Background Essay

1. Background Essay

2. Definitions for Background Essay • Buffer- a person or thing that shields and protects against annoyance, harm, hostile forces, etc. (lessens the impact of) • A protection against harm (person or thing) • Charter-a document, issued by a sovereign state, outlining the conditions under which a corporation, colony, or city is organized, and defining its rights and privileges. • Document issued by a government stating rules and freedoms of a colony or organization • Charity- generous actions or donations to aid the poor, ill, or helpless; Something given to a person in need. • Giving to those in need (monetary or action) • Paternalistic- the system or practice of managing or governing individuals, nations, etc., in the manner of a father dealing benevolently and often intrusively with his children. • Caring for as if a parent. • Fortifications- Military works constructed for the purpose of strengthening a position; A fort. • Building constructed to provide defense.

3. Background Essay Questions 1. What were some motivating factors behind the creation of the Georgia Colony? • To provide a place for the poor and debt ridden people to settle, to provide a defensive buffer for South Carolina, and to help England prosper 2. Who and where were three potential enemies who posed a threat to the Carolinas? • Spanish in Florida, The French in Louisiana, and along the Mississippi River, and the Indian allies of these nations. 3. Besides funding, what four powers did the king’s charter grant the 21 trustees over the new colony? • The trustees were granted the powers of a corporation: they could elect their own governing body, make land grants, and enact laws and taxes • Why did trustees make size limits on land holdings? • Since the colony was designed to benefit the poor, there was a 500-acre land limit placed on individual holdings.

4. Background Essay Questions • How was Georgia different than other English colonies already established? • They were not allowed to establish a representative assembly because the trustees did not trust the colonist make their own laws. • The settlement was laid out in compact, confined, and concentrated townships in order to enhance defense and for social control. • What four restriction were placed upon the colonists? • Those who had not paid for their land could not sell the land, or borrow money against it. • No rum • No Slavery • What were some of the policies that chafed (upset) some Georgia colonists? • Restrictions on land holdings, restrictions on land sales, prohibition against slavery, depriving settlers of self government and not having the rights of other Englishmen.

5. 8. Label the buckets with the THREE reasons for the establishment of the Georgia colony. Economy Charity Defense

6. Timeline 1732– King George II grants a charter giving the Trustees permission to establish Georgia Colony 1733 – February 12: James Oglethorpe and approximately 120 settlers arrive on the ship Ann, negotiate with Chief Tomochichi and begin to construct the settlement of Savannah. • July—42 Spanish/Portuguese Jews arrive in Savannah 1734 – The first group of Salzburgers arrive in Georgia 1736– 30 Highland Scots arrive in Georgia to help Oglethorpe establish Fort Frederica 1739– England declares war on Spain 1742– Oglethorpe leads the colonists to victory over the Spanish at the Battle of Bloody Marsh 1752– Trustee period ends and Georgia becomes a Royal Colony

7. Savannah: Utopia, or Epic Fail?Were the reasons for the settlement, as stated in the charter of 1732, a success or failure?

8. List of Documents • Document A: • Charter of Georgia: 1732 • Document B: • Ship Manifest: Georgia’s First Colonist • Document C: • Spanish Mission and English Fortification Map • Document D: • Colonial Coastal Fortifications • Document E: • Official Seal of Georgia • Document F: • Excerpt of Grievances

9. When I get to a Document: • Read the questions for that document • Read the source and notes • Look at the vocabulary hints • As you read, independently or collaboratively, mark your document with highlighter/pencil and make notes on the side -circle words you don’t know -underline/highlight important evidence that will help you answer the question -Put question marks beside statements in which you need clarification • After you have read the entire document, actively discuss with your group • Answer the questions, or complete the task to the best of your ability.

10. Document A Vocabulary • Defray - pay • Cultivating- farming • Desolate- isolated • Realms – kingdoms • Ravaged– wasted, destroyed • Calamities – mishaps • Detriment- disadvantage • Fortify- protect • Provisions- supplies

11. Document A Summaries Section One: • To help the poor subjects, but to also strengthen our colonies trade, navigation and wealth of our realms Section Two:Vocabulary and Tone • Savages (Indians) have laid waste and fire in great numbers and massacred our loving subjects. The crown will protect all loving subjects, even the meanest and most unfortunate in the regular colony of said poor people. Section Three: Vocabulary and Tone • Describes the level of defense- kill, slay, and destroy and conquer all by fitting ways…with their ships, arms, ammunition and other goods

12. Document B Document: -The List of Early Settlers of Georgia Source: -Primary or Secondary Author: -Notes by University of Georgia PressBias: -None

13. Document B Vocabulary 1. Midwife– person who assists in childbirth 2. slave sawyer – paid slaves who worked for a set period of time

