From Royalty to Independence
Standards
 SS8H3 - I can analyze the role of Georgia in the
American Revolution
- French and Indian War
-Proclamation of 1763
-Stamp Act and the Intolerable Acts
-Declaration of Independence
-Battle of Kettle Creek
-Siege of Savannah
-Important People: loyalist, patriots, Elijah
Clarke, Austin Dabney, Nancy Hart, Button
Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton
Standards
 SS8H4 – I can describe the impact of events
that led to the ratification of the United
States Constitution and the Bill of Rights
-Georgia Constitution of 1777
-The Articles of Confederation
-Constitutional Convention of 1787
-Important People: Abraham Baldwin,
William Few
French and Indian War (7 Years War)
 Conflict between France and England for
control of Ohio River Valley (fur rich)
 British won – obtained Canada and all land
west of Mississippi
 GA’s borders extended to St. Mary’s River,
Mississippi River, and around Augusta
Proclamation of 1763
 Issued by King George III
 Forbade colonist from settling lands west of
Appalachian Mountains
 Many ignored this policy because they wanted
more land -- many were upset by this policy
 Colonists of GA were fine with proclamation
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Gave them more land and resources
They were a small colony and most colonist were on
the coast
Stamp Act
 Tax issued in 1765
 Put a direct tax on items that were
commonly used – newspapers, licenses, and
legal documents
 GA was the only colony to actually sell
stamps
 “Liberty Boys” was affiliated with Sons of
Liberty and they opposed the Stamp Act
Intolerable Acts
 Put in place because of the Boston Tea Party
 1. Port of Boston was closed
 2. Massachusetts colonists couldn’t hold town
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meetings unless authorized by the Royal Governor
3. Any British official that committed a capital crime
was sent back to England to stand trial
4. Quartering Act: forced citizens of Massachusetts to
house and feed British soldiers at the citizens’
expense (in Bill of Rights and was prohibited)
12 colonies sent reps to First Continental Congress
where members agreed to boycott of British goods
and have military support if needed
GA was the only colony that didn’t send a rep to the
First Continental Congress
Declaration of Independence
 Declared colonial independence from Great
Britain
 Adopted on July 4th, 1776 – drafted by Thomas
Jefferson
 Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, & George Walton
from GA signed the Declaration
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1. Preamble: explains natural rights & states reasons for
document
2. List of Grievances against King George
3. Actual Declaration of Independence – officially severed
ties from mother country
Elijah Clarke (1742 – 1799)
 Was a Lieutenant Colonel
 Joined militia when fighting broke in the
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colony
Led the patriots to victory at Battle of Kettle
Creek
1st colonial victory in GA during
Colonists took needed weapons and horses
from the British
Clarke County was named after him
Austin Dabney (1765-1830)
 Slave who fought under Elijah Clarke during
Battle of Kettle Creek
 Fought in place of his master
 Thought to be only African American in Kettle
Creek
 Was wounded in war, one of his fellow soldiers,
cared for him in his home
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Became good friends
Dabney worked for him even after he gained his freedom
Dabney gained freedom b/c his service in Kettle Creek
Gained 50 acres, $96 a month due to wound at K.C.
Dabney paid for Giles’ son to go to UGA
Nancy Hart
 GA patriot
 Most well known for capturing and killing
several loyalist soldiers
 6 foot tall, fiery red-haired and crossed
eyed “war-woman”
 Was a spy during the Revolution and is
rumored to have fought in Kettle Creek
 Hart County is named in her honor
Button Gwinnett (1735-1777)
 Born in England, moved to GA in 1765.
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Bought St. Catherine’s island
In 17776 he was selected to attend
Continental Congress
He strongly supported independence from
England
Instrumental in passage of Georgia
Constitution of 1777
Lachlan McIntosh challenged him to a
dual over politics in May of 1777, and
Gwinnett died.
