GA's Role in the American Revolution

Loyalist

An American colonist who remained loyal to Great Britain and the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War.

Battle of Kettle Creek

A 1779 Revolutionary War battle in Georgia where Patriot militia defeated a larger Loyalist force, boosting morale and securing needed supplies.

Siege of Savannah

A 1779 battle in which combined French and Patriot forces failed to retake Savannah from British control, suffering heavy casualties.

Austin Dabney

An enslaved African American who fought at the Battle of Kettle Creek and became the only Black veteran awarded land by Georgia for his Revolutionary War service.

Casimir Pulaski

A Polish nobleman known as the 'Father of the American Cavalry' who was mortally wounded fighting for the Patriot cause at the Siege of Savannah.

Articles of Confederation

The first written constitution of the United States, creating a weak central government with sovereign power remaining mostly with the states.

Weakness of the Articles of Confederation

Key flaws including no power to tax, no national court system, no executive branch, no national military, and requirement of unanimous consent for amendments.

Why was the national government intentionally weak?

American leaders feared creating a strong central government that could become tyrannical like the British monarchy under King George III.

Why did the Articles lead to the Constitution?

The central government was too weak to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate trade, demonstrating the need for a stronger national system.

French and Indian War

A conflict (1754–1763) between Great Britain and France over North American territory; Britain won but incurred massive debt leading to colonial taxation.

Proclamation of 1763

An order by King George III forbidding colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid conflict with Native Americans.

Stamp Act

A 1765 British tax on paper goods in the colonies, triggering widespread anger and popularizing the slogan 'No taxation without representation.'

Declaration of Independence

A document adopted on July 4, 1776, formally announcing the 13 American colonies' separation from Great Britain.

Why was Georgia slower to resist Great Britain

As the youngest and poorest colony, Georgia relied heavily on British defense against Native Americans and financial assistance, and had a popular Royal Governor.