Georgia the 13 th Colony James Oglethorpe The Founding of
Georgia
Slide 2
Colonization of Ga. England 1 st claimed Ga. in 1663, but it
wasnt until 1717 that the British made plans to settle there. Sir
Robert Montgomery, a nobleman from Scotland, and 2 partners, poet
Aaron Hill and merchant Amos Kettleby, wanted to create a new
colony. Montgomerys dream was to have, the most delightful country
of the universe where coffee, tea, figs, olives, rice, almonds, and
silk would produce income for the British economy. He planned to
settle an area that was W of the Savannah River and ran to the
Altamaha River.
Slide 3
Colonization of Ga. Montgomerys plan seemed good but he didnt
have the cash to supply this dream. There were several other
attempts by other folks to settle the area but none were successful
until the 1720s when James Edward Oglethorpe began to talk of a
colony for the working poor.
Slide 4
James Oglethorpe James Oglethorpe was born in England in 1696.
At age 25, Oglethorpe was elected to Parliament and learned about
numerous problems facing his country. In 1722 there were a lot of
English citizens and not a whole lot of jobs. This made it hard for
the people to pay off the debts they owed to other people and to
financial institutions. Laws about debtors were strict and those
that couldnt pay went to jail. JEO believed that debtors shouldnt
go to jail. He worked and got 1,000s of debtors out of prison. One
of Oglethorpes friends, Robert Castell, was put in prison for being
a debtor (a person who owes someone money that they can not pay
back). Castell later died in prison. Oglethorpe and 20 other
influential men in Great Britain made a plan to create a colony for
the working poor (debtors). They envisioned a colony for people who
faced jail time for bad debts.
Slide 5
James Oglethorpe Debtors Prison- many prisons in England were
full of people who owed money. Some of Oglethorpes friends were in
debtors prison and had also died in prison.
Slide 6
James Edward Oglethorpe But just letting folks out of jail
didnt help them because there still were no jobs and they still
couldnt pay their debt. JEO, Lord John Percival, and 19 other men
outlined a plan that promised a fresh start in the New World to
unfortunate but worthy individuals They borrowed this plan from Dr.
Thomas Bray who thought that a colony should be formed for the
people that were in a lot of debt.
Slide 7
Reasons for Founding Georgia In the summer of 1730 JEO and 21
men asked King George the 2 nd for some land, Southwest of Carolina
for settling poor persons of London. Charter- written document by
the king granting certain rights For Oglethorpe this charter meant
to establish a colony. (Georgia) Oglethorpe and his friends saw the
colony serving several purposes.
Slide 8
Reasons for Founding Georgia Economic he convinced King George
II that the colony could produce goods like silk, cotton dyes, and
wine which England had to import from other countries. Protection
barrier- (Buffer Zone) Oglethorpe believed the new colony could be
a protective barrier against the Spanish. Charity- people in
debtors prison would have a place to go and work to pay debt.
Religion- an opportunity to spread the Protestant religion to the
Indians.
Slide 9
Its approved!!!!!! June 7, 1732 King George 2 nd granted a
charter making JEOs group of 21 trustees responsible for
establishing the colony of Georgia and for managing it for 21
years. Trustees- people who hold responsibility on behalf of
others. Charter- legal document that gives special rights and
privileges to the members and conditions listed in the document.
This charter gave JEO all those lands, Countries and Territories
between the Savannah and the Altamaha rivers extending westward to
the south seas (Pacific Ocean).
Slide 10
The Charter of 1732 Charter granted to Oglethorpe which
established the conditions under which the colony would be
established. The colony would be ruled by a group of trustees for
21 years.(people who hold responsibilities for others)
Slide 11
The Charter of 1732 Trustees could not own land, hold political
office or receive money for work. Catholics, black slaves, lawyers,
and liquor dealers were not permitted in the colony. Blacks were
not admitted so as not to introduce slavery to the colony. Liquor
dealers were excluded cause the trustees felt the people wouldnt
work if they had too much to drink. They wanted colonists to settle
their probs out of court and not involve lawyers. All authority
belonged to King George, trustees could make no laws. They worked
around some of the rules by not having a governor and by using
regulations -gov orders instead of laws.
Slide 12
Charter recap Limited the Trustees authority. Made them
managers for 21 years. They couldnt make any money off of the
colonization of Ga. Despite the limits, JEO and the Trustees were
excited and developed the Georgia Plan for Colonization.
Slide 13
Preparation for the Voyage Applicants were carefully
interviewed before being chosen for the trip. Must find people
willing to take the risk to go!! Sir Robert Montgomery called it,
The most delightful Country of the Universe. Debtors and former
prisoners didnt get to go, meaning the true reason for forming Ga.
had been forgotten. The chosen few that were debtors & former
prisoners were promised 50 acres, tools, and food for a year. Those
that could pay their way got 500 acres of land and permission to
take 10 indentured servants. No prisoners/debtors were ever
chosen.
