1. There were many plans for the new land below South Carolina presented to King George II. Explain why the King chose Oglethorpe’s plan.
The King liked Oglethorpe’s plan because he saw the potential for producing silk, indigos, and dyes for use by the English.
2. Since Oglethorpe was called “Father” by most of the colonists, why was there discontent among them?
The trustees, including Oglethorpe, had imposed certain rules on the colonists. Two of these restrictions – no rum and no slaves – were particularly distasteful to the new settlers. It was thought that rum and slaves would promote laziness among these new settlers. The settlers, however, thought they should be able to have whatever the other colonies had. They were secretly renting slaves from South Carolina plantations.
3. Describe what caused nearly a third of the colonists to die the first year of settlement.
Sickness because of bad water, malaria (caused by mosquitoes), as well as the extreme heat caused many deaths among the colonists. (The colony grew to at least 500 by the second year. There were new colonists coming to Georgia either from England or from other colonies.)
4. Explain the main reasons why Georgia was a successful colony.
Georgia’s vast riches of timber and other natural resources proved to be very profitable for the colony and for England. It was also a natural buffer zone between South Carolina and Florida, defending the other colonies from the French and Spanish.
5. Other than what was talked about in the video, what changes in the settlers’ lives had to be made because of the differences in the two countries? (Remember Europe, and England in particular, had very different weather and living conditions from the colony of Georgia.)
Clothing: England was cooler than Georgia. Rather than wear the wool clothes on top of the many petticoats and layers of clothing they were used to, the colonists had to learn to wear only cotton and short-sleeved garments – and not as many of them.
Housing: Rather than living in a cool, rainy climate, in the middle of a crowded city, colonists were needing to build small but simple dwellings with lots of windows (to catch cool breezes) using wood and tabby (a mixture of sand and seashells) and palm tree branches for the roof.
Food: Some colonists had to learn to grow their own food, which was a new experience for them, in addition to learning to eat a different variety of food. The Indians were a great source of knowledge of gardening techniques and what and when to plant. Also, their knowledge of medicinal plants helped with the sicknesses and injuries they encountered. You and your students may think of other life changes they had to make. Research these.
As an enthusiast with a deep understanding of colonial history, especially the founding and development of Georgia, I can provide insights into the factors that shaped the early years of the colony. My knowledge is not only based on historical records but also on a passion for exploring the intricacies of this period.
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King George II's Choice of Oglethorpe's Plan: King George II favored James Oglethorpe's plan for the new land below South Carolina due to its economic potential. Oglethorpe's vision included the cultivation of silk, indigos, and dyes, which were valuable commodities for the English. The prospect of economic gain likely influenced the King's decision to support Oglethorpe's plan.
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Discontent Among Colonists and Oglethorpe's Role as "Father": Oglethorpe, often referred to as "Father" by the colonists, faced discontent among them due to restrictive rules imposed by the trustees. Two particularly unpopular restrictions were the prohibition of rum and slaves. The colonists desired the same privileges as other colonies and opposed these limitations. They secretly rented slaves from South Carolina, challenging the imposed rules.
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Causes of High Mortality in the First Year of Settlement: The first year of settlement in Georgia witnessed a significant death toll, attributed to various factors. Poor water quality, malaria transmitted by mosquitoes, and extreme heat contributed to widespread sickness and mortality among the colonists. Despite these challenges, the colony grew to at least 500 individuals by the second year.
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Factors Contributing to Georgia's Success: Georgia's success as a colony can be attributed to its abundant natural resources, particularly timber. The exploitation of these resources proved highly profitable for both the colony and England. Additionally, Georgia served as a strategic buffer zone between South Carolina and Florida, guarding other colonies against potential threats from the French and Spanish.
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Life Changes for Settlers Due to Differences in Countries: The settlers in Georgia had to adapt to various lifestyle changes compared to their European counterparts. These adjustments included alterations in clothing, housing, and food. The warmer climate of Georgia necessitated the adoption of cotton and short-sleeved garments. Dwellings were constructed with consideration for the heat, using materials like wood, tabby (sand and seashells mixture), and palm tree branches for roofs. Growing their own food became a necessity, and the indigenous knowledge of the local Indians proved valuable in gardening techniques and medicinal plant use.
This comprehensive understanding of the historical context surrounding the founding and early years of Georgia provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges and successes faced by the colonists during this crucial period.
