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GA History: Native American Slave Trade
Before Georgia became a colony, English settlers in South Carolina used forays across the Savannah River to trade Native American slaves. Native American, and later African- American slaves, were significant to the colonies because they were used as labor forces for crops and other duties. Savannah would later become the first settlement in Georgia. -
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The Colonial Era
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US History: The Founding of Jamestown
The Virginia Company of England establishes Jamestown, Virginia. Named after Queen Elizabeth I, this settlement is the first permanent British settlement in North America. This event is significant because Jamestown was the very beginning of the thirteen colonies. -
US History: The Molasses Act
The Molasses Act was a British law that imposed a tax on molasses, sugar, and rum from non-British colonies to North American colonies. This event is significant to Georgia because Georgia would be directly affected by the tax due to Savannah being an import/export hub. -
GA History: The Founding of Georgia
James Edward Oglethorpe and his 20 trustees establish the town of Savannah, Georgia. Georgia was the last of the original 13 colonies to be established. Georgia was meant to serve as a buffer between the English colonies and their enemies, Native Americans and the Spanish. Exotic crops that could not be found in the other colonies were also promised in exchange for a charter. Things did not go as originally planned. This is significant to the need for Independence from Britain. -
GA History: 3rd Royal Governor
James Wright is appointed Georgia's 3rd Governor, replacing Henry Ellis. He plays a significant role in Georgia's history because he enforced the 1765 Stamp Act that taxes the British colonies. The Stamp Act played a crucial role in Georgia's participation in the Revolutionary War. -
US History: American Revolution
The American Revolution was fought in order for the thirteen colonies to gain independence from British rule. This event is significant to Georgia because, without independence, Georgia would still be struggling under British rule. The Revolution is regarded as the first successful Democratic movement. -
US Event: Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea party was an act of defiance from the colonist to British rule. Colonists, dressed as native Americans, tossed 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor in response to "taxation without representation". The main consequence of their actions was to pay for all of the tea dumped into the harbor. -
GA History: Siege of Savannah
The Siege of Savannah was one of the bloodiest battles during the Revolution. After the battle, Georgia became part of the colonies again. People that were indifferent to the Revolutionary War now sided with the British due to the defeat of the French. This is significant to Georgia's history because it prolonged British rule over the colony. -
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The Antebellum Era
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US History: War of 1812
The War of 1812 was considered a minor conflict in American history. However, it destroyed the native American's ability to resist expansion East of the Mississippi. The Two main goals of the war were to get the British to repeal their Orders in Council that placed trade restrictions on the Americans and to stop the impressment of American sailors into the Royal Navy. -
GA History: Emanuel County is formed
The Antebellum Era is filled with formations of Georgia counties. Counties were created in order to give citizens in rural areas access to government services. This is significant to Georgia's History because so much of the state is considered a rural area that often goes unnoticed by bigger cities. -
US History: Andrew Jackson becomes 7th President
Andrew Jackson served as President of the United States from 1828-1837. During his time as President, he founded the Democratic Party and led the forced removal of Native Americans. He was also a Major General in the War of 1812. -
GA History: The Gold Rush
The Gold Rush sent thousands of people North towards Dahlonega in search of gold. A surge of people intruded on Native American territory by ignoring government treaties and burning villages. This event, though short-lived, was significant to the mistreatment of Cherokee Indians and their land, as well as, the Indian Removal Act. -
US History: The Indian Removal Act
The Indian Removal Act was signed into law by Andrew Jackson. The law authorized the president to grant lands West o the Mississippi in exchange for Indian lands within state borders.When Native Americans refused the offer, the Trail of Tears began. -
Ga History: Cherokee Nation vs. Georgia
The Supreme court case ruled that the Cherokee Nation is a sovereign Nation, meaning that Georgia did not have the right to enforce state laws in the Cherokee territory. However, Andrew Jackson did not uphold the rulings of the trial and ordered the Removal of Indians known as The Trail of Tears. This is significant to Georgia's history because it gave way for land that could be used for crops and changed Native American culture in Georgia. -
GA History: Forsyth Female Collegiate Institute
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US History: Harriet Tubman begins Underground Railroad
Harriet Tubman was a former slave that was credited with forming the Underground Railroad, which freed over 70 slaves. She was also a Union spy and was the first black woman to lead an American mission (during the Civil War). -
US History: Abraham Lincoln becomes 16th President