Lyman Hall (1734-1790)
 Graduated from Yale University
 became an ordained minister but gave this up to
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practice medicine
Moved to GA in 1760
only GA rep in the 2nd Continental Congress in
1775
He participated in debates, but did not vote b/c
he did not represent the entire state
Once Gwinnett and Walton joined him, he voted
for independence & signed Declaration
Returned to GA and was elected Governor in
1783 and was instrumental in founding UGA
Hall County named in his honor
George Walton (1749?-1804)
Most politically successful of 3 GA signers
Moved to GA in 1769 from VA
Was a successful lawyer
Appointed as a rep to 2nd Continental Congress
and signed Declaration
 In GA militia, got captured by British. After
release, he was elected governor.
 1st term was short (2months), then he was
Chief Justice of Supreme Court, then he
served a 2nd term as governor, and finally a
superior court judge.
 Walton County is named in his honor
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Battle of Kettle Creek
 Raised morale of GA patriots
 Gave them much needed supplies, and set the
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stage for several victories in the south
Took place on February 14th, 1779
GA militia led by Elijah Clarke and Thomas
Dooly, attacked a camp of 600 British
Loyalist
Patriots were outnumbered, but they still
brought a huge victory to the patriot cause
Clarke and Dabney became GA heroes in this
battle
Siege of Savannah
 Savannah captured by British troops (Dec.1778) 
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lootings, murders, & burnings occurred
GA only Colony retaken by British
Sunbury port captured (1779)
Augusta attacked
Georgia militia not effective against well-trained
British troops
Governor Wright eventually returned from Great
Britain to govern Georgia
2 Georgia’s: Patriots held countryside; British
held Augusta and Savannah
Heroes: Count Casmir Pulaski (killed lead a
charge), and Sergeant William Jasper (killed
attacking a British position)
GA Constitution of 1777
 Similar to Articles of Confederation
 Based on the idealistic principals of the D.O.I
 Was not capable of meeting realistic needs of governing
a state
 Had 3 branches of government – most power held by
unicameral legislative branch
 Power of legislative branch: could appoint members of
both judicial and executive branch, including governor
 Governor had little power and was limited to a term limit
of 1 year
GA Constitution of 1777
 Freedoms offered by this constitution:
 Freedom of press
 Freedom of religion
 Trial by jury
 None of these freedoms could be ratified
 Was the states constitution for 12 years
 The 2nd constitution of GA (The Constitution of 1789)
was changed to model the U.S. Constitution
Articles of Confederation (AOC)
 America’s first constitution
 Was the constitution from 1776-1789
 Provided Americans with a weak central government
 Goal was to give power to the people
 AOC had too many limitations that hindered the smooth
functioning of the government
 Weaknesses: a strong legislative branch and no
executive or judicial branches, each state had its own
currency, all 13 states had to approve a law for it to pass,
one vote per state no matter the size of the state’s
population.
Articles of Confederation (AOC)
 Powers of National Government under AOC:
 Declare War
 Coin Money
 Establish Post Offices
 Send and Recall Ambassadors
 Powers National Government did not have under
AOC:
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Impose taxes to fund government
Could not regulate the trade of goods between the states
(states could put tariffs on each other)
Constitutional Convention of 1787
 Founders realized AOC was too weak to govern
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country
States were fighting over land and sea rights
National government could not raise money to
support itself, couldn’t maintain an Army or Navy or
roads and canals
All 13 states had to agree on any law to pass
legislation – difficult time passing laws
No separation of powers
Constitutional Convention of 1787
 Important leaders such as Alexander Hamilton,
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James Madison, George Washington, and Benjamin
Franklin knew the AOC had to change
All reps from 13 states met to change AOC
Created a new constitution that is still our
constitution today
Three-Fifths Compromise came from this (slaves)
Great Compromise came from this meeting –
created a bicameral legislature where each state had
2 members in the Senate but reps in the House of
Reps was based on states population
GA’s role at Constitutional Convention
Two important roles
1. Relentless support of slavery
They wanted to include slaves in the population count
This would eventually lead to the divide of the north and
south
 2. Abraham Baldwin: given credit for changing his vote
to side with the “small states” in the Congressional
representation debate
 This decision allowed for and against the Virginia Plan
and allowed for the Great Compromise.
 http://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/abraham_ba
ldwin
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Abraham Baldwin
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Native of Connecticut and was a graduate of Theology from Yale
Served as Chaplin in U.S. Army during American Revolution
Became a lawyer after the war
Moved to GA in 1784, sent to Constitutional Convention in 1787 and
signed the document.
