Social Studies Test

Sovereign

A ruler or monarch possessing supreme, absolute political power or independent authority over a state or colony.

Buffer

A protective zone or colony established between two hostile powers to reduce the possibility of conflict (e.g., Georgia acting as a buffer between South Carolina and Spanish Florida).

Malcontent

A person who is chronically dissatisfied and rebellious; historically, the group of Georgia colonists who objected to the Trustees' strict rules on land, slaves, and rum.

Charity

The voluntary giving of help, money, or resources to those in need; a founding principle of the Georgia colony to help the "worthy poor."

Provision

A legal clause or condition within a document; alternatively, a supply of food, food clothing, or necessary stores required for survival in a new colony.

Bluff

A steep, high bank or cliff overlooking a body of water; historically, Yamacraw Bluff was the high ground where James Oglethorpe founded Savannah.

Protestant

A member or follower of any of the Western Christian churches that are separate from the Roman Catholic Church, following the principles of the Reformation.

Catholic

A member of the Roman Catholic Church; historically excluded from early colonies like Georgia due to fear of their loyalty to Spanish Florida.

Proprietary Colony

A colony granted by a monarch to an individual or a small group (proprietors) who held full governing rights.

Indigo

A plant native to tropical regions that produces a valuable deep blue dye; a major cash crop in the Southern colonies.

Defence

The act of protecting or defending against attack; a primary military reason for establishing frontier colonies.

Trustee

An individual or group entrusted with the management of property or administration of an organization; the 21 men who managed early Georgia.

Charter

A formal written document from a monarch granting specific rights, power, and land to a person or corporation to establish a colony.

Mission

A settlement founded by religious organizations to spread Christianity and European culture to Native Americans.

Militia

A military force composed of ordinary citizens raised from the civil population to supplement a regular army during emergencies.

Colony

A territory settled and controlled by a distant parent country to expand trade, wealth, and power.

Mercantilism

An economic system where colonies exist to enrich the mother country by exporting raw materials and buying manufactured goods.

Indentured Servant

A person under contract to work without pay for a specific number of years in exchange for free passage to the New World.

Slave

A person legally owned by another as property, forced into hard labor, and completely stripped of personal freedom.

Garrison

A permanent military post or the specific troops stationed at a fort to protect a town or region.

Debtor

A person who owes money to a creditor; early Georgia was originally envisioned as a haven where they could work off their debts.

Debt

An obligation or sum of money that is owed or due to be paid back to another party.

Royal Colony

A colony ruled directly by the British monarch through an appointed royal governor, rather than by trustees or proprietors.

Persecution

The systematic mistreatment, hostility, or unfair punishment of an individual or group, typically based on religious beliefs or race.

Export

A commodity, raw material, or finished good produced in one country and sold to another country.

Import

A good, service, or raw material brought into a country or colony from abroad for sale or use.

Why did Hernando DeSoto want to explore North America?

Gold (Europeans sought God, Gold, and Glory)

What native tribe did Hernando DeSoto encounter when he arrived?

The Mississippians

How did the Mississippian tribe live?

Housing: "wattle and daub" (mud & sticks) circular houses. Food: Agriculture/farming (beans, corn, squash). Economics: Chiefdoms traded with each other. Government: Chiefdoms ruled by a chief priest.

Who was Hernando DeSoto and what impact did he have in Georgia?

He was a Spanish Conquistador who exposed Native Americans to European diseases, which killed most of the native population.

Who was Tomochichi?

The Yamacraw chief who granted Oglethorpe permission to land on Yamacraw Bluff, creating peace between natives and settlers so they could build Savannah.

What role did Tomochichi play in the establishment of Georgia?

He granted the land below Yamacraw Bluff to Oglethorpe to settle (present-day Savannah), ensuring peaceful coexistence.

Who was Mary Musgrove?

A member of the Muscogee Creek Tribe who ran a trading post and served as a translator for Oglethorpe and Tomochichi because she spoke both Yamacraw and English.

What role did Mary Musgrove play in the establishment of Georgia?

As a translator and interpreter, she achieved clear communication between Tomochichi and Oglethorpe.

What were the 3 reasons for establishing the Georgia colony?

Charity, Defense, and Economics

How was the Charity reason for establishing Georgia accomplished?

It provided a place for the hard-working poor and persecuted; "Charity colonists" had their tickets paid, receiving 50 acres of land, tools, food, and necessities.

How was the Defense reason for establishing Georgia accomplished?

It served as a buffer to protect South Carolina from Spanish forces stationed in Florida.

