Georgia in 1776 About 1/3 of Georgians were Whigs About 1/3 of Georgians were Tories The rest remained neutral From 1776-1778, the Whigs control Georgia’s government

Georgia’s Revolutionary War Government Rules and Regulations – April 1776 Georgia’s first “constitution” Temporary Constitution Proclaimed popular sovereignty (government rests on the will of the people)

Declaration of Independence All men are equal Everyone is born with certain rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness Government gets its power from the people People can do away with the government when they no longer approve of it Proclaimed “these United Colonies are…Free and Independent States”

Constitution of 1777 Separation of powers – power split between judicial, legislative and executive branches Due to bad experiences with Royal Governors, governor had very little power Unicameral legislature – House of Assembly Had most power Appointed governor and other officials John Adam Treutlen named first Governor Eight counties created to replace original colonial parishes

The British are Back 1778 the British decide to take back Georgia December 1778 British Army arrives in Savannah from New York After defeating patriot troops in Savannah, the British also take back Sunbury, Ebenezer and Augusta By the end of January 1779, every important town in Georgia is in the hands of the British Governor Wright returns to re-establish the Royal Government

Slaves and the Revolution Slaves join the fighting Some, such as Austin Dabney fight for the Patriots Others, such as Quamino Dolly fight for the Tories After recapture by the British, coastal areas become safe haven for escaped slaves Question; Why would independence from England not be important to the slaves?

The War in Georgia The Battle of Kettle Creek Early 1779 – Georgia Patriots led by Col. Elijah Clarke led an attack on a group of British loyalists in Wilkes County The patriots win and capture ammunitions and supplies Victory wins over many Georgians who had been “luke warm” in their support for independence

Siege of Savannah Fall 1779 – patriots with the help of the French try to retake Savannah French fleet lay siege to the city for three weeks Count Casmir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, leads a daring cavalry charge and end up dying The British hold onto Savannah

End of the War for Georgia 1780 – British control most of Georgia – (the only one of the thirteen former colonies) Whigs and Tories continue to fight in the backcountry 1782 – the British give up Georgia as the American troops march into Savannah More than 2,000 Tories and their slaves leave the state The American Revolution ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.