In 1789 he served 5 terms as a U.S. Congressman, and 2 later terms
as a U.S Senator
Died in office in 1807
Most famous for his role in creation of UGA and being UGA’s first
president
Many buildings on UGA’s campus were modeled after buildings at
his alma mater, Yale
http://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/abraham_baldwin
William Few
 Was a soldier (fought in American Revolution), signer of
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U.S. Constitution, judge, and legislator for two states
Born in NC
Moved to GA in mid 1770’s
GA representative sent to Constitutional Convention and
had a successful political and private career
Served as one of the states senators, a state
representative, and a judge
Moved to NYC where he was park of NY legislature and a
bank president
In 1976, his remains were moved back to GA to honor
nations bicentennial
Standards
 SS8H5 – I can explain significant factors that affected the
development of Georgia as part of the growth of the United
States between 1789 and 1840.
-UGA
- Louisville
-Baptist and Methodist Churches
- Land Policies (headright system, land
lotteries, and
the Yazoo Land Fraud)
-Railroads
- Trail of Tears
-Dahlonega Gold Rush
-Worcester vs. Georgia
-Important People: Alexander McGillivray,
William McIntosh, John Ross, Andrew Jackson,
John Marshall
University of Georgia
 UGA was established on January 27, 1785, when Georgia’s General
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Assembly approved the charter.
UGA is America’s first publically supported institute of higher learning.
Abraham Baldwin, was chosen by Governor Lyman Hall to draft the charter
Baldwin was president of the University from 1785 until 1801.
UGA existed only on paper only until Sept. 1801
Franklin College (The 1st permanent building), did not open until 1806.
For many years, UGA had only one college (the College of Arts and Science)
and struggled with financial difficulties.
designated as a “land grant institution” under the Morill Act of 1872 and
expanded its size and academic reputation
UGA was the 1st public university chartered, University of NC actually held
classes first. Debate between the two about which one is the first state
sponsored university.
Louisville (Capital from 1796-1807)
 Was the 3rd state capital – in Jefferson County
 Named after French King Louis XVI for his support during the American
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Revolution,
Selected to be capital due to GA’s population center at the time – driven by
the state’s westward expansion
The state’s legislators hoped that the town would also serve as a trading
center due to its location on the Ogeechee River.
Once it was established, Louisville developed both socially and financially.
Capital ended here in 1807 due several factors: the malaria outbreaks that
occurred in the city every year, the difficulty of using the Ogeechee River as
a trade route, and most importantly, the continual Northwestern
movement of Georgia’s population.
Yazoo Land Act was set on fire here
**S.A.L.M.A. which stands for Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville,
and Atlanta. -- all the state capitals
Land Policies
 After American Revolution, GA gained access to land
from Native Americans who sided with British
 The land Georgia claimed stretched all the way to the
Mississippi River.
 Due to the ideas espoused by the Declaration of
Independence, Georgia’s political leadership agreed.
 3 ways to split up land
Headright System
 The first approach was called the headright system.
 GA gave thousands of acres of land to soldiers who
had fought during the Revolution.
 Example: Austin Dabney.
 Also, men who did not fight in the Revolution also
received free land.
 Heads of households (white men over the age of 21)
could receive up 200 acres of land. Those men who
had families or slaves received even more. This
system ended when there were too many people and
not enough land to offer.
Yazoo Act (1795)
 named after a river in the present state of Mississippi.
 sold much of the land that would become Alabama and Mississippi to four
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land companies for $500,000.
GA governor, George Mathews, singed it into law they found out that the
land companies bribed members of the GA General Assembly to sell land.
Almost immediately, Georgians protested the sale. The legislators chose to
continue with the arrangement.
One of GA’s U.S. senators, James Jackson, was so outraged he resigned
from his seat and returned to the state.
Once back, he and his political allies took control of the Georgia General
Assembly and nullified the Yazoo Act.
