Chapter 9 Georgia Studies 8 th Grade Mr. Wilson

Growth and Prosperity In 1790 the United States holds its first census. Population of the United States stands at 4 million. Population of Georgia is 82,000. Manifest Destiny- belief that the nation should extend from Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean People begin to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains

Georgia’s Boundaries As first created by Britain in 1732, Georgia’s boundaries extended from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean. After the French and Indian War, the Mississippi River became Georgia’s western boundary.

Religion Religion strongly influenced Georgia’s growth. Baptists, Methodists, Presbyterians are the main groups in Georgia. Bible Belt Revival- a meeting meant to interest people in religion. Revivals are popular in Georgia.

Education Improvements in Georgia’s educational system helped the growth of the state. University of Georgia is started by Abraham Baldwin. It is the first public university in the U.S. UGA holds its first classes in September of 1801.

Louisville In 1796, Georgia’s capital moves to Louisville.

Importance of Land LAND = $

Distributing Public Land Georgia state officials face the issue of how to distribute land. Headright system- head of a family was entitled to 200 acres of unclaimed land, plus 50 acres for each member of his family. Limit was 1,000 acres. Land lottery- a lottery system used to determine who could buy land.

Land Lottery Began in 1805 During the next 28 years, five more lotteries held. Georgia distributed a total of 30 million acres of land west of the Oconee River Requirements: had to be a white male, U.S. citizen, live in Georgia for 12 months, be at least 21 years old Widows and orphans could also participate.

Yazoo Land Fraud The Yazoo Land Fraud occurred in 1795 and was considered Georgia’s worst political scandal. Several land companies bought large portions of Georgia’s western territories for a low price, held it until prices rose, and then sold it to the public for large profits. The laws authorizing the land deal were repealed in 1796 by the General Assembly, but the issue was not fully resolved until it went before the Supreme Court in 1814.

Economic Growth During this period of Georgia’s history, technology advanced rapidly, changing the way Georgians did things. Development of roads, steamboats, and railroads. Towns begin to be built close to railroads. “Terminus” – Atlanta New machines: cotton gin, corn harvester, mechanical reaper.

Cotton Gin The cotton gin is a machine that separates seeds from cotton fiber. Invented by Eli Whitney Increases the demand for slavery throughout the southern U.S.

Indians in Georgia 2 primary groups: Creek and Cherokee Indians Georgia state leaders want to open unsettled land to white settlers, but the land is occupied by the Creek and Cherokee Indians. If Indians could be persuaded to leave, a land rush would follow, making Georgia’s population explode. Indians begin to cede (give up) land.