-- Unit to 1840 Growth and Prosperity

Some Background Tidbits! Population: The population of the US in 1790 was about 4 million. (There are over 311 million people today, 9.8 million in the state of Georgia.) A young factory worker of the time earned about $3.50 per week. A child working in the mills of New England earned 7-cents per day.

Homes in Georgia ranged from simple cabins

To plantation-style homes

Cotton clothing became popular after Moustaches became fashionable for men. In the cities, men continued to wear knee-high britches, white stockings, long-tailed coats, vests and shirts.

Women in the cities wore long gowns with three-quarter sleeves and low cut bodices. Obviously, those people in the backcountry wore much more modest, practical, and simple clothes!

A loaf of bread cost 3-cents. A dozen eggs cost 12 cents A pound of butter cost 14 cents And a whole chicken cost 14 cents

Art Portraits were popular. Two successful artists of the day were: Charles Peale and Ralph Earl

Transportation Most transportation for long distances was by stage coach. Stage coach roads crossed back and forth across the state. Most transportation for long distances was by stage coach. Stage coach roads crossed back and forth across the state.

This was a period in history when the nation was growing dramatically. This was a period in history when the nation was growing dramatically. As a result, many people were taken advantage of, and many were blessed, as they tried to make new lives. As a result, many people were taken advantage of, and many were blessed, as they tried to make new lives.

Georgia’s Growth In 1790, Georgia’s population was 82,548 In 1790, Georgia’s population was 82,548 Each dot represents 400 people. The un-shaded area is Native American territory.

In 10 years, the population almost doubled to 162,686. In 10 years, the population almost doubled to 162,686. Where does most of the new growth seem to be taking place? What might cause this?

By 1810, the population had grown to 252,433. By 1810, the population had grown to 252,433. Did the area around Savannah change much from 1790 to 1810?

By 1820, the population was 340,989. By 1820, the population was 340,989. The southern portion of the state had opened up, but no one seemed too anxious to move there. What may have discouraged them?

By 1830, Georgia’s population jumped to over half a million (516,823). By 1830, Georgia’s population jumped to over half a million (516,823). In 1829, gold was discovered in Cherokee Territory. Does the map indicate what might happen next?

By 1840, Georgia resembled the shape we now know, and the population had grown to 691,392. By 1840, Georgia resembled the shape we now know, and the population had grown to 691,392. By 1840, 41% of Georgia’s total population was made up of slaves. Does the map give clues to where Georgia’s cotton crops were grown?

Where did the Native Americans go? Before the American Revolution, many Native Americans went heavily into debt from dealing with shrewd white traders. To settle these debts, the Cherokees and Creeks ceded more than 2 million acres of land in Before the American Revolution, many Native Americans went heavily into debt from dealing with shrewd white traders. To settle these debts, the Cherokees and Creeks ceded more than 2 million acres of land in As more white settlers moved in, pressure was placed on the tribes to move further west. As more white settlers moved in, pressure was placed on the tribes to move further west.

Distributing the Land After the Indians cede the land, how should it be distributed? After the Indians cede the land, how should it be distributed? Sell it? (what are the benefits?) Sell it? (what are the benefits?) Give it away? (what are the benefits?) Give it away? (what are the benefits?)

The Headright System Under the headright system, each “head” of household had a “right” to a certain amount of land. Under the headright system, each “head” of household had a “right” to a certain amount of land. The head of a family was entitled to 200 acres of unclaimed land. The head of a family was entitled to 200 acres of unclaimed land. 50 additional acres were granted for each family member and slave. 50 additional acres were granted for each family member and slave. Up to 1000 acres could be held by one family. Up to 1000 acres could be held by one family.

The benefits of military service Under the headright system, veterans of the American Revolution received additional land to compensate them for their service to the country. Under the headright system, veterans of the American Revolution received additional land to compensate them for their service to the country. High ranking generals received an additional 1,955 acres. High ranking generals received an additional 1,955 acres. Privates received an additional 288 acres. Privates received an additional 288 acres.

Plats A plat is a map of a land lot. A plat is a map of a land lot. Plats of the headright days show that properties were a mix of irregular shapes. Plats of the headright days show that properties were a mix of irregular shapes. Who determined the shape of a headright’s land? Who determined the shape of a headright’s land?

Georgia’s Capital On the Move In 1733, Savannah became the official capital of Georgia. However, after the Revolutionary War, the General Assembly began meeting in Augusta? In 1733, Savannah became the official capital of Georgia. However, after the Revolutionary War, the General Assembly began meeting in Augusta? Why would they meet in Augusta? Why would they meet in Augusta?

