GA's Role in the American Revolution

Loyalist

a person who remains firm in their support for an established government, ruler, or political cause, especially during a time of revolt or upheaval.

Battle of Kettle Creek

a major American Revolutionary War engagement fought on February 14, 1779, in Wilkes County, Georgia.

Siege of Savannah

a failed joint military operation by American and French forces to retake the British-occupied city of Savannah, Georgia.

Austin Dabney

an enslaved African American soldier who fought against the British in the American Revolutionary War

Casimir Pulaski

a Polish nobleman, military commander, and American Revolutionary War hero widely celebrated as the “Father of the American Cavalry”.

Articles of Confederation

the first written constitution of the United States, in effect from March 1, 1781, until March 4, 1789

Weakness of the Articles of Confederation

The main weakness of the Articles of Confederation was that the central government had too little power to enforce laws, collect taxes, or regulate trade.

Why was the national government intentionally weak?

The national government under the Articles of Confederation was intentionally weak because the American colonists deeply feared a centralized tyranny like the British monarchy and parliamentary rule they had just fought a revolution to escape.

Why did the Articles lead to the Constitution?

The Articles of Confederation led to the U.S. Constitution because the first system created a central government that was too weak to manage the new nation effectively.

French and indian war

The French and Indian War (1754–1763) was a North American conflict between Great Britain and France, fought alongside their respective Indigenous allies, that ended French colonial rule in Canada.

Proclamation of 1763

The Proclamation of 1763 was a decree issued by King George III on October 7, 1763, that banned American colonists from settling on lands west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Stamp Act

The Stamp Act was a law passed by the British Parliament that forced American colonists to pay a direct tax on printed paper goods.

Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence is the historic founding document in which the 13 American colonies officially announced their freedom from Great Britain.

Why was Georgia slower to resist Great Britain?

Georgia was slower to resist Great Britain because it was the youngest, smallest, and most militarily vulnerable of the thirteen colonies, relying heavily on British support.