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THE FOUNDING OF GEORGIAThe 13th colony in British North America

THE FIRST INVADERS:Spanish conquistadors searching for gold explored the southeast and southwest NA in the 16th century.Hernando Desoto led the unsuccessful expedition in the SE (1539-1542). Afterwards, the Spanish largely left NA to the British and French.

Reasons for English colonies: 1. Increase the power of the monarch

2. Mercantilism

3. Religious freedom of individuals persecuted in Catholic countriesBritish MercantilismMercantilism is an economic idea (policy) whereby a country tries to gain wealth by exporting more than the country imports. Mercantilism runs counter to the idea of free trade

British colonies provided Britain with raw materials Some of these materials were turned into manufactured goodsThese goods would be resold to the colonistsColonists were basically a captive marketDiscuss with your neighbor:Which modern countrys policies are often labeled mercantilist or neo-mercantilist?

What are some characteristics this country would have?

Jamestown: 1607The first permanent English settlement in NA. Formed as a joint-stock company the colony was poorly planned but did survive.

Question: How many years between the first and last English colonys settlement in NA?

Labor sources in the New WorldFree Labor: Many English immigrates came as free men and owned small farms (yeoman farmers). Unusual on this scale at that time.Indentured servants: Those who agreed to work for a number of years in exchange for passage to New World.Slavery: First African slaves arrive 1619. Soon becomes main agricultural labor source.James Oglethorpe : Founder of GeorgiaAristocratic English landownerWished to help the working poorEncouraged formation of 13th colonyLived at SavannahWon battle of Bloody MarshFriend of Tomochichis

Reasons for the Founding of the colony of GeorgiaCharity (philanthropy): Provide the worthy poor with a new start in life Mercantilism: Provide Britain with raw materials. Georgia was to provide silk (mulberry) and indigo (blue dye). Also grapes, hemp, and other crops.Defense: The new colony would be a defensive buffer between the Carolinas and Spanish Florida.Religion (not stated in charter): Provide religious sanctuary.The Trustee ArrangementA trustee is legally responsible for the welfare of another person or institution

Georgia was the only trustee colony in British NA

The trustees were a group of wealthy men in Britain in charge of oversight of Ga.s affairs (they were not paid)

Georgias Colonial CharterA charter is a document that states the purpose of the organization or provides for its legal statusKing George II signed in 1732Three reasons for colony stated in charter

Prohibitions, regulations and duties of Georgias colonistsGeorgia colony was Oglethorpe's utopian vision for a community of sober, hard working, socially responsible protestant Christians.

The colonists were discouraged from being profit-minded

Several groups of people were banned including lawyers

Catholics banned from colony

No hard liquorNo slaveryLimited land ownership (500 acres)Only male heirsNo sale of land

Colonists had to pledge to join militia to defend colony

Savannah was very unusual in that it was a pre-planned city. Most of the planning was done in England. The plan was very English with a number of town squares devoted to some special purpose. Have you ever been to the squares in Savannah?Life in colonial GeorgiaThe Anne landed at Yamacraw bluff in February 1733 after stopping off at Charleston.Weather was rough, conditions were hard.Within 6 months nearly 40% of colonists were dead.Lack of potable water was a big problem until a well was sunkOglethorpe lived with the colonists and endured their trials

Oglethorpe meets with Tomochichi:Mary Musgrove is at center

The Yamacraw Indians and the trader Mary Musgrove proved very important to the survival of the young colony.Question: What is a cultural liason?The Malcontent ImmigrantsJewish Immigrants: Arrived 1733 and eventually founded one of the oldest synagogues in NA Scotts at Darien: Very important as militiaSal burgers: Fled persecution in Catholic Austria and settled in Georgia (Picture:Lutheran Church at Ebenezer)

Battle of Bloody MarshIn 1742 General Oglethorpe led a group of soldiers, many of them Scottish immigrants, to victory over a small Spanish forceNear Fort Fredericka on St Simons islandBecause of terrain, battle gained its namePart of War of Jenkins Ear (1742-44)

What happened to trustee Georgia?Most colonists disliked colony regulations-particularly ban on slavery and landholding.In 1750 trustees lifted slavery ban to try to save colony.In 1752 trustees signed over control to British governmentThe noble experiment was over. Georgia was now a Royal colony.

Essential Questions or statements:How did economics influence the settling of North America?

If you had been a trustee, how would you have changed the regulations to provide more incentive for the colonists?List at least one positive and one negative outcome of the founding of Georgia.