In 1802, Georgia let go of the land to the U.S. government for 1.25 million
dollars and the promise that the U.S. would hand over Indian land claims
in the state and remove the Creek Indians from Georgia.
The controversy surrounding the Yazoo Act is known as the Yazoo Land
Fraud.
Land Lottery System (1805-1833)
 Georgia had eight land lotteries.
 These lotteries gave the avg. GA citizen the
opportunity to gain a large amount of land for cheap
 To take part in a land lottery, a person would simply
have to submit their names to the state and pay for
ticket.
 On the day of the lottery, name was placed in one
drum and lot #’s were placed in another drum.
 Participants could have their name placed in the
drum more than once based on characteristics such
as their age, marital status, and war service.
Cotton Gin
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This helped the economy, but increased slavery
Eli Whitney came up with the idea for the cotton gin
Whitney moved to GA in 1793
At the time, tobacco,(one of Georgia’s most important crops) was destroying the
soil.
As an alternative to tobacco the state was looking for ways to make growing cotton
profitable.
Until the cotton gin, cotton was to be deseeded by hand.
Took farmers one day to clean one pound of cotton a day
Eli Whitney “invented” a machine that was capable of removing the seeds from up
to 50 pounds of cotton a day.
This led to westward expansion as farmers began to seek out land capable of
producing the crop.
Most of the cotton in the country was grown in the south
Two negative effects concerning the invention of the cotton gin:
1. South was dependent on one crop. It took the devastating effects of the Boll
Weevil to diversify much of the South's agricultural production.
2. Slavery increased because the cotton gin was so effective in what it did.
Railroads
 Many of Georgia’s cities and towns were created due to the railroad, including the
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city of Atlanta.
The first Georgia railroad was chartered in 1832.
It was created in part by businessmen in Athens, who needed a better way to
transport cotton to Augusta due to poor road conditions.
Georgia had the most miles of track in the Deep South.
The city of Atlanta was created as a railroad hub for the Western and Atlantic
Railroad.
This track ran from Chattanooga, Tennessee to a small hub called “Terminus,”
which means “end of the line.”
Later, two other railroad lines combined with this point, causing the city to grow
even more.
Terminus changed its name in 1843, to Marthasville, after the former governor
Wilson Lumpkin’s daughter.
Its name was changed again in 1845 to Atlanta, which many claim was simply a
feminization of the name Atlantic.
Due to the invention of the railroad, Atlanta became the first major American city to
be built on a location without a navigable river.
Creek Nation
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Confederation of several southeastern tribes
Most populous tribe in the state and had the most land
Was a major trading partner with the colony
Creeks intermarried with whites and whites became members of the tribe. Georgians
wanted Creeks to become members of plantation economy – but Creeks chose traditional
lifestyle.
Creeks opposed slavery and helped runaway slaves
Sided with English during the Revolution – caused a bad relationship with Georgians
Treaty of New York in 1790 - Creeks had to give up most of their land east of the
Ocmulgee river to the United States
Red Stick War – Civil war between the Creeks in 1813. Was named after the group of
Creeks who wanted to fight the White settlers who were intruding on their land (those
that did not want to fight were called White Sticks).
Red Stick War ended in a Creek defeat by future President Andrew Jackson at the Battle
of Horseshoe Bend, in present day Alabama.
Following this war, the Creek lost 22 million acres of land. In 1825, under the Treaty of
Indian Springs, a Creek Chief named William McIntosh signed away the remainder of
Creek land in Georgia after taking a bribe. McIntosh was later killed by the Creek Indians
for his actions.
Cherokee Nation
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Lived in North GA mountains
Trading partner with English – loyal to English though they traded with French too
Sided with British during Revolution – caused conflict with Creek and they fought
Americans
The hostilities continued until 1793.
Once peace was established, the Cherokee made several treaties with the United States
government, including one that led to the Federal Road being built through their land.
1820s: developed a written language, a written constitution, and a newspaper.
They invited Monrovian missionaries to set up schools and adopted an agricultural
system that included the use of slavery.
Once gold was discovered in 1828, the push for Cherokee removal west of the Mississippi
River became greater.
