Settling Georgia's Western Territory

Headright System: system under which land was granted to “heads of families” for a small fee. White men and war veterans were considered the head of the family. To get the land the men had to declare his honesty and integrity and pay a small filing fee. 200 acres + 50 additional acres per family member 1,000 acre limit. “Family members” included slaves. From the late 1780s through the 1790s the government raised the 1,000-acre limit several times.

HEADRIGHT SYSTEM FREE LAND TO ATTRACT PEOPLE REV WAR VETS GOT MORE COUNTIES TOOK OVER ROLE OF GIVING OUT LAND CORRUPTION RESULTED MUCH OF LAND E OF OCONEE RIVER GIVEN AWAY BY THIS SYSTEM

The Georgia government was not strong enough to defend its settlements in the western part of the state, what is now known as Alabama and Mississippi. January 1795: Governor George Matthews signed the Yazoo Act into law. The Yazoo Act allowed Georgia to sell its western land to private companies. In exchange for cheap land the companies could establish a presence to keep the frontier safe. Settlers would be more attracted to western Georgia if it was safe and had the jobs and products the companies offered.

1795 Yazoo Land Fraud Most widely known land fraud in United States history. Legislatures were bribed with stock in land companies and promised huge profits to vote for the Yazoo Act. Georgia sold over 35 million acres to four land companies for $500, ½ cents per acre. The companies divided the land into smaller portions and sold it to individuals. Companies could make a huge profit.

Yazoo Land Fraud or The Tale of the Rotten Realtors

Results Georgia Senator James Jackson noticed the Yazoo land sale was unfair and criminal. He wrote letters to the newspapers to inform Georgia residents and resigned his seat to return home to Georgia to reverse the sale. Residents were outraged by the corruption and protested in the streets and collected signatures for a petition that opposed the Yazoo land and sale. Some legislators fled for their lives, one was even hanged.

A New Georgia Government Many Yazoo legislators were not reelected. James Jackson was elected Governor of Georgia. The next time the General Assembly met, the Yazoo Act was repealed with the 1796 Rescinding Act. The act reversed the Yazoo land sale. Georgia gave up all Yazoo land to the US govt. (Much of the land that is not Alabama and Mississippi.) As part of the agreement the United States government promised to help remove the remaining Creek Indians from within Georgia's boundaries. All the Yazoo papers were publicly burned using a magnifying glass and sun rays.

The Compact of 1802 Georgia ceded all of its land involved in the land fraud. Essentially, Georgia's boundaries became the state's current boundaries-The Chattahoochee River became the western boundary The state received a clear title to all of the land. The United States agreed that northern Georgia belong to the state and Georgians demanded that Cherokee land be given to white settlers.

The Land Lottery System: System under which Georgians could purchase cheap land. This was called the Georgia Land Act of Land acquired from the Native Americans was divided into 200 – 500 acre lots. Lottery was held in the capital city of Milledgeville Applicants could be white males over 18, orphans, or widows. Two drums were used for the lottery: One containing names the other containing numbers and blank sheet of paper. The unlucky person who was matched with a blank ticket was said to “have drawn a blank”

Land Lottery System

LOUISIANA PURCHASE DOUBLED SIZE OF US PARTS OF S GA, FL, AL, LA, NE, IA ETC… OWNED BY SPAIN AT TIME SPAIN SOLD TO FRANCE- SECRET TREATY US BOUGHT FROM FRANCE.

The War of 1812 (Creek War) Congress declared war on Great Britain due to a pre-existing war between England and France that was affecting the states’ trade with France Our allies – Lower Creek England’s allies – Upper Creek

War Continued The Upper Creek (Red Sticks) fought against us and the Lower Creek Andrew Jackson defeated the Red Sticks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend Treaty of Fort Jackson forced ALL Creeks to give up their land in GA and Alabama

Continued Treaty of N.Y. was put in place by the national government to stop the fighting. Georgians ignored the treaty and the massacre of Native Americans and Georgians continued for several more years ?bctid= http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid ?bctid= (The Thirst for New Land- GA Stories)

North GA White settlers move north attracted by timber and other natural resources Gold is discovered in Dahlonega and Auraria ?bctid= http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid ?bctid= ( The Role of Coin and Currency- GA Stories )

GOLD 1828 GOLD DISCOVERED IN GA N- GA IN MOUNTAINS BROUGHT IN MANY PEOPLE SOUTH OF DAHLONEGA NAMED TOWN “AURARIA”- LATIN WORD FOR “CITY OF GOLD” (USED TO BE CALLED LICKLOG) 924http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid ?bctid= (America’s First Gold Rush- GA Stories)