Georgia’s Beginnings The Making of a Royal Colony Georgia’s Beginnings The Makings of a Royal Colony Of the 13 original colonies, Georgia was the youngest. It was unique, for its original intention was to be a settlement for released debtors in need for work and a place to live. Georgia’s beginnings is a fascinating one, so let its history unfold as you read the pages below. Directions: This story is interactive; you will be using this booklet, along with a handout to complete this assignment, so make sure you follow directions carefully! Georgia was explored long ago….. Do you like adventure? If so, maybe you would have traveled with the many explorers hundreds of years ago, as they journeyed to unknown lands. Many explorers are famous now, such as Christopher Columbus for discovering Haiti and the Dominican Republic, and Juan Ponce de Leon, who landed in St. Augustine, Florida. Many countries, like Portugal, England, and France, raced to the New World. Do you know what European explorer first reached Georgia? If you said Hernando De Soto, you would be correct! He found the mighty Mississippi River and was even buried there! What could have motivated the explorers to risk their lives as they sailed across the seas? It was for gold, glory, and the spread of Christianity. Spain set up Spanish missions to try to convert the Indians to Christianity. Many of these missions were located along the Barrier Islands and the interior of Georgia, but the missions didn’t last long due to disease and attacks by the British, as well as Indian uprisings. Let’s turn our attention to land territories. Spain had accumulated quite a bit of land, from the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes, down the Mississippi, to the Gulf of Mexico. But England also had become quite successful in forming colonies along America’s eastern coast – 12 to be exact. First, study this map. Find the territories of France, Spain, and Great Britain. You should conclude that both France and Spain controlled vast amounts of territory in the New World. Page 2 of 11 Georgia Begins The year was 1732. England was now one of the most powerful and richest countries in the world! It had many things to be proud of; its literacy rates were improving and towns bustled with economic activity. But, look closer, what do you see in the picture? Do you see how crowded the streets were? Due to its increasing population, the streets were very crowded. There were homeless Englishmen, beggars, and peasants who couldn’t find work. Prisons were crowded as people were thrown in jail for not paying their debts. Reflect for a moment. If you were the king of England, how would you help resolve England’s problem? Be prepared to discuss your answer in class. There were people who wanted to help. James Oglethorpe, a member of the British Parliament, believed he had the answer! He was wealthy, and educated, but also cared deeply for those who were in trouble. Basing an idea from his experience with prison reform, he began to have a vision – a vision of a new colony in America, one that would welcome the poor and indebted (those who couldn’t pay their debts). Parliament must have agreed because a charter (a document) was granted, which gave Georgia the legal right to exist. How excited Oglethorpe must have been, for now he was heading to America to help form a colony south of the Carolina border, a colony that represented hope to those in need. It was all set! The date was June 20, 1732. Georgia, named after King George II had its official charter. It would be a trustee colony, led by 20 distinguished Englishmen instead of just one leader. It would be governed by England, and the trustees would oversee the colony for 21 years. These men sure did seem committed to making Georgia successful. Now, on your handout, define the Charter of 1732, including how it was set us as a trustee colony. Just think how unique Georgia would be! It would not even have a governor. Instead, the 20 trustees, including Oglethorpe, were in charge. That must have been some special group of men! Even though they could not own land, be given money for their work, or hold political office, they were still willing to leave England behind and travel to this new land. They knew they could not profit from the colony, but were only there to make it into a model society with no poverty, unemployment, or debtors who could not pay their bills! Reflect for a moment. What would be your idea of a model, perfect society? What would it look like? Explain on your handout. Page 3 of 11 There were 3 main reasons for Georgia’s colony: To help relieve poverty and unemployment (charity) in England, to provide resources for England’s growing economy (economics), and to act as a buffer for South Carolina from Spanish attacks in Florida (defense). What do you think of this? Would it be difficult to start a colony using prisoners and the unemployed? On your handout, write down 1 pro and 1 con for using the poor and indebted to start a colony. Let’s not forget religion as another reason, for it also played a part in the founding of Georgia, as England thought it would a good place for persecuted Protestants to go, where they could worship as they pleased. Let’s take a closer look at the Charter of 1732 for Georgia’s colony. It was a document that laid down the rules for living there. It would be controlled by King George II, James Oglethorpe, and 20 trustees. It included all land between Altamaha and Savannah Rivers to the South Seas (Pacific Ocean), to the Town of Savannah on Yamacraw Bluff. Let’s review the reasons why it was founded. It provided protection from Spanish, French, and Native Americans (defense). It also provided resources for Britain (economics) and a colony for the poor to live (charity). Great Britain practiced mercantilism, which meant it used its colonies to help grow the economy. This helped them export more products than they imported. Now, list the 3 reasons for the founding of Georgia, and then define Mercantilism. I bet the trustees from England were very excited to start this adventure and to show England that it could be successful. Study this map. What modern day states were part of Georgia’s original charter boundaries? Record it on your handout. Oglethorpe became the leader, and he is often referred to as the founder, even though he did not officially have the title. His dream was to form a colony for released debtors in prison, but it never came to be. Instead, 115 settlers were chosen for their skills needed in the colony, such as farmers, carpenters and bakers. They were given incentives such as 50 acres of land (500 acres if they paid their own way), one year’s supply of food, and agricultural supplies. No lawyers, blacks, liquor dealers, or Catholics could be a part of the colony. Guess who else was not included? Not one person from prison was one of the 114 settlers! I wonder what Oglethorpe thought of this? But, despite this fact, they headed toward America and arrived February, 1733. Based upon what you have read about Oglethorpe, how would you describe him? Using the correct box on your handout, define who he was, and then use 2 – 3 adjectives to describe his personality. Page 4 of 11 The new colonists must have been relieved to finally reach American soil. After stopping over at the Carolina colony, they then made their way to an area known as present day Savannah. This was the settlers’ new home! Look at this Georgia map to show where Savannah is located. On your own handout, write the location of Georgia’s colony. You have just landed in a strange, new land. You don’t know anything about the territory. Besides finding shelter, what would you need to do in order to increase your chances of survival? If you befriended the Indians in the area, it would certainly help your chances, right? Oglethorpe knew this and made sure he became acquainted with them. The Indians in the Savannah region were known as Yamacraws. They were a branch of the Creek Indians. Their chief was Tomochichi. There were also fur traders that lived nearby, John Musgrove, a Carolina trader, and his wife, Mary. Mary was part Creek Indian! Now, Oglethorpe had an interpreter. Mary acted as the liaison, a Savannah Colony diplomat between the Creeks and the British colonists, and when Oglethorpe requested land for a colony, Tomochichi agreed, as he had become dependent on fur trading with the English living in the Carolina colony. He was kind to the colonists and allowed Oglethorpe to settle on “Yamacraw Bluff”, in present day Savannah. Describe John & Mary Musgrove, on your handout, including their importance to the colony. Savannah would eventually become Georgia’s first capital city and it continues to play an important role in Georgia’s economic and political status even today! I’m not sure the Georgia colony would have survived without Chief Tomochichi. He and Oglethorpe became good friends. Look at all of the things that the chief helped Oglethorpe accomplish: Secured land between the Savannah and Altamaha Rivers Advised Oglethorpe on Indian affairs and relations with other tribes Helped fight against the Spanish in the Battle of Bloody Marsh in 1742 Accompanied Oglethorpe to England and was well liked Reflect for a moment.