James Oglethorpe arriving in Georgia and founding Savannah

Question

Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.

Answer 1

James Oglethorpe was the main person involved in founding Savannah and the colony of Georgia. He was an English military officer and philanthropist who had a vision of creating a colony where debtors and the poor could start anew. Oglethorpe established the Georgia colony under a charter issued by King George II in 1732.

Another group involved in this event was the original colonists of Georgia. Oglethorpe carefully selected settlers, including debtors seeking a fresh start and persecuted religious groups, such as the Salzburgers and Highland Scots. These colonists were given the opportunity to start a new life in America under stricter rules and regulations compared to the neighboring colonies.

The Native American tribes in the region, such as the Creek and Yamacraw tribes, were also affected by the establishment of Savannah and the arrival of Oglethorpe. Initially, Oglethorpe sought peaceful relations with the Native Americans and even formed alliances with some tribes. This allowed for relatively peaceful coexistence and trade in the early years of the colony.

However, conflicts and tensions between settlers and Native Americans eventually arose over land ownership, leading to sporadic violence and forced removals. The establishment of Savannah and the subsequent growth of the Georgia colony ultimately had a lasting impact on the Native American populations in the region.

The Spanish, who held territories in Florida and had competing interests in the area, were also affected by Oglethorpe's arrival in Georgia. Oglethorpe built fortifications and established a defensive presence to protect the fledgling colony from Spanish incursions. This led to intermittent conflicts between the English and Spanish forces over control of the region.

Lastly, the British government played a role in the founding of Savannah and Georgia. King George II issued the charter for the colony and provided support, both financial and military, for its establishment. The British government viewed Georgia as a strategic buffer between the already established colonies to the north and the Spanish territories to the south. By supporting Oglethorpe's venture, the British hoped to gain economic and military advantages in the region.