Slide 14
Colonists in Georgia People selected for the trip to Georgia
were given several promises by England. 1. 50 acres of land 2.
tools to work the land 3. food to get them through the first
year
Slide 15
Requirements for Georgia Colonists Defend the colony They could
not sell their land given to them. They could not borrow money
against the land. They had to use certain portion of the land to
grow mulberry trees. (silk) Agree to obey all regulations put in
place by the trustees.
Slide 16
Arrival in Georgia November 17, 1732 btw 114-125 people left
London on the Ship Ann. Very crowded w/ all the people and
belongings. Only 2 deaths on the voyage 2 babies. Finally, got to
Port Royal S.C. on January 14, 1733. Oglethorpe begins searching
for a place to settle. He chooses a place 17 miles south of the
Savannah River called Yamacraw Bluff.
Slide 17
Not Ready to Settle Down Before Ann (the ship) could set
anchor, JEO had to make friends w/ the Yamacraw Indians and their
chief, Tomochichi. JEO needed an interpreter and went to a trading
post in the Yamacraw village that was operated by John Musgrove and
his wife Mary. Mary was part Native American/British and with her
help, JEO and Tomochichi had a close friendship until the chief
died in 1739. The passengers waited until JEO could find a good
place to settle.
Slide 18
Tomochichi and Mary Musgrove Oglethorpe befriended Tomochichi,
chief of the Yamacraw Indians. The Yamacraw Indians were struggling
to survive and had became dependent on European goods. Tomochichi
believed that befriending Oglethorpe would benefit his people and
form a new trading partnership. Tomochichi led the settlers to
Yamacraw Bluff overlooking the Savannah River. This became the
first settlement of the new Georgia colony. Mary Musgrove and her
husband John had created a trading post near the Yamacraw Bluff
where they would trade British goods to the Native Americans.
Tomochichi spoke very little English so Mary Musgrove served as the
interpreter between Oglethorpe and Tomochichi.
Slide 19
Chief Tomochichi Tomochichi was head of the local Creek Indian
tribe. Oglethorpe needed to make piece with the Indians to obtain
the land for the new settlement. Mary Musgrove and her husband
acted as interpreters for the two leaders. He and Oglethorpe became
good friends and worked together many years.
Slide 20
Now We are Ready!!!! On Feb. 12, 1733, Chief Tomochichi allowed
the passengers to settle on a sandy bluff overlooking the Savannah
River that was about 18 miles from the mouth. The settlement they
established was the 13 th English Colony.
Slide 21
Savannah Oglethorpe was given land by Tomochichi at Yamacraw
Bluff to build the settlement. Oglethorpe named the town Savannah.
The town was divided into square lots and each male was given 5
acres as a garden plot and on the edge of town 45 acres. Two forts
were also constructed to protect from Spanish and hostile Indians.
* read Oglethorpes journal on page 119
Slide 22
The Salzburgers, Highland Scots, malcontents, Spanish threats!
Trustee Period
Slide 23
Conditions in the Colony Georgias climate was extremely hot and
humid for the new colonists. Many became sick from a poor diet and
poor sanitation. Forty original settlers died in the first year. In
1733, 42 Jews were allowed to settle in Georgia, including a
much-needed doctor. Lucky for them Dr. Samuel Nunis arrived along
with other Jewish settlers.
Slide 24
The Salzburgers Arrive in GA The Salzburgers In 1734, a group
of German protestants from Salzburg arrived, and settled a town
called Ebenezer, about 25 miles from Savannah. Three years later
they moved to Red Bluff and settled New Ebenezer. Oglethorpe and
Chief Tomochichi returned from a trip to England in 1736 with 300
more settlers, including German protestants from Salzburg and
Saxony. Religious leaders John and Charles Wesley also arrived in
Georgia.
Slide 25
The Salzburgers The Salzburgers were German Lutherans trying to
escape Catholic persecution in their homeland. Oglethorpe gave them
land 25 miles from Savannah They called their settlement Ebenezer.
The location was close to a swamp and not good for farming.
Slide 26
New Ebenezer The colonists survived the hardship and moved
their town to a new site and called it New Ebenezer. Because they
spoke German, the colonists stayed separated from others. The
Salzburgers were hard workers and became some of the most
successful and productive citizens of the Georgia colony.
