GA's Role in the American Revolution

Loyalist

An American colonist who supported the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War.

Battle of Kettle Creek

American Revolutionary War battle fought in Wilkes County, Georgia, on February 14, 1779. A Patriot militia force defeated a larger force of Loyalists, providing a key victory for the Revolutionaries in the Southern backcountry.

Siege of Savannah

a 1779 battle during the American Revolutionary War in which a combined Franco-American force unsuccessfully attempted to recapture Savannah, Georgia, from British control.

Austin Dabney

enslaved African American who fought as a Patriot militia soldier during the American Revolutionary War. He was severely wounded at the Battle of Kettle Creek and was later granted his freedom, a military pension, and a land grant by the state of Georgia in recognition of his bravery

Casimir Pulaski

a famous Polish soldier who had come to America to fight for freedom, died in a cavalry charge during the battle. Pulaski County was named for him.

Articles of Confederation

he first written constitution of the United States, in force from 1781 to 1789.

Weaneses of the Articles of Confederation

the central government had too little power to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate trade

Why was the national government intentionally weak?

Americans feared a tyrannical central power that would mimic the oppressive rule of Great Britain and King George III

Why did the Articles lead to the Constitution?

the original system created a central government that was too weak to manage the new nation's economy, debts, and security

French and indian war

a North American conflict fought from 1754 to 1763 between Great Britain and France

Proclamation of 1763

banned American colonists from settling on lands west of the Appalachian Mountains

Stamp Act

a direct tax imposed by the British Parliament on the American colonies that required many printed materials to be produced on stamped paper from London

Declaration of Independence

the historic founding document in which the thirteen American colonies formally announced their freedom from British rule on July 4, 1776

Why was Georgia slower to resist Great Britain?

it was the youngest, smallest, and most vulnerable of the thirteen colonies