Georgia History

Early Inhabitants and European Settlement

Indigenous peoples, including the Creek and Cherokee tribes, lived in the Georgia region for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The first European settlement, founded by the Spanish in 1566, was later abandoned. In 1732, James Oglethorpe established the colony of Georgia as a refuge for English debtors and as a buffer against Spanish territories in Florida.

Library of Congress video on the founding of Georgia (52 min.)

Colonial Era and Growth

In the 18th century, Georgia developed a slave-based agricultural economy. Though hesitant to support independence, Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution after the Revolutionary War. In 1793, Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin in Georgia, which greatly increased the demand for enslaved labor.

19th Century: Secession and Civil War

The 19th century brought major economic changes, including expanded cotton production and early industrialization. Georgia was one of the first states to secede from the Union. During the Civil War, it suffered severe destruction, especially during Sherman’s March to the Sea in 1864, when Atlanta was burned and Savannah was spared.

Battle of Chickamauga

The Battle of Chickamauga in northwest Georgia was one of the deadliest of the Civil War

Reconstruction and Modernization

After the war, Georgia faced hardship rebuilding its economy and government. Over time, the state industrialized, urbanized, and grew politically and economically. Atlanta became a hub of business and culture.

20th Century and Beyond

Civil Rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta in 1929. In 1996, Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics. Today, Georgia boasts a dynamic economy, major industries, cultural attractions, and the world’s busiest airport. Its history remains a central part of its identity.

Discussion Questions

  1. Why was Georgia originally founded as a colony, and what purpose did it serve for England?
  2. How did the invention of the cotton gin shape Georgia’s economy and society?
  3. What was the impact of Sherman’s March to the Sea on Georgia during the Civil War?
  4. How has Georgia’s economy and culture evolved since Reconstruction?

Glossary

  • Buffer Colony: A territory established to separate two hostile areas; Georgia separated English colonies from Spanish Florida.
  • Cotton Gin: A machine invented in 1793 that revolutionized cotton processing and expanded slavery.
  • Secession: The act of a state leaving the Union, as Georgia did before the Civil War.
  • Urbanization: The growth and development of cities, as seen in Georgia after the Civil War.

Georgia History Timeline

  • 1566 – Spanish establish first settlement in Georgia (later abandoned).
  • 1732 – Georgia colony founded by James Oglethorpe.
  • 1776 – Georgia joins the fight for independence.
  • 1788 – Georgia becomes the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution.
  • 1793 – Eli Whitney invents the cotton gin in Georgia.
  • 1820s–1830s – Cherokee removal and Trail of Tears.
  • 1861 – Georgia secedes from the Union and joins Confederacy.
  • 1864 – Sherman’s March to the Sea devastates Georgia.
  • 1870 – Georgia readmitted to the Union.
  • 1929 – Martin Luther King, Jr. born in Atlanta.
  • 1960s – Civil Rights Movement centers in Georgia.
  • 1996 – Summer Olympics held in Atlanta.
  • Present – Georgia becomes an economic hub with the world’s busiest airport.

Early Settlement and Colonial Growth

The Creek and Cherokee tribes lived in Georgia long before Europeans arrived. The Spanish built the first settlement in 1566, but it was abandoned. In 1732, James Oglethorpe founded Georgia as a refuge for debtors and a barrier against Spanish Florida. The colony’s economy grew on slave labor, and Georgia became the fourth state to ratify the U.S. Constitution. Eli Whitney’s invention of the cotton gin in 1793 increased cotton production and expanded slavery.

Civil War and Reconstruction

Georgia prospered in the 19th century with agriculture and industry but joined the Confederacy during the Civil War. In 1864, Sherman’s March to the Sea destroyed Atlanta and much of Georgia. After the war, the state rebuilt and industrialized, with Atlanta becoming a major city.

Modern Georgia

Martin Luther King, Jr. was born in Atlanta in 1929, making Georgia central to the Civil Rights Movement. In 1996, Atlanta hosted the Summer Olympics. Today, Georgia is an economic powerhouse, home to cultural landmarks and the world’s busiest airport.