How was the Economics reason for establishing Georgia accomplished?

Georgia acted as a source of raw materials for England under mercantilism, helping England export more goods than it imported for a favorable trade balance.

What was the motto of the colony of Georgia and what did it mean?

"Non Sibi Sed Allis" meaning "Not for Ourselves but for Others." It meant colonists would work together for the good of the colony.

What restrictions did the trustees place on the colonists?

Land limits (max 50 acres for charity colonists, 500 acres if you paid your way), land could not be sold, women could not inherit land, no slavery, no liquor, no Catholics, and no lawyers.

What were Georgia colonists required to grow?

Mulberry trees for silk production. They also had to obey trustees and produce raw materials.

Which restriction did the colonists disagree with the most and why?

The ban on slavery. Georgians wanted larger farms/plantations to make more money. These unhappy colonists were called Malcontents.

What were the Georgia trustees allowed to do?

Make rules, decisions, and regulations; establish courts; maintain military defense; and hire employees.

What were the Georgia trustees NOT allowed to do?

Own land, hold political office, or make any kind of profit from the colony.

Where did the Salzburgers settle and why did they come to Georgia?

They settled in Ebenezer (then moved to New Ebenezer for better soil for silk production) to escape Catholic religious persecution in Austria. They were allowed to stay because they were hard-working silk makers.

Where did the Highland Scots settle and why did they come to Georgia?

They settled in Darien. They were invited and given land to serve as fierce fighters to protect the colony from Spanish invasion from Florida.

Where did the Jews settle and why did they come to Georgia?

They settled in Savannah after escaping the Spanish Inquisition. They were allowed to stay because their doctor, Dr. Nunez, saved the colony from a deadly yellow fever outbreak.

What 4 groups or things were strictly forbidden in the colony during the Trustee Period?

Catholics, Lawyers, Liquor, and Slavery

What were the original boundaries of Georgia according to the Charter of 1732?

The northeastern boundary was the Savannah River, the southern boundary was the Altamaha River, and the western boundary was the Pacific Ocean.

What started the War of Jenkins' Ear?

Spanish and English ships were raiding one another, and English Captain Robert Jenkins had his ear cut off by a Spanish captain.

What is the historical significance of the Battle of Bloody Marsh?

The British won this battle near Fort Frederica, ensuring the Spanish never invaded Georgia again and making the southern border safe.

Why did Georgia transition from a Proprietary (Trustee) Colony to a Royal Colony?

The Trustee colony failed to meet its goal of a shared community; the economy was failing, and colonists were highly unhappy with restrictions on land and slavery.

Who was John Reynolds (1st Royal Governor) and why did he leave Georgia?

He left because he was angry with the colonists. He is noted for creating Georgia's first bicameral legislature.

Who was Henry Ellis (2nd Royal Governor) and why did he leave Georgia?

He left because he fell ill and could not handle the heat and humidity. He was responsible for major economic gains, population growth, and creating 8 parishes.

Who was James Wright (3rd Royal Governor) and why did he leave Georgia?

He was the longest-running governor who left due to the American Revolution. He was often criticized because schools and government only favored the wealthy.

How did leadership change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Governed by Trustees & James Oglethorpe. Royal Period: Governed by the King & Royal Governors.

How did Georgia's boundaries change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Savannah River (NE), Altamaha River (S), Pacific Ocean (W). Royal Period: Savannah River (NE), St. Mary’s River (S), Mississippi River (W).

How did the government change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Trustees wrote regulations with no input from colonists. Royal Period: Governor appointed by the King working with a Bicameral Legislature where colonists had a local say.

How did religious freedom change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Freedom for Protestants and Jews; Catholics forbidden. Royal Period: The Church of England (Anglican Church) became the official colony church.

How did land ownership change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Tight restrictions; women could not inherit land; max 500 acres. Royal Period: Restrictions lifted; large tracts could be owned; women could inherit land.

How did the policy on slavery change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Completely forbidden. Royal Period: Legalized, leading to large plantations, increased trade, and higher profitability.

How did the policy on alcohol change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Sale of liquor was prohibited. Royal Period: Restrictions were lifted and Georgia began trading with rum.

How did trade systems change from the Trustee Period to the Royal Period?

Trustee Period: Only allowed to trade with Great Britain and the other 12 colonies. Royal Period: Trade opened to all British territories, rapidly increasing economic growth.

What goods were involved in Georgia's system of Mercantilism?

Georgia exported raw materials (timber, animal skins, rice, silk, indigo) and imported finished goods (firearms, ammunition, furniture, swords).