Georgia and the American Revolution

Standards: SS8H3 The student will analyze the role of Georgia in the American

Revolution.

Element: SS8H3.a Explain the immediate and long-term causes of the American

Revolution and their impact on Georgia; include the French and Indian War (i.e., Seven Years War), Proclamation of 1763, Stamp Act, Intolerable Acts, and the Declaration of Independence.

Element: SS8H3.b Analyze the significance of people and events in Georgia on the

Revolutionary War; include Loyalists, patriots, Elijah Clarke, Austin Dabney, Nancy Hart, Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, George Walton, Battle of Kettle Creek, and siege of Savannah.

What is a revolution?

• Merriam-Webster defines a revolution as the overthrow or renunciation of one government or ruler and the substitution of another by the governed

The French and Indian War

• From 1754 – 1763, the British (English) wanted the fertile land in the Ohio River Valley (French territory), and the French wanted access to the coastline (English territory). England won the war, but was also left with a huge debt.

• England thought that it would be a good idea to tax the English colonists living in America since they were still considered part of England

• The colonists were outraged; they felt that it was unfair for England to tax them, and at the same time, not provide them with representation in Parliament. (Taxation without Representation).

Proclamation of 1763

• After the French and Indian War, King George III issued the Proclamation of 1763, which forbade colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mts. It also moved Georgia’s southern boundary to the

St. Mary’s River. Colonists were furious that they could not settle

west of the Mts.

New Taxes and Unhappy Colonists

• In order to pay the debt from the French and Indian War, England forced the colonists to pay taxes on certain items. Also, the colonists didn’t have representation in Parliament.

Sugar Act (1762) – tax on sugar and molasses

Stamp Act (1765) – tax on all paper documents: wills, newspapers,

Legal documents, playing cards, dice, etc

Townshend Acts (1767) – tax on glass, lead, paper, paints, and tea

Cartoon on the Stamp Act – What items are being taxed?

The Boston Massacre – March 5, 1770

• British soldiers were sent to Boston.

• 400 angry colonists began to throw snow, ice, wood, and clubs at the soldiers.

• The soldiers, fearing for their lives fired into the crowd, killing five colonists.

• Was this a massacre or where the soldiers defending themselves? (Propaganda)

Boston Tea Party – December 16, 1773

• In 1773, Parliament passed the Tea Act – monopoly on tea.

• The colonists also had to pay a tax on the tea.

• The Sons of Liberty dumped several loads of tea into Boston harbor.

Punishment for the Tea Party – Intolerable Acts 1. Boston Port Bill

– The port of Boston would be closed until the colony could repay England for the tea

2. Massachusetts Govt. Act – There could be no meetings without the consent of the King and a member of

the government must be present

3. Administration of Justice Act– Allowed the trials of British Soldiers or Government Members accused of

committing crimes to be moved to another colony or England to ensure a fair trail

4. Quartering Act of 1775 – Required colonists to use their buildings and homes to house

British soldiers, and to provide food at their own expense.

“The Shot Heard ‘Round The World”

• Early on the morning of April 19, 1775, British soldiers were sent out from Boston to two destinations– Lexington, MA: To capture Samuel Adams & John Hancock

two Patriots who were stirring up the discontent– Concord, MA: To seize a large supply of gunpowder from the

colonists

• The plan was discovered and several men raced through the area warning the colonists that “The British are coming”– Paul Revere, William Dawes, Dr. Samuel Prescott and others

“The Shot….” continued• 70 colonial “Minutemen” met 240 British soldiers at Lexington and a

bullet was fired (not sure which side shot first)– 7 Patriots were killed

• The British soldiers retreated and headed for Concord– They were attacked by other members of the militia that had hidden

amongst the trees and began firing on the “Lobsterbacks”

• The British were shocked by the skills of the militia– 73 British soldiers were killed

– 174 were wounded

– 26 were missing in action (MIA)

• After this, there was no turning back!– In September of 1775, representatives from all of the colonies EXCEPT

GEORGIA met to discuss the situation (

What’s up with Georgia?

• The Georgia colony was the youngest colony (established 1732) and relied on England for supplies and protection.– This is why the colony did not send a

representative to the First Continental Congress

– The Georgia colonists liked Gov. James Wright and therefore had a good relationship with England

The Declaration of Independence – July 4, 1776

• After King George III refused to listen to the colonies, the second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence.

• This document, written by Thomas Jefferson, declared the thirteen colonies independent from British control. – Three parts:

• Statement of Individual Rights• List of grievances (problems) against King George III• Formal declaration of Independence from England

Declaration of Independence

• All men are created equal.

• Everyone is born with certain rights (life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness) that the govt. could not take away.

• The people could do away with the govt. if they did not approve of it.

Georgia’s Response to the Revolution

• Georgia had a great trading relationship with Great Britain, and was also a younger colony.

• Coastal Georgians where more likely to loyal to England. (Loyalists/Tories).

• Georgians living further from the coast where more likely to oppose England (Whigs/Patriots).

Georgia’s Signers of the Declaration of Independence

• Button Gwinnett, Lyman Hall, and George Walton.