Headright System Indian land in Georgia east of the Oconee River was given to settlers Indian land in Georgia east of the Oconee River was given to settlers Every white male counted as a head of household and had the “right” to receive up to 1,000 acres Every white male counted as a head of household and had the “right” to receive up to 1,000 acres This was generally replaced in 1803 by a land lottery for government-owned land west of the Oconee This was generally replaced in 1803 by a land lottery for government-owned land west of the Oconeeland lotteryland lottery All white heads-of-household could buy a lottery chance and win land; millions of acres in several states were given away All white heads-of-household could buy a lottery chance and win land; millions of acres in several states were given away

Yazoo Land Fraud Around 1795, four companies bribed the governor and legislators Around 1795, four companies bribed the governor and legislators Bought millions of acres in western Georgia (today’s Alabama and Mississippi) for 1½ ¢ an acre Bought millions of acres in western Georgia (today’s Alabama and Mississippi) for 1½ ¢ an acremillions of acres millions of acres The public found out and protested; the legislators involved were voted out of office The public found out and protested; the legislators involved were voted out of office General Assembly repealed the law approving the sale; the federal government paid more than $4 million to help Georgia settle Yazoo land claims General Assembly repealed the law approving the sale; the federal government paid more than $4 million to help Georgia settle Yazoo land claims

The Western Territory In 1802, Georgia ceded (gave up) its land claims west of the Chattahoochee River to the federal government for $1.25 million In 1802, Georgia ceded (gave up) its land claims west of the Chattahoochee River to the federal government for $1.25 million President Thomas Jefferson doubled the nation’s size in 1803 with the Louisiana territory purchase; the U.S. paid France $15 million for land that stretched to the Rocky Mountains President Thomas Jefferson doubled the nation’s size in 1803 with the Louisiana territory purchase; the U.S. paid France $15 million for land that stretched to the Rocky MountainsLouisiana territory purchaseLouisiana territory purchase Click to return to Table of Contents

Cotton and the Cotton Gin Eli Whitney in 1793 invented a machine for separating cotton seeds from its fiber Eli Whitney in 1793 invented a machine for separating cotton seeds from its fiber Eli Whitney Eli Whitney Increased the amount cotton growers could process each day Increased the amount cotton growers could process each day The gin used wire teeth on a turning cylinder to separate the seed from fiber The gin used wire teeth on a turning cylinder to separate the seed from fiber

The Mechanical Reaper Cyrus McCormick invented a machine to cut grain in a field Cyrus McCormick invented a machine to cut grain in a field Cyrus McCormick Cyrus McCormick Wooden paddles attached to a horse’s harness allowed six times more grain to be cut per day than previous methods Wooden paddles attached to a horse’s harness allowed six times more grain to be cut per day than previous methods Georgia farmers could work larger and more profitable farms with these agricultural machines Georgia farmers could work larger and more profitable farms with these agricultural machines

Depression and the Panic of 1837 Many Georgia banks failed between 1837 and the early 1840s Many Georgia banks failed between 1837 and the early 1840sbanks This happened during a depression (a sharp economic downturn) This happened during a depression (a sharp economic downturn) Many business failed; many farmers and planters lost their land Many business failed; many farmers and planters lost their land Many banks didn’t have enough cash to pay out money their depositors had entrusted to them Many banks didn’t have enough cash to pay out money their depositors had entrusted to them

Early Roads in Georgia Railroads, most built after 1830, replaced horses, stagecoaches, and boats Railroads, most built after 1830, replaced horses, stagecoaches, and boats Most Georgia roads ran east to west; they were former Indian footpaths Most Georgia roads ran east to west; they were former Indian footpaths Plank roads over wetlands that featured “pikes” or gates were called turnpikes Plank roads over wetlands that featured “pikes” or gates were called turnpikes Travelers paid a toll, or fee at each pike; the Old Federal Road connected Athens north to Tennessee Travelers paid a toll, or fee at each pike; the Old Federal Road connected Athens north to Tennessee Old Federal Road Old Federal Road

Terminus Located at the southern end of a rail line that originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee Located at the southern end of a rail line that originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee Later remained Marthasville, after the daughter of former Governor Wilson Lumpkin Later remained Marthasville, after the daughter of former Governor Wilson Lumpkin Marthasville became Atlanta, and the capital of Georgia Marthasville became Atlanta, and the capital of GeorgiaAtlanta Rail lines greatly reduced travel time for people and freight Rail lines greatly reduced travel time for people and freight Click to return to Table of Contents

Religious Activities Anglicans, Quakers, and Methodist circuit riders (traveling ministers for frontier dwellers) grew in number Anglicans, Quakers, and Methodist circuit riders (traveling ministers for frontier dwellers) grew in number Georgia’s first Roman Catholic Church established in Wilkes County in 1796 Georgia’s first Roman Catholic Church established in Wilkes County in 1796 Savannah had active Jewish synagogue Savannah had active Jewish synagogue As more towns were established, churches become central to community life As more towns were established, churches become central to community life In other parts of America, the Mormon church and the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) churches were started In other parts of America, the Mormon church and the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) churches were startedAfrican Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.)African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.)