In 1832, the Cherokee won the Supreme Court case Worcester v. Georgia. This decision
should have protected the tribe from removal as it maintained that the Cherokee were an
independent nation and were not subject to Georgia law.
Treaty of New Echota – 1835 group of Cherokee signed this without permission from
the Cherokee government. Andrew Jackson also signed the treaty and Congress approved
it. In 1838, most of the Cherokee were forcefully removed from the state and suffered on
the Trail of Tears to Oklahoma.
Alexander McGillivray (1750-1793)
 Creek Chief who was of dual linage.
 His mother was a Creek Indian and his father was a Scottish trader
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(Scottish Highlanders) named Lachlan McGillivray.
Traditional English education and, due to his mother’s ancestry,
was also a leader in Creek society.
During the American Revolution, Alexander’s father remained loyal
to the crown and, as most Creeks, Alexander fought for England as
well.
He signed a treaty with Spain in 1784, which kept Georgia’s land
ambitions at bay.
He signed the Treaty of New York which created a treaty of
friendship between the United States and the Creek Nation. The
treaty also let go of Creek land to the U.S, in return the U.S
promised to honor the boundaries of the Creeks’ remaining lands.
After the treaty, McGillivray continued in his role at the Creeks’
national leader until his death near Pensacola, Florida in 1793.
Sequoyah (1770 – 1840)
 Was the nickname of George Gist and meant “little lame one”
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in Cherokee.
Sequoyah created the Cherokee Syllabary, the first written
language for a Native American tribe.
Cherokee mother and white father. Father was a soldier in
army during the Revolution
rejected white society and never learned English.
Impressed with the way that Whites could communicate over
long distances and in 1821, created the Syllabary.
After its creation, Sequoyah traveled throughout the entire
Cherokee Nation, including Georgia, to teach and promote the
use of the new written language. Within one generation of its
development, it was used by nearly all Cherokees.
William McIntosh (1778 – 1825)
 Creek chief with a Scottish father and Creek mother.
 McIntosh was also first cousins with Georgia’s governor George
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Troop
He sided with the U.S often, even during the Red Stick War.
Wanted to changed traditional Creek lifestyle by promoting the
move to agriculture and slaveholding.
owner of two plantations.
Second Treaty of Indian Springs (1825). McIntosh, along with
six other Creek chiefs, agreed to sell the remainder of Creek land in
Georgia, without the tribe’s consent, for $200,000.
McIntosh received extra cash for his personal lands in the treaty.
(He was bribed.)
Executed for taking this by fellow Creeks
On April 30, 1825, 200 Creek warriors carried out McIntosh’s
execution at his home by shooting and stabbing him repeatedly.
John Ross (1790 – 1866)
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Principal chief of the Cherokee Nation.
born in Alabama, family later moved to Georgia.
Of mixed heritage. Spoke English and practiced many European customs.
successful business - selling goods to the U.S. Government in Chattanooga, TN. He used
the profits he earned to buy a plantation and create a ferry business.
Became principal chief in 1827. Same time white GA’s were trying to remove the
Cherokee
When gold was discovered in Dahlonega in 1828, it all but assured that the Cherokee
would eventually be displaced.
Ross had faith in the U.S. Government would protect the most “civilized” tribe in the
Southeast.
Indian Removal Act (1830) it still appeared that the Cherokee would be able to stay in
Georgia when the Supreme Court ruled in their favor in Worcester vs. Georgia.
Ross continued to fight removal until 1838, when he negotiated a deal with the U.S. Gov’t
to pay for his moving expenses.
Ross’s wife died on Trail of Tears
Continued to serve as principal chief of the Cherokee in OK.
During the Civil War, Ross initially sided with the Confederacy, but soon supported the
Union. This caused a split between the Cherokee in O.K. with Ross remaining chief of
those Cherokee who supported the U.S . After the war, Ross became chief of the reunited
tribe and remained in this position until his death.
1st Period Quiz
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What did Sequoyah create?
What Native American group was in the Red Stick
War?
Define the headright system.
Who created the Cotton Gin?
Who led the Battle of Kettle Creek?
Bonus: Name the capitals of Georgia in order.
