Georgia and the American Experience Chapter 6: An Age of Expansion, 1783-1838 Study Presentation Mr. Smith’s Classes

Georgia and the American Experience Section 1: Creating A New Government Section 2: Land Fever in Georgia Section 3: Economic Growth in Georgia Section 4: Georgia At the Dawn of a New Century Section 5: The War of 1812 Section 6: Native Americans in Georgia

Section 1: Creating A New Government Essential Question What was Georgia’s role in the Constitutional Convention?

Section 1: Creating A New Government What words do I need to know? U.S. Constitution Bill of Rights General Assembly

Constitutional Convention of 1787 William Few and Abraham Baldwin represented Georgia at the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia; George Washington presided U.S. Constitution established three governmental branches: Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Senate and House of Representatives established; only three-fifths of slave population would count toward representation (Three-fifths Compromise)

The Three Branches of Government: Legislative - makes the law; Judicial – interprets the law; Executive – enforces the law.

Some laws are unusual! It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle. It is illegal to wear a fake mustache that causes laughter in church. The penalty for jumping off a building is death. Some laws are unusual!

Actual Questions Asked in Court Was it you or your brother that was killed in the war? The youngest son, the 20-year-old, how old is he? Were you alone or by yourself? Q: I show you exhibit 3 and ask you if you recognize that picture. A: That's me. Q: Were you present when that picture was taken? Q: Now, Mrs. Johnson, how was your first marriage terminated? A: By death. Q: And by whose death was it terminated? Q: Do you know how far pregnant you are now? A: I'll be three months on November 8. Q: Apparently, then, the date of conception was about August 8? A: Yes. Q: What were you doing at that time?

Cops during embarrassing moments

U.S. Constitution Ratified in 1788 Georgia was fourth state to ratify (approve) the new Constitution Constitution could be amended (changed); first 10 amendments became Bill of Rights George Washington became the first President

Postwar Georgia Economy in ruin; government provided food basics as farmers tried to reestablish their farms Capital moved to Augusta Georgia delegates met in 1788 and 1789; adopted state constitution similar to national government, with three branches General Assembly had two houses, Senate and House of Representatives; appointed governor and judges; controlled spending decisions

Section 2: Land Fever in Georgia Essential Question How did many Georgians obtain land in the twenty years following the end of the American Revolution?

Section 2: Land Fever in Georgia What words do I need to know? headright system Yazoo land fraud Louisiana Purchase

Headright System 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 This was generally replaced in 1803 by a land lottery for government-owned land west of the Oconee All white heads-of-household could buy a lottery chance and win land; millions of acres in several states were given away

Indian land in Georgia east of the Oconee River was given to white settlers.

Yazoo Land Fraud Around 1795, four companies bribed the governor, George Matthews, and legislators Bought millions of acres in western Georgia (today’s Alabama and Mississippi) for 1½¢ an acre 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

GA’s governor burning the deeds from the Yazoo Land Fraud.

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 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

In 1802, Georgia ceded (gave up) its land claims west of the Chattahoochee River to the federal government for $1.25 million.

The Lewis and Clark Expedition explored the new lands acquired in the Louisiana Purchase.

Sacagawea served as a guide for Lewis and Clark. National Geographic: Lewis & Clark is an informative web page detailing the journey of the Corps of Discovery.

Section 3: Economic Growth in Georgia ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did Georgia rebuild and expand its economy in the late 17th and early 18th century?

Section 3: Economic Growth in Georgia What words do I need to know? depression turnpike cotton gin mechanical reaper

Cotton and the Cotton Gin Eli Whitney invented a machine for separating cotton seeds from its fiber in 1793 at Savannah’s Mulberry Grove Plantation increased the amount cotton growers could process each day The gin used wire teeth on a turning cylinder to separate the seed from fiber He also pioneered mass production

Eli Whitney and his cotton gin (engine) Eli Whitney and his cotton gin (engine). It increased production from about a pound a day to as much as fifty pounds per day.

The introduction of Whitney’s cotton gin provides a graphic view of cause and effect. The gin caused slavery to become very profitable; the effect was increased political tension between the industrialized North and the agricultural South. Why had the North industrialized?

The Mechanical Reaper Cyrus McCormick invented a machine to cut grain in a field 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

Depression and the Panic of 1837 Many Georgia banks failed between 1837 and the early 1840s This happened during a depression (a sharp economic downturn) Many businesses 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

Early Roads in Georgia Railroads, most built after 1830, replaced horses, stagecoaches, and boats Most Georgia roads ran east to west; they were former Indian footpaths 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

The SS Savannah was the first steam-powered vessel to cross the Atlantic Ocean.

Terminus Located at the southern end of a rail line that originated in Chattanooga, Tennessee (Atlantic and Western Railroad) Later remained Marthasville, after the daughter of former Governor Wilson Lumpkin Marthasville became Atlanta, and the capital of Georgia Rail lines greatly reduced travel time for people and freight

Section 4: Georgia at the Dawn of a New Century ESSENTIAL QUESTION How did lifestyles differ in Georgia between frontier families and town dwellers?