Education in Georgia The University of Georgia chartered in 1785 as nation’s first land-grant university; opened for classes in 1801 The University of Georgia chartered in 1785 as nation’s first land-grant university; opened for classes in 1801University of Georgia University of Georgia UGA was often called Franklin College in its early days UGA was often called Franklin College in its early days By 1820, there were forty academies (schools) across the state By 1820, there were forty academies (schools) across the state Georgia Female College (later Wesleyan College) opened in 1836 Georgia Female College (later Wesleyan College) opened in 1836 Click to return to Table of Contents

Cherokee Culture Most advanced of Georgia’s tribes; learned quickly from white settlers Most advanced of Georgia’s tribes; learned quickly from white settlers Some, like Chief James Vann, lived in large houses Some, like Chief James Vann, lived in large houses Chief Vann encouraged Christianity Chief Vann encouraged Christianity Sequoyah developed a syllabary, a group of symbols that stand for whole syllables; it gave Cherokees a written form of their language Sequoyah developed a syllabary, a group of symbols that stand for whole syllables; it gave Cherokees a written form of their language Sequoyah Government modeled on that of United States; capital at New Echota by 1825 Government modeled on that of United States; capital at New Echota by 1825

Creek Indians Series of clashes between Creek and settlers who pushed into their land known as Oconee War Series of clashes between Creek and settlers who pushed into their land known as Oconee War Treaty of New York: Creeks give up all land east of the Oconee River, but could keep land on the west side; this angered Georgia settlers, who felt betrayed by their government Treaty of New York: Creeks give up all land east of the Oconee River, but could keep land on the west side; this angered Georgia settlers, who felt betrayed by their government Treaty of New York Treaty of New York Land treaties were often broken Land treaties were often broken Red Stick Creeks endorsed war to fight for their land claims; White Stick Creeks wanted peace Red Stick Creeks endorsed war to fight for their land claims; White Stick Creeks wanted peace

The Creek War Red Sticks attacked Fort Mims, killing more than 400 people Red Sticks attacked Fort Mims, killing more than 400 peopleFort MimsFort Mims The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, in Alabama, ended the Creek War in 1814; Andrew Jackson led the U.S. troops The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, in Alabama, ended the Creek War in 1814; Andrew Jackson led the U.S. troops The Battle of Horseshoe Bend The Battle of Horseshoe Bend The Creeks were forced to give up nearly all their land to the U.S. government The Creeks were forced to give up nearly all their land to the U.S. government The Treaty of Indian Springs gave up last Creek lands in Georgia to the U.S.; Chief William McIntosh was later murdered by rival Creeks for signing the treaty The Treaty of Indian Springs gave up last Creek lands in Georgia to the U.S.; Chief William McIntosh was later murdered by rival Creeks for signing the treaty

Creek Removal Treaty of Washington (1832) resulted in 5 million acres of Creek land ceded to the United States Treaty of Washington (1832) resulted in 5 million acres of Creek land ceded to the United States Treaty of Washington Treaty of Washington U.S. agreed to allow Creeks who wished to remain and live on 2 million of those acres; the U.S. promised to protect those who stayed U.S. agreed to allow Creeks who wished to remain and live on 2 million of those acres; the U.S. promised to protect those who stayed Those who didn’t wish to stay would have to move to the western territories Those who didn’t wish to stay would have to move to the western territories The treaty was broken; by 1840, nearly all Creeks were forced to move west The treaty was broken; by 1840, nearly all Creeks were forced to move west

The Trail of Tears Discovery of gold in north Georgia heightened demand for Cherokee land Discovery of gold in north Georgia heightened demand for Cherokee land Discovery of gold Discovery of gold The Supreme Court ruled that Cherokee territory was not subject to state law, but the ruling was not enforced The Supreme Court ruled that Cherokee territory was not subject to state law, but the ruling was not enforced Between 1832 and 1835, Cherokees were stripped of their land Between 1832 and 1835, Cherokees were stripped of their land In 1838, thousands of Cherokees were forcibly removed to Oklahoma; about 4,000 died from disease, exposure, or hunger In 1838, thousands of Cherokees were forcibly removed to Oklahoma; about 4,000 died from disease, exposure, or hunger forcibly removed to Oklahoma forcibly removed to Oklahoma 700 to 800 escaped and hid in the North Carolina mountains 700 to 800 escaped and hid in the North Carolina mountains Click to return to Table of Contents