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This page tells about the history of the Georgia Colony.
Georgia Colony
The Georgia Colony was the last of the original 13 English colonies to be established. Founded in 1733 under the leadership of James Oglethorpe, Georgia was intended both as a fresh start for poor settlers and as a defensive buffer between the English colony of South Carolina and Spanish Florida.
Between Spanish and English Territory
Georgia was located between the English colony of South Carolina and Spanish Florida. Because both Britain and Spain claimed influence in the region, the area became an important military buffer zone. The borderlands were contested for years, and tensions between the English and Spanish remained a major concern during Georgia's early history.
A Refuge for the Poor
In 1732, James Oglethorpe and a group of trustees received a royal charter for the Province of Georgia, which was named in honor of King George II. Oglethorpe hoped the colony could provide new opportunities for poor English settlers while also strengthening Britain's southern frontier. In 1733, the first group of settlers arrived near present-day Savannah aboard the Anne. Georgia became the last of the original 13 English colonies established in North America.
Over time, settlers from several parts of Europe came to Georgia. Agriculture became increasingly important, and the colony eventually developed an economy based on crops and exports including rice and indigo.
Oglethorpe Defends Georgia from Spain
One of Georgia's original purposes was to protect Britain's southern colonies from Spanish Florida. During the War of Jenkins' Ear, Oglethorpe led an unsuccessful attack against St. Augustine in 1740. Two years later, Spanish forces launched an invasion of Georgia and landed on St. Simons Island. Oglethorpe's forces resisted the Spanish advance near Fort Frederica, and on July 7, 1742, British troops defeated Spanish forces in the fighting that became known as the Battle of Bloody Marsh. The Spanish withdrew soon afterward, and the battle helped secure Georgia under British control.
Why it mattered: Georgia helped strengthen Britain's southern frontier, and Oglethorpe's defense against the Spanish helped ensure that the colony remained under British control.
Georgia Colony Articles and Activities
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- History of Cotton in America Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Multiple Choice Questions - Online
- Georgia Colony Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Multiple Choice Questions - Printable
- Georgia Colony Reading Passage and Critical Thinking Multiple Choice Questions - Online
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