1. Georgia During The American Revolution

2. Who was Who? The Colonists People who sided with the colonists were called Patriots. They were also called Whigs General George Washington led American forces against the British. The British People in the colonies who sided with the British were called Loyalists. They were also called Tories.

3. How did Georgians feel about the war? Georgians were divided three ways at the beginning of the Revolution: One third were Patriots or Whigs – They were strongly against British rule One third were Loyalists or Tories – They felt Georgia had prospered under Royal Governor James Wright – They felt Georgia still needed British support – They still felt close ties to relatives & friends in Britain One third were undecided

4. The Patriots Most of the Georgians who sided with the Patriots lived in the backcountry of Georgia away from cities. They were farmers who lived independently and provided for the needs of their families without British support.

5. The First Governor of the State of Georgia Savannah was the capital of Georgia before & during the Revolution and was an important port city. When the revolution first began, the Royal Governor of Georgia Sir James Wright was arrested by the Patriots, but he escaped. John Adam Treutlen was named the first governor of the State of Georgia. Soon the British re-took Savannah and Governor Wright returned.

6. The Siege of Savannah In 1779 the French came to the aid of the Americans to fight the British. The Patriots tried unsuccessfully to retake Savannah. During the battle a Polishman, Count Casimir Pulaski, who fought with the Americans was killed. This battle is important because the British held the port of Savannah until the end of the war.

7. The Battle of Kettle Creek Also in 1779, this battle was a Patriot Victory. Colonel Elijah Clarke led Patriot forces against the British at Kettle Creek in Northeast Georgia. The victory was important for many reasons: – The Patriots gained ammunition, arms, and horses – Many Georgians who were undecided joined the Patriots – The Tories were never again able to gain a large force in the backcountry of Georgia

8. Some Important Georgians Nancy Hart She and her family were Patriots living in the backcountry of Georgia. A Patriot by the name of John Dooley had been killed by a group of Tories. When that same group came to her house, she held them at gun-point until help arrived. Austin Dabney He was a “free man of color” He fought with the Patriots and was wounded at the Battle of Kettle Creek. After the war, he was given a land grant for his role in the war. He was one of the only men of color to receive such a grant during this time.

9. End of the Revolution In 1781, British General Cornwallis surrendered to General Washington and the Americans had won independence! Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown, Virginia The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783 which officially ended the war.

10. Problems for the New State of Georgia Spain had helped the Patriots during the war, so Florida was returned to Spain at the end of the Revolution. There was disagreement with Spain about the boundary between Georgia and Florida that lasted 12 years! Also, unfriendly Indians threatened settlers along Georgia’s western frontier.