In 1786, Augusta became the capital. In 1786, Augusta became the capital. As Geogia’s population spread westward the capital followed. In 1796, a site on the Ogeechee River was chosen, and Louisville became the capital. As Geogia’s population spread westward the capital followed. In 1796, a site on the Ogeechee River was chosen, and Louisville became the capital.

After only 11 years, the capital was moved again to a site on the Oconee River. Milledgeville would remain Georgia’s capital until After only 11 years, the capital was moved again to a site on the Oconee River. Milledgeville would remain Georgia’s capital until Why was it important to move the capital as the population moved? Why was it important to move the capital as the population moved?

Hypothetical Scenario Your family sees an ad in the paper advertising beachfront land for sale on an island on Georgia’s coast. The land is very inexpensive, so your family buys some land and moves to a beautiful barrier island, complete with wild horses and huge maritime forests. You build a dream home and plan your future there. Your family sees an ad in the paper advertising beachfront land for sale on an island on Georgia’s coast. The land is very inexpensive, so your family buys some land and moves to a beautiful barrier island, complete with wild horses and huge maritime forests. You build a dream home and plan your future there. Later, you find out that you can’t live there. You bought land on Cumberland Island, a protected seashore owned by the state of Georgia. Later, you find out that you can’t live there. You bought land on Cumberland Island, a protected seashore owned by the state of Georgia.

It turns out that a company bribed some of Georgia’s legislators to create paperwork, allowing the company to buy Cumberland Island for pennies an acre, then sell it to the citizens of Georgia for a higher price. The legislators would receive part of the profit, and the company would get very rich. It turns out that a company bribed some of Georgia’s legislators to create paperwork, allowing the company to buy Cumberland Island for pennies an acre, then sell it to the citizens of Georgia for a higher price. The legislators would receive part of the profit, and the company would get very rich. You are living on illegally purchased land. You are living on illegally purchased land. What do you do? What does the state of Georgia do? What do you do? What does the state of Georgia do?

The State’s Worst Political Scandal In 1795, the people of Georgia learned of a scandal that would be known as “Georgia’s worst political scandal” – the Yazoo Land Fraud. In 1795, the people of Georgia learned of a scandal that would be known as “Georgia’s worst political scandal” – the Yazoo Land Fraud. fraud (n.) -- A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain. A piece of trickery; a trick. fraud (n.) -- A deception deliberately practiced in order to secure unfair or unlawful gain. A piece of trickery; a trick.

Background The trouble started in the 1780’s when Georgia tried to sell some land on its western border to three companies, who, in turn wanted to sell the land to settlers at a higher price. The trouble started in the 1780’s when Georgia tried to sell some land on its western border to three companies, who, in turn wanted to sell the land to settlers at a higher price.

When someone buys land with the plan of selling it later at a higher price (and making a profit), it is called land speculation. When someone buys land with the plan of selling it later at a higher price (and making a profit), it is called land speculation. Land Speculation is perfectly legal, and in the late 1780’s it was extremely popular. Land Speculation is perfectly legal, and in the late 1780’s it was extremely popular. What might keep people from buying land along Georgia’s western edge? (Look at a map from 1790 or 1800 for a clue) What might keep people from buying land along Georgia’s western edge? (Look at a map from 1790 or 1800 for a clue)

Trouble In 1795, four companies bribed many members of the General Assembly to pass a special law. In 1795, four companies bribed many members of the General Assembly to pass a special law. This law allowed the companies to buy 35 million acres of land along the Yazoo River, in Georgia’s western frontier. This law allowed the companies to buy 35 million acres of land along the Yazoo River, in Georgia’s western frontier. Much of what is now Alabama and Mississippi was sold to these companies for less than 2-cents per acre! Much of what is now Alabama and Mississippi was sold to these companies for less than 2-cents per acre!

The bargain land was then sold to the public at a huge profit. Some of the land was sold to other companies, and some to innocent citizens who planned to move to the frontier. The bargain land was then sold to the public at a huge profit. Some of the land was sold to other companies, and some to innocent citizens who planned to move to the frontier. When people in Georgia heard of the land fraud, they demanded justice. Some legislators, fearing for their lives, fled the state. When people in Georgia heard of the land fraud, they demanded justice. Some legislators, fearing for their lives, fled the state. One legislator who vowed that he would repeal the act said he was “prepared to call out and shoot every person involved in passing the act.” One legislator who vowed that he would repeal the act said he was “prepared to call out and shoot every person involved in passing the act.”