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th president of the United States. He abolished slavery during his term. He was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. -
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The Civil War Era
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US History: Civil War
The Civil War was fought between the Union and the Confederacy due to opposing views regarding slavery. -
GA History: Joe Brown becomes Governor
Joseph Brown was the 42nd Governor of Georgia. He is significant to Georgia's history because of his stance on children's education and his opinions regarding the Confederate Draft. Governor Brown tried to exempt state military forces and Georgia men that held jobs from the draft. -
GA History: Battle of Chicamauga
The Battle of Chicamauga is considered the largest Confederate victory in Western theater and the second-bloodiest battle of the Civil War. This battle is significant to Georgia's history because Confederate troops turned Union troops back out of Georgia to Tennessee and they didn't try to return for another year. -
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The Reconstruction Era
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Ga History: Sherman's March to the Sea
The purpose of Sherman's March to the sea was to terrorize Georgia citizens into abandoning the Confederacy and joining the Union. Sherman and his men proved their point by hurting Georgia's morale and showing them that the Confederacy was no match for their forces. This is significant to Georgia's history because it changed Georgia's views of the Confederacy. -
US History: Lincoln is Assassinated
Lincoln is assassinated by John Wilkes Booth while attending the play, Our American cousin on April 15th, 1865. Lincoln passed away at Ford's Theatre in New York. -
GA History: Atlanta becomes Capital
While recovering from the destruction of the Civil War, Georgia and the other Southern states started an effort to change their image as the "New South". Atlanta was chosen due to its rapidly growing population and because of the railroad centers that ran through the town. While moving the capital from Milledgeville to Atlanta was meant to be temporary it proved to be beneficial to Georgia's economy and population. -
Ga History: Georgia is permanently readmitted into the Union
During the aftermath of the Civil War, Southern states had to draft new state constitutions that aligned with the Union. Georgia had to be readmitted to the Union multiple times to do changes made to the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments. This is significant to Georgia's history because it shows that after years of back-and-forth disagreements, Georgia is starting to become a cohesive state. -
US History: Robert E. Lee Dies
General of the Confederate Army, Robert E. Lee died of a stroke on October 12, 1870. He passed away at home at the age of 63. -
US History: Thomas Edison Invents the Phonograph
A phonograph is an early version of a record player. It can record and produce sounds. Jazz is said to have been the reason for a surge of interest in music, particularly jazz. -
GA History: Brenau University is Founded
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US History: Federal Court finds TN's Jim Crow laws Unconstitutional
By finding Jim Crow Laws unconstitutional and that congress had no power over private persons and corporations, the Supreme court opened the door for even more Jim Crow Laws to be put into place by various states. -
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The Progressive Era
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US History: Plessy vs. Ferguson
Plessy vs. Ferguson was a supreme court decision that ruled that racial segregation laws did not violate the US constitution as long as all facilities were equal in quality. Thus, furthering the argument of "separate but equal". -
GA History: Allen D. Candler Becomes Governor
Candler was the 56th Governor of Georgia and a Civil War veteran. Candler advocated making the democratic party " whites only" and limiting state services for poor white and black people. His backward views regarding race and economic class directly reflects the growing tension in Georgia that contributed to riots such as the Atlanta Race Riot. -
GA History: ATL Race Riot
While the growth of Atlanta in the early 1900s was great for Georgia's economy, tensions over race and class were growing rapidly. White people were scared that black people would take their positions for jobs, housing, and politics. This tension became too much and the Atlanta Race Riot came to a head in 1906. However, newspapers would report that the riots were to the rape allegations of four white women. Separation of Race was the state's solution, making the riot a turning point for Jim Crow -
US History: NAACP Formed
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in New York in 1909. It is America's largest and oldest civil tights organization. -
US History: Arizona becomes 48th State
The United states continues to add to their territory by making the Arizona territory it's 48th state in 1912. -
GA History: Girl Scouts Formed
The Girl Scouts was created by Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Ga. in 1912. During World War 2, Scout groups were formed for the young girls that were in internment camps with their families. Girl Scouts officially integrated to include black girls in 1969. Before that, troops were segregated. During the Great Depression, Girl Scout Troops would collect food and clothing for families that were impacted. -
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The New Era (Roaring 20's)
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US History: Women Gain The Right To Vote