Salzburgers 1934
Slide 27
Highland Scots These new colonists were from Scotland. They
came to Georgia and settled in Darien, Georgia. The Scots became
close to the Native Americans because like the Indians, they
belonged to clans. The Scots were skilled, fierce warriors, who
wanted to protect the colony from the French to the west and the
Spanish to the South.
Slide 28
Oglethorpe Goes to England Oglethorpe wanted to improve on the
Georgia colony. He took Tomochichi on his voyage and introduced him
to King George. The Trustees and the King were happy with the
progress and Indian relations. As a result, more financial support
was given.
Slide 29
Rules of 1735 Slavery and rum had drifted into Georgia from
other colonies. Oglethorpe secured the official Rules of 1735 to
stop the spread of both. He blamed rum for much of the sickness
that had occurred and knew that slavery would result in idleness by
the colonists, creating large slave plantations.
Slide 30
The Malcontents Many of the settlers did not like the new Rules
of 1735. The most dividing issue was slavery. Many colonies,
including S. Carolina, used African and some Indian slaves. The
colonists who did not like the rules for Georgia were known as the
Malcontents.
Slide 31
The Malcontents South Carolina Model- Georgias neighbor allowed
slavery. They were able to grow large amounts of rice, cotton, and
tobacco. As a result South Carolinas economy was more successful
than Georgias. Why did Oglethorpe and the trustees not want
slavery? (No big plantations) Farmers would demand more land which
would spread them out making Georgia harder to defend. Slaves may
try and fight for the Spanish to gain freedom.
Slide 32
The Malcontents Salzburgers and Highland Scots supported
Oglethorpe. The Malcontents met and signed a petition to be able to
own more than 50 acres as well as sell their land and own slaves.
The Malcontents eventually moved to S. Carolina or other parts of
Georgia that could not be monitored by Oglethorpe.
Slide 33
Spanish Threat Read pages 124-127 Answer these questions 1. Why
was this conflict called The Battle of Jenkins Ear? 2. Why were the
Spanish angry? 3. How did Oglethorpe respond to Spanish aggression?
4. What battle helped secure the British frontier boundaries
against the Spanish? 5. Who helped Oglethorpe defeat the Spanish?
6. What was Oglethorpes secret plan to get rid of the Spanish?
Slide 34
Spanish Threat from Florida After the explorations of Hernando
DeSoto and other Spanish conquistadors, Florida was colonized by
Spain. The Spanish were interested in the land north of their
colony that later became Georgia. The British built Fort Frederica
in Georgia in an effort to protect the colony. Georgian soldiers
led an attack on St. Augustine, Florida in 1740. Two years later
the Spanish attacked Fort Frederica. The Battle of Bloody Marsh was
the main battle between British Georgia and Spanish Florida. James
Oglethorpe led the Georgia soldiers to victory (though he did not
capture St. Augustine) and Spain never again attacked a British
colony on the eastern coast.
Slide 35
Land, Slavery, Governors, Legislature Royal Period
Slide 36
Farwell to Oglethorpe 1730s the trustees in England sent
William Stephens to Georgia to act as the secretary to communicate
better. Oglethorpe was not happy. Georgia was divided into 2
counties with Stephens in charge of the northern county and
Savannah.
Slide 37
Farwell to Oglethorpe 1743 Oglethorpe goes back to England
never to return to Georgia. William Stephens becomes president of
the colony. Colonists began to ignore the rules of the trustees.
They could now sell and buy rum, own more land, females could be
heirs, sell and borrow against their land. 1750 slavery was
officially allowed. Rum
Slide 38
Slavery in Georgia As a result of slavery, plantations would
grow and become the foundation of Georgias economy. Rice became the
new cash crop for Georgia. (Crops raised in large amounts for lots
of money)
Slide 39
End of the Trustee Period and a Change in Government Georgia
became a Royal Colony when the Trustee Period ended in 1752.
Definition: Royal Colony Colony overseen by the crown of England.
The British Parliament had to pass a charter in order for Georgia
to become an official Royal Colony. This process took two years.
Georgia would not get its first official royal governor until 1754.
The government of Georgia would change drastically as the people,
under the leadership of the Royal Governors, would have to learn to
govern themselves.
Slide 40
Royal Colony Begins 1752 Georgia officially becomes a royal
colony. Royal Colony- Georgia under the direct control of the king
and not the trustees. 1754 John Reynolds becomes the first governor
of Georgia. Reynolds establishes a representative government and
has the most power in Georgia.
Slide 41
Royal Georgia Governor- the governor could decide when the
assembly would meet, land grants, negotiated with Indians, and was
commander of the Georgia militia(military force). Reynolds set up a
new government for Georgia called a bicameral assembly. Bicameral
Assembly- house and a governors council. Under the new royal
Georgia, slavery, land ownership, and all of the rules under the
trustee period were now allowed.
