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Georgia in 1776

Georgia in 1776. About 1/3 of Georgians were Whigs About 1/3 of Georgians were Tories The rest remained neutral From 1776-1778, the Whigs control Georgia’s government. Georgia’s Revolutionary War Government. Rules and Regulations – April 1776 Georgia’s first “constitution”

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Georgia in 1776

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  1. Georgia in 1776 • About 1/3 of Georgians were Whigs • About 1/3 of Georgians were Tories • The rest remained neutral • From 1776-1778, 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.

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