The 19th amendment grants women the right to vote. This victory took decades of protests to see fruition. At the 1920 Presidential election, more than 8 million women voted for the first time. -
GA History: Boll Weevils cut Ga Cotton Production in Half
The Boll Weevil epidemic destroyed most of Georgia's cotton crops. The insects were such a problem that Congress stated that a $5M prize would be awarded to whoever eliminated the boll weevil. They are considered to be the main reason tenant farmers started abandoning farms and moving to bigger cities. The failure of cotton only contributed to the impact that the Great Depression had on Georgia. -
GA History: Warm Springs Foundation
The Warm Springs Foundation is a health resort founded by Franklin Roosevelt. Roosevelt had polio and was convinced that the springs had healing powers. Today, the foundation helps disabled people adjust to their new lives and eliminate barriers for them. Mr. Roosevelt died at Warm Springs in 1945. -
US History: Construction Begins on Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore immortalizes George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Teddy Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. The presidents were chosen to commemorate 4 important events in American History and the monument was completed in 1941. -
US History: Wall Street Crashes
Major banks shut down when Wall Street crashed. Most workers were let go from their jobs and families could not afford food. While the Wall Street Crash wasn't the main cause of the Great Depression, it certainly was a contributing factor. -
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The Great Depression Era
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US History: Franklin Roosevelt is elected 32nd President
FDR becomes the 32nd President of the United States. He is mainly known for his New Deal Efforts during The Great Depression. -
GA History: Eugene Talmadge elected 67th Governor
Eugene Talmadge served three terms as Georgia's 67th Governor. Much like Joseph Brown, Talmadge was an advocate for white supremacy and segregation. He strongly opposed both the New Deal in the South and Roosevelt's plans for the US. -
US History: Word War 2
Adolph Hitler invades Poland causing the beginning of World War 2. After the invasion, both Great Britain and France declared war on Germany. -
GA History: Eight Air Force is Activated in Savannah
The Eight Air Force was created in Savannah, Ga. in response to World War 2. There were two main objectives during its establishment, to destroy the German Luftwaffe and to help destroy Germany's production of weapons, transportation systems, factories, etc. Major General Carl Spaatz flew 60 missions over occupied Europe during World War 2. -
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The Civil Rights Era
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US History: Brown vs. Board of Education
Brown vs. Board of Education was a supreme court decision that ruled segregated public schools were unconstitutional, even if the schools were equal in quality. -
US History: Freedom Riders
The Freedom Riders were a group of civil rights activists, both black and white, that participated in bus trips through the South to protest segregated bus terminals. -
GA History: The Albany Movement
The Albany movement was a group effort of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee and other various civil rights organizations to desegregate Albany by focusing on travel facilities. Martin Luther King Jr assisted in the movement and although it was deemed a failure, many leaders took it as a lesson in tactics and strategies for further protests. The aftermath of the Albany movement found over 1000 African Americans in jail. -
GA History: Summerhill Race Riot
Similarly to the Atlanta Race Riot, the Summerhill Race Riot was reported to have started over African American men committing crimes. Atlanta police shot the suspected thief and chaos ensued. During the riot that lasted four days, 20 people were injured and 1 person died. -
US History: MLK Jr. is Assassinated
Martin Luther King Jr. is assassinated in Memphis, Tennesse. He is later buried in Atlanta, Georgia. -
GA History: Georgia Schools are Integrated
In the aftermath of desegregation, the Georgia Assembly threatened to stop funding and allow the governor to close any school that desegregated. Georgia even changed the state flag in response to desegregation. Seventeen years after Brown vs. Board of Education, in 1971, Georgia finally integrates the last districts. -
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The Modern Era
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GA History: 1996 Summer Olympics Held in ATL
Atlanta was the host of the 1996 Summer Olympics. During the games, the Bombing of Centennial Park occurred, killing two people. The bomber was later identified as Eric Rudolph. Rudolph also admitted to bombing two abortion clinics and a gay nightclub. -
US History: September 11, 2001
The terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, occurred when two planes were hijacked and flown into the World Trade Center in New York. A third plane hit The Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. These attacks caused the war in Afghanistan. -
US History: Obama Becomes First Black President
Barack Obama becomes the first African American President in US History in November of 2008. -
GA History: Ga Votes Majority Democratic For First Time Since 1992
The Presidental voting history was majority democratic for the first time since 1992 during the 2020 Presidential Election. This outcome was in favor of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Our last democratic President, before Biden, was Bill Clinton.