14. Document B • List ten different occupations of the first of Georgia? • Silk maker, trader, gardener, carpenter, merchant, tailor, surgeon, upholsterer, farmer, stocking maker 2. Why did the Trustees specifically choose these artisan skills to create their Savannah settlement? • Skills need for survival and skills needed for the purposes of mercantilism These key trades were needed to support the stated purposes of the charter, including mercantilism, and get the colony established. (England learned from previously established colonies.) 3. What happened to many settlers? What reasons can you think of that might have led to their fates? • Many died and the clearing of a pine forest created a breeding ground for mosquitoes caused the spread of disease. 4. Why do you think there were many more settlers for whom the Trustees paid their way in comparison (received charity) to those who paid their own way? What does this tell you about the intentions of King George II or the 21 Trustees? • The trustees needed those skilled workers to establish the new colony. Most people wouldn’t go without the inclusion of their family.

15. Document C Document: -Spanish Missions and Fortifications Map Source: -Primary or Secondary Author: -Georgia New EncyclopediaBias: -None

17. Document C 4. How far is this new English settlement in regards to Spanish claim to the land? • 24 miles south of the Northern Line of Spanish Claim 5. How do you think the Spanish felt about the English encroaching on their claim? • Defensive/protective, angered 6. Why do you think this site was chosen? What message were the English trying to send to Spain? • To send a message to Spanish Florida that their “line of claim” is meaningless and England intends on settling where they choose. 7. Approximately how far away is Spain’s colonial capitol of St. Augustine from England’s Savannah settlement? • 145

18. Document D Document: -Colonial Coastal Fortifications Source: -Primary or Secondary Author: -Ramsey, William L. -New Georgia Encyclopedia Bias: -None

19. Document D Vocabulary • Philanthropic: charitable • Rhetoric: • Encroachments: advances • Fortifying: securing and protecting • Maritime: nautical   • Stipulated: stated/outlined   • Thwarted: disappointing, dissatisfying • Siege: take over • Garrison- barracks • Compelled: forced

20. Document D • How does the NGE article on Colonial Coastal Fortifications support the original purposes of the charter of 1732? Oglethorpe strengthened the defensive buffer by building forts along Georgia’s barrier islands, even intruding on Spanish lands. Fort St. Georges was built 35 miles from St. Augustine, but it was eventually abandoned. • What gains did England make in its military endeavors? They were able to hold off Spanish invasions, including the War of Jenkins Ear and the Battle of Bloody Marsh where Georgia soundly beat the Spanish. However, Georgia’s attempted invasions into Spanish Florida were NOT successful.

21. Document E Document: -Official Seal of the Colony of Georgia Source: -Primary or Secondary Author: -Wilson, Renate and David, Cowan I. -Georgia New EncyclopediaBias: -None

22. Document E Vocabulary 1. Cultivation: farming 2. Physic: appearance 3. Botanical: plant 4. Indigenous: native 5. Supplant: replace 6. Viniculture: the cultivation of grapevines for winemaking. 7. Fluctuations: variations, changes 8. Commodity: good, product

23. Document E • What is the economic policy/term that describes the process of a nation exporting more than it imports? How does the stated goal and motto of the Official Seal support this economic policy? • Mercantilism. “Not for themselves but for others.” The colony exists for the good of England, not for itself. Trustee Garden 2. What types of products were expected to be very profitable in the new colony of Georgia? • Georgia was expected to provide Mother England with silk, wine, and other products such as oranges, capers, cotton, olives 3. How does this article support England’s economic policy of mercantilism? • Indentured servants and colonists were to provide raw materials for goods to be further processed and consumed in England. These materials were to replace expensive imports from Spain and other Mediterranean areas. • Why was it thought that silk would be a successful crop in Georgia? • They believe Georgia’s climate was subtropical. (Georgia’s location is a similar latitude as where the industry was successful in Asia.) • Was silk production ever successful in Georgia? What evidence do you have for this? • Not long-term. Fluctuations in the climate and a lack of skilled labor in making silk keep it from being truly successful. Italians and locals couldn’t agree on how it should be made. However, the Salzburgers from Austria, had success in silk making. • By 1742- silk had become an important export commodity-By 1767- almost a ton of silk was exported to England each year. • After analyzing the seal, motto and reading about agriculture, which of the three reasons for the creation of Georgia do these components support? • Mercantilism

24. Document F Document: -Excerpt of Grievances Source: -Primary or Secondary Author: -Talifer, Patrick-A True and Historical Narrative of the Colony of Georgia Bias: -Yes

25. Document F Vocabulary • Endeavor – effort • Exhibit – show • Flattering – pleasing • Contradicting – opposing/opposite • Dispers’d – distributed • Genuine – honest • Chiefly – primarily or mainly • Remonstrated – argued • Neglecting – disregarding/avoiding • Liberal – ample/generous • Inclination – feelings/regard • Contempt – dislike • Ridicule – mockery/scorn