Voters voted out the corrupt legislators and elected new ones to clean up the mess. Voters voted out the corrupt legislators and elected new ones to clean up the mess. All copies of the “Yazoo Act” (except one) were gathered in front of the capital on February 21, 1796 and “consumed by Holy Fire from Heaven.” (with the help of a magnifying glass) All copies of the “Yazoo Act” (except one) were gathered in front of the capital on February 21, 1796 and “consumed by Holy Fire from Heaven.” (with the help of a magnifying glass)

Aftermath Georgia asked the US Government to get involved. Georgia asked the US Government to get involved. The Georgia legislature offered to pay the settlers and companies for the land that they purchased. (But some didn’t want to leave!) The Georgia legislature offered to pay the settlers and companies for the land that they purchased. (But some didn’t want to leave!) Georgia agreed to cede the land to the United States (for $1.25 million) Georgia agreed to cede the land to the United States (for $1.25 million) The United States promised to remove all of the Indians so white settlers could move in. The United States promised to remove all of the Indians so white settlers could move in.

Those people who didn’t want to give up their land and settlements took the case to the U.S. Supreme court. Those people who didn’t want to give up their land and settlements took the case to the U.S. Supreme court. It was finally resolved in 1814 (19 years later) when the U.S. government took over the territory and paid the claims. It was finally resolved in 1814 (19 years later) when the U.S. government took over the territory and paid the claims. For decades afterwards, politicians used the government’s promise to remove the Indians as a political tool. For decades afterwards, politicians used the government’s promise to remove the Indians as a political tool. Part of Georgia’s old western frontier became the Mississippi Territory. Part of Georgia’s old western frontier became the Mississippi Territory.

Georgia gains land from the Creeks In 1802, fighting broke out between the Creek Indian tribe and white Georgians along the Oconee River. In 1802, fighting broke out between the Creek Indian tribe and white Georgians along the Oconee River. The Oconee River had been an agreed boundary, but whites wanted to move further west. The Oconee River had been an agreed boundary, but whites wanted to move further west.

In June, 1802, the Creeks signed a treaty ceding a stretch of land west of the Oconee River. Two years later, another treaty ceded all of the land all the way to the Ocmulgee River. In June, 1802, the Creeks signed a treaty ceding a stretch of land west of the Oconee River. Two years later, another treaty ceded all of the land all the way to the Ocmulgee River.

The Land Lottery With more land came a decision to change the way Georgians received land. The headright system granted land in odd shapes and was difficult to keep track of. Allowing land speculators to purchase land resulted in fraud, so a more “equal” method was created – the Land Lottery. With more land came a decision to change the way Georgians received land. The headright system granted land in odd shapes and was difficult to keep track of. Allowing land speculators to purchase land resulted in fraud, so a more “equal” method was created – the Land Lottery.

Under the land lottery, surveyors would divide the land into square-shaped lots. Under the land lottery, surveyors would divide the land into square-shaped lots. The lots were smaller than the headright system, to encourage more families to move into the land. The lots were smaller than the headright system, to encourage more families to move into the land. Lot sized varied depending on the quality of the land. Lot sized varied depending on the quality of the land. –In the Pine Barrens, lots were 490 acres each. –In the Piedmont, they were acres each. –Later, in the former Cherokee Territory, lots were 160 acres, and some that were known to contain gold were 40 acres.

The Drawing After the land was surveyed, the state held a lottery (or drawing). After the land was surveyed, the state held a lottery (or drawing). Every white male U.S. citizen who had lived in Georgia for 12 months and was at least 21 years old was allowed one chance. Every white male U.S. citizen who had lived in Georgia for 12 months and was at least 21 years old was allowed one chance. If he had a wife and child, he got two chances. If he had a wife and child, he got two chances. Widows and orphans also got chances. Widows and orphans also got chances.

People who wanted land would register at a county courthouse. People who wanted land would register at a county courthouse. Their names were sent to the state capitol where their names were written on tickets and placed in a barrel. Their names were sent to the state capitol where their names were written on tickets and placed in a barrel. In another barrel, tickets were numbered to represent each of the parcels of land. In another barrel, tickets were numbered to represent each of the parcels of land.

State officials would draw names and numbers from the barrels at the same time. State officials would draw names and numbers from the barrels at the same time. Those who received land were called “fortunate drawers.” Except for a recording fee of $4 for every 100 acres, it was absolutely free.

The first land lottery was held in The first land lottery was held in During the next 28 years, five more lotteries were held. During the next 28 years, five more lotteries were held. Under the lottery system, Georgia distributed about 30 million acres of land west of the Oconee River to more than 100,000 fortunate drawers. Under the lottery system, Georgia distributed about 30 million acres of land west of the Oconee River to more than 100,000 fortunate drawers. QUESTION: Which seems more fair, the headright system or the land lottery? Why? QUESTION: Which seems more fair, the headright system or the land lottery? Why?