Slide 42
Week of _________Sept 1- Sept 5______________ Georgia Studies
Period __1-4___ Teacher: Duran Monday Standard Essential Question
Lesson Text Activity NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL NO SCHOOL
Tuesday Standard Essential Question Lesson Text Activity SSH2 The
student will analyze the colonial period in Georgia's history. Who
were the Malcontents? Ch 4: Section 4 1) Warm up 2) PPT 3) Primary
Documents in Groups Wednesday Standard Essential Question Lesson
Text Activity SSH2 The student will analyze the colonial period in
Georgia's history. Describe the Spanish threat in Georgia? Ch 4:
Section 4 1) Warm up 2) Readuing Activity 3) Group Discussion 4)
PPT 5) Primary Documents in Groups Thursday Standard Essential
Question Lesson Text Activity SSH2 The student will analyze the
colonial period in Georgia's history. How did Georgia develop as a
Royal Colony? Ch 4: Section 4 1) Warm up 2) PPT 3) Primary
Documents in Groups Friday Standard Essential Question Lesson Text
Activity SSH2 The student will analyze the colonial period in
Georgia's history. Analyze the impact of GA's first Governors? Ch
4: Section 4 1) Warm up 2) Socratic Seminar 3) Worksheets on GA's
first Governors
Slide 43
Three Royal Governors: John Reynolds John Reynolds Georgias
first royal governor. Governed from 1754 to 1757. Governor Reynolds
introduced the idea of self-government to the colonists and
assisted in the creation of a bicameral (two houses) legislature
and the creation of a court system. Eventually, due to a
disagreement between Governor Reynolds and the legislature the
legislature was sent home. Reynolds tried and failed to rule
Georgia himself. The British Parliament recalled Reynolds in 1757
and said that he was ineffective.
Slide 44
Three Royal Governors: Henry Ellis Henry Ellis Georgias second
royal governor. Governed from 1757-1760. Governor Ellis tried to
learn from the mistakes of John Reynolds. Ellis set up a budget and
regulated trade with the Native Americans. Henry Ellis also worked
to increase the size and productivity of the colony of Georgia. By
1759, the population of the colony had increased to over 10,000,
including 3,600 slaves. In 1759, Henry Ellis became ill and
returned to Great Britain. He was replaced as the governor of
Georgia in 1760.
Slide 45
Three Royal Governors: James Wright James Wright Georgias third
(and last) royal governor. Governed from 1760-1776. During Governor
Wrights term in office the size of Georgia increased. After the
French and Indian War ended in 1763, Georgia gained a large amount
of land. Governor Wright believed Georgia could be even more
profitable for England by allowing farmers (and their slaves) to
live and work on this land. James Wright continued to serve as the
Royal Governor of Georgia until the beginning of the American
Revolution.
Slide 46
The First Governors of Georgia 1 st John Reynolds was not very
popular with the colonists.(wasteful with money, appointed
unqualified people ect.) 2 nd Henry Ellis listened to the Ga.
Colonists, replaced unqualified people, tried to abolish slavery in
Ga. but failed, and established good relationship with the Creek. 3
rd James Wright was highly educated. Wanted more land, wealth and
people for Ga.
Slide 47
James Wright 1760 Wright gained more land for Georgia
stretching to the Miss. River, negotiated with Cherokee. (6 million
acres) Granted colonists right to own more land. Under Wrights
leadership Georgia adopted the South Carolina Model. Wright owned
20 plantations and 500 slaves. Wright had the biggest impact on
Georgia.
Slide 48
Land Ownership Settlers who came to colony of Georgia during
the Trustee Period were limited in the amount of land they could
own. People who came by way of the Trusts charity were limited to
50 acres of land. People who paid their way could have up to 500
acres of land. During the Trustee Period of Georgias history only
men could own or inherit land. Many colonists were angry about this
and wanted women to be able to own/inherit land. As Georgia
continued to develop as a Royal Colony citizens were given the
opportunity to purchase more land (and use slaves to work the land)
and women were allowed to inherit land.
Slide 49
Slavery During the beginning of the Trustee Period, Georgias
state law prohibited slavery (slavery was not allowed). Wealthy
colonists who could afford to buy enslaved people demanded to be
allowed to bring them to Georgia. Many farmers believed that in
order to compete with neighboring states (like South Carolina) they
had to be allowed to own slaves. Between 1750 and 1775, the number
of Africans living in slavery increased from 500 to 18,000. These
slaves had no rights, were not allowed to marry, were not allowed
to live where they wanted, and were not allowed to learn to read or
write. Slaves who broke these rules were punished, including
beatings, whippings, separation from friends and family, and even
death.