1. Georgia in 1776 About 1/3 of Georgians were Whigs
About 1/3 of Georgians were Tories
The rest remained neutral
From , the Whigs control Georgia’s government

2. Georgia’s Revolutionary War Government
Rules and Regulations – April 1776
Georgia’s first “constitution”
Temporary Constitution
Proclaimed popular sovereignty (government rests on the will of the people)

3. Declaration of Independence
All men are equal
Everyone is born with certain rights: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness
Government gets its power from the people
People can do away with the government when they no longer approve of it
Proclaimed “these United Colonies are…Free and Independent States”

4. Constitution of 1777
Separation of powers – power split between judicial, legislative and executive branches
Due to bad experiences with Royal Governors, governor had very little power
Unicameral legislature – House of Assembly
Had most power
Appointed governor and other officials
John Adam Treutlen named first Governor
Eight counties created to replace original colonial parishes

5. The British are Back 1778 the British decide to take back Georgia
December 1778 British Army arrives in Savannah from New York
After defeating patriot troops in Savannah, the British also take back Sunbury, Ebenezer and Augusta
By the end of January 1779, every important town in Georgia is in the hands of the British
Governor Wright returns to re-establish the Royal Government

6. Slaves and the Revolution
Slaves join the fighting
Some, such as Austin Dabney fight for the Patriots
Others, such as Quamino Dolly fight for the Tories
After recapture by the British, coastal areas become safe haven for escaped slaves
Question; Why would independence from England not be important to the slaves?

7. The War in Georgia The Battle of Kettle Creek
Early 1779 – Georgia Patriots led by Col. Elijah Clarke led an attack on a group of British loyalists in Wilkes County
The patriots win and capture ammunitions and supplies
Victory wins over many Georgians who had been “luke warm” in their support for independence

8. Siege of Savannah
Fall 1779 – patriots with the help of the French try to retake Savannah
French fleet lay siege to the city for three weeks
Count Casmir Pulaski, a Polish nobleman, leads a daring cavalry charge and end up dying
The British hold onto Savannah

9. End of the War for Georgia
1780 – British control most of Georgia – (the only one of the thirteen former colonies)
Whigs and Tories continue to fight in the backcountry
1782 – the British give up Georgia as the American troops march into Savannah
More than 2,000 Tories and their slaves leave the state
The American Revolution ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783.