to give up it’s claim. Land became known as the Mississippi Territory, and would have it’s own government. The land was no longer part of Georgia.

Many problems over the Yazoo Land Fraud convinced state leaders, in 1802, to transfer the contested territories to the federal government. In return, the feds paid Georgia $1,250,000 and promised to remove all remaining Native Americans from the state.

Georgia Acquires Indian Lands After 1802, Georgia’s boundaries became like they are today. Lawmakers wanted control over all territory belonging to Georgia. Indians began to cede their land, and slowly moved out. 1794, Gen. Elijah Clarke creates independent government on Creek Indian lands. Federal troops sent in to force them to leave. Georgia abandons old headright system, land distributed equally through land lottery.

General Elijah Clarke

Land Lotteries No more 1,000 acre land grants issued. Land grant winners could not pick land. Surveyors divided land into square lots. State held a lottery,- drawing. Every white male U.S. citizen, lived in GA for 12 months, 21 years old, allowed to draw one chance. If he had a wife and child- two chances. GA distributed 30 million acres of land to 100,00 drawers.

Economic Growth in Georgia Indians move westward, GA population and economy grow. GA needed better way to distribute goods and move people. Government worked with business people to build transportation system. Cities and towns develop. Savannah River served as most important waterway linking the backcountry to the ocean port of Savannah.

1820’s, development of steamboats-fast and effective, could travel upstream with goods. Roads created to move goods east to west.

Reflection