A New State

POST-WAR CHANGES LAND Georgia loses western territories to U.S. – this land later becomes Alabama and Mississippi PEOPLE Between 1790 and 1840 Georgia’s population quadrupled First state-chartered institution of higher learning is created in 1785 – University of Georgia

Westward Expansion Western lands (lands between Ogeechee and Chattahoochee Rivers) belong to Creeks, Seminoles and Cherokees Native Americans are heavily indebted to white settlers due to poor trading practices Prior to American Revolution Creek and Cherokee gave up more than 2 million acres to settle debts

INCREASED POPULATION State officials encourage people to move to Georgia – Increased population means More representation in U.S. Congress More farms to produce more goods for increased wealth for state

YAZOO LAND FRAUD Worst political scandal in state’s history Land speculators bribe state legislators to pass a law allowing the sell of land still owned by Native Americans for a very low price to private companies that would hold onto it and sell it for a profit A new legislature repealed the law and burned it on the capital steps in Louisville Yazoo controversy ended with U.S. government buying the land and paying off land claims.

LAND LOTTERIES After settlement of the Yazoo Land Fraud, Georgia has much land to settle Officials decide to give land away through land lotteries Land divided into square lots all over state – Size of lots varied according to quality of land – Small lots in fertile piedmont and gold fields of north Georgia; large lots in pine barrens of south Georgia Every white male, 21 years of age and Georgia resident for 12 months received one chance to win, two if married with children Widows and orphan were also given a chance to draw

OTHER LAND DISTRIBUTION Headright System also used (different than system used prior to American Revolution) – 200 acres to head of family – 50 acres for every family member – 1,000 acre limit per family – Revolutionary War veterans received more acreage

GEORGIA’S CAPITAL Capital moves to stay in center of population Five cities have been home to Georgia’s capital – Savannah – Augusta – Louisville – Milledgeville – Atlanta

Indian Removal 1802 – U.S. Government buys lands west of Chattahoochee River and promises to remove all Native Americans from the state (Compact of 1802) Leads to conflict between Native Americans and white settlers (We will look at these conflicts over the next few days)

Baptist and Methodist Church Growth During the early 1800’s, Georgians were caught up in the Great Revival that crossed the nation. Religious revivals were popular especially among the Methodist and the Baptist denominations. Both religious are going to increase in numbers during this revival time. However, both denominations will split with their northern counterparts over the issue of slavery.