2nd Period Quiz
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5.
Who created the Syllabary?
Who was the 1st president of UGA?
Who created the Cotton Gin?
Define Headright System.
What Native American group was in the Red Stick
War?
Bonus: Who was the only slave in the Battle of Kettle
Creek?
3rd period Quiz
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5.
Who created the cotton gin?
Who created the Syllabary?
Who led the battle of Kettle Creek?
Which Indian group was in the Red Stick War?
Who was the 1st president of UGA?
Bonus: List the Capitals of Georgia in order.
4th Period Quiz
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5.
What did Sequoyah create?
Who was the only slave in the Battle of Kettle
Creek?
Define the headright system.
Who created the cotton gin?
Which Indian Group was in the Red Stick War?
Bonus: List the capitals of Georgia in order.
Dahlonega Gold Rush
 Legend: 1828 Benjamin Parks kicked a rock while deer
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hunting. Rock was a gold nugget. This led to Americas
first gold rush in Dahlonega
Whether legend is true or false, gold was discovered in
1828 while gold miners wanted Cherokee land for mining
and settled w/o permission
Land lottery in the region in 1832 even though Cherokees
still lived on the land
In 1838, Cherokees were removed – began Trail of Tears
Gold was plentiful for 2 decades, but became few and far
between after that
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Gold rush ended when 1 nugget was found in California
Worester vs. GA (1832)
 land mark court case that should’ve protected the Cherokee from removal
 Supreme Court decided the Cherokee Nation was sovereign and were
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subject to their own laws
Andrew Jackson went against the court case and removed the Cherokees
Missionaries, including Samuel Worcester, who were living among and
supporting the Cherokee were arrested (several times) for living amongst
the tribe without Georgia’s permission.
The state prosecuted the missionaries - sentenced them to 4 years of hard
labor in a Milledgeville prison.
Cherokee Nation hired lawyers to represent the missionaries to appeal their
sentencing.
Supreme Court ruled in their favor and Chief Justice John Marshall
sentenced legislators of Georgia for their actions.
President Jackson’s unwillingness to enforce the court’s decision, GA kept
the missionaries in prison
All Cherokees were eventually sent out of the state
Andrew Jackson and John Marshall
 Had opposite views
 Marshall was for missionaries and Cherokee
 Indian nations were “distinct, independent political communities retaining
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their original natural rights.”
Jackson said should be moved to Indian Territory.
Cherokees would have killed Jackson had they know how he would have
treated the Indians when he become President
Research says Jackson wanted to remove Native Americans because they
sided with British during wars against U.S
Others have said it was Jackson’s way of pacifying the Southern states after
his threat to invade South Carolina during the Nullification Crisis.
Some say Jackson was racist against Native Americans
Regardless, Jackson did not meet his Constitutional requirements as
President because he did not enforce the Supreme Court ruling in
Worcester vs. GA
When asked about his choice, Jackson is often quoted as saying “John
Marshall has made the decision, now let him enforce it.”
Trail of Tears
 1838 after court cases, petitions, treaties, President
Martin Van Buren ordered the U.S. Army to
forcefully remove the Cherokee from Georgia.
 General Winfield Scott the army rounded up as many
Cherokee as they could find and put them in
temporary stockades.
 Once they found as many Cherokees as they could,
they began the march to O.K. ,
 “Trail of Tears” due to the fact that the under
supplied Cherokee lost over 4,000 people to disease
and exposure.
Methodist and Baptist Churches
 founder of the Methodist church, John Wesley,
 Second Great Awakening (1790-1830) – when GA’s citizens
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began to identify themselves with the Methodist religion
During the same time period, the Baptist Church also dramatically
increased its numbers as well. By the 1830’s, these denominations
became the largest in the state.
Both religions were popular among working class, small towns, and
slaves
Both the Baptists and Methodists used revivals and camp
meetings to help increase their membership.
Camp meetings were all day affairs where towns people could
gather and worship, but also socialize with friends and family after
weeks of laboring on their farms.
The Methodist church also incorporated the use of circuit riders,
ministers who would ride from small town to small town and
preach.