Section 4: Georgia at the Dawn of a New Century What words do I need to know? pioneers frontier Georgia cultural refinements townsfolk

Frontier Georgia Undeveloped land in central and western Georgia Few settlers; much land given away in land lotteries Far-flung trading posts were only stores Danger often lurked from hostile attacks Social activities often centered around necessary work The country store became the center of activity; few luxuries were available

Life in Georgia’s Towns Cultural refinements (higher level living) set apart frontier and town lifestyles Newspapers, theater, and debate societies Fancy balls, barbecues, camp meetings, and horse racing Orphanages, hospitals, and facilities for people with special needs were operated

Religious Activities 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 Savannah had active Jewish synagogue 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

Education in Georgia The University of Georgia chartered in 1785 as nation’s first land-grant university; opened for classes in 1801 UGA was often called Franklin College in its early days By 1820, there were forty academies (schools) across the state; Richmond Academy (Augusta, 1783) is the first in GA Georgia Female College (later Wesleyan College) opened in 1836

Section 5: The War of 1812 ESSENTIAL QUESTION What were the causes of the War of 1812?

Section 5: The War of 1812 What words and people do I need to know? embargo President James Madison war hawks Treaty of Ghent

Unhappy with French and British Trade Policies Years of war between Great Britain and France prompted both countries to try to block U.S. trade with its enemy British ships made American sailors serve with the British Navy President Thomas Jefferson ordered an embargo in 1807 to stop trade with foreign countries; this proved disastrous to American shipping

The War Hawks Land-hungry Southerners and Westerners Believed British were stirring up the Indians in the western territories Argued for war against Great Britain Believed the British should be driven from Canada to eliminate the problems in the western territories President James Madison pushed Congress to declare war on Great Britain in 1812; the war declaration narrowly passed

War Breaks Out War lasted for two years; neither side gained advantage during first two years In 1814, British attacked and burned Washington, the young national capital British later attacked Baltimore harbor; “The Star Spangled Banner” written during The Battle of Fort McHenry The Battle of New Orleans, fought after the Treaty of Ghent ended the war, was a decisive American victory The war united the American states as one nation; Andrew Jackson became a national hero

At the Battle of New Orleans, the British lost more than 3,300 men to the American loss of 13. The battle was fought after the Treaty of Ghent ended the war.

War of 1812

The flag which flew over Ft. McHenry during the British bombardment. Francis Scott Key, composer of “The Star-spangled Banner.” NMAH | The Star-Spangled Banner: The Flag that Inspired the National Anthem

Section 6: Native Americans in Georgia ESSENTIAL QUESTION Why were the Indians removed from Georgia?

Section 6: Native Americans in Georgia What words do I need to know? syllabary Oconee War Treaty of New York Red Sticks White Sticks Treaty of Indian Springs Trail of Tears

Cherokee Culture Most advanced of Georgia’s tribes; learned quickly from white settlers Some, like Chief James Vann, lived in large houses 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 Government modeled on that of United States; capital at New Echota by 1825

New Echota, once the Cherokee capital, is today a state park.

Chief Vann House, Chatsworth, GA

Creek Indians 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 Land treaties were often broken 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 The Battle of Horseshoe Bend, in Alabama, ended the Creek War in 1814; Andrew Jackson led the U.S. troops 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

Creek Removal Treaty of Washington (1832) resulted in 5 million acres of Creek land ceded to the United States U.S. agreed to allow Creeks who wished to remain 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 The treaty was broken despite the fact that hundreds of Creeks fought with the U. S. in the Seminole War; by 1840, nearly all Creeks were forced to move west. Laws were passed which stripped all rights from those who remained.

The Trail of Tears Discovery of gold in north Georgia heightened demand for Cherokee land 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 In 1838, thousands of Cherokees were forcibly removed to Oklahoma; about 4,000 died from disease, exposure, or hunger 700 to 800 escaped and hid in the North Carolina mountains

Benjamin Parks discovered gold in GA during a deer hunting trip in 1829. Gold nuggets of various sizes.

This is a detail from an 1832 GA land lottery map of Cherokee lands in the vicinity of Rome, GA.

The first American gold rush in America took place in GA beginning in 1829. Hydraulic mining did terrible damage to the environment.

The town of Auraria became the first gold mining center in America.

The Cherokee were removed by land and water routes.

Cherokee on the trail to the Indian Territory (Oklahoma) Cherokee on the trail to the Indian Territory (Oklahoma). About 4,000 died on the trail; about 800 escaped and hid in the mountains of North Carolina.

Auraria died out when the county seat of Lumpkin County was established nearby at Dahlonega (‘yellow metal”). The town is a popular tourist attraction today.

Stamping mills were used to process large amounts of gold-bearing rock Stamping mills were used to process large amounts of gold-bearing rock. They were powered by water wheels.

The U S mint at Dahlonega The U S mint at Dahlonega. Coins minted there are today among the most valuable coins ever produced in America.

Native Americans at school, Carlisle, PA.