The Age of ExpansionLand!

NB pg. 121 (TB pgs. 177-183)

Manifest DestinyUSA - extend

boundaries of freedom to

others (spread beliefs re:

democracy & self-gov’t.

Expand riches of USA by moving

west.

Changes after Revolutionary WarNewly gained Independence – we want LAND!!!!

CherokeeLands

CreekLands

Headright SystemLand east of Oconee River (Indian land)

given by the Headright System.Each white male counted as a “head” of a

family.“Right” to receive up to 1,000 acres.

Land Lottery

Replaced the Headright System in 1803.

Public domain lands (lands owned by the state or federal gov’t).

West of Oconee River.For $, any white male

21 years or older could buy a chance to spin a wheel & win land.

What Is Fairness?

Give examples of a time when you felt someone was unfair to you (without using names).

Free from bias, dishonesty, or injustice

What is Fraud?Deceit, trickery, sharp practice,

or breach of confidence, used for profit or to gain some unfair or dishonest advantage.

Yazoo Land Fraud GA’s West borders - Mississippi & Yazoo River.

Both South Carolina and Spain claimed some of this same land

So, the matter went to court...

However, before a settlement could be made, 4 land companies approached ...

Governor George Mathews & members of the Georgia General

Assembly...

Legislators bribed to pass a bill allowing the companies to buy the western lands.

GA Assembly passed a bill – able to purchase 35 – 50 million acres of land for $500,000 – about 1 ½ cents per acre.

Public protested all over GA.Newspapers printed articles.Grand juries met.Citizens called for the

resignation of the legislation involved.

Legislators voted out of office.

The new legislature repealed the law.

All records of these land sales were burned in public at Louisville

(the state’s capital at the time).

Georgia Cedes Western LandLost land and $ because of the

Yazoo Land Fraud.Ceded (Gave Up) land west of the

Chattahoochee River to the federal gov’t for $1.25 million.

Louisiana Purchase

1803 - Bought Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million.

Doubled the size of USA.Western Border = Rocky Mountains

Thomas Jefferson 3rd president

Economic Growth in Georgia

Farming

Eli Whitneycotton gin separated the cotton fibers

from the seeds

Before the cotton ginWorker could separate 6 – 7 pounds of cotton seed per day.

After the cotton ginWorker could separate 50 pounds of cotton seed per day.

Mechanical ReaperInventor = Cyrus McCormickFastened wooden paddles to the harness of a horse.As the paddles turned, it would cut the grain.

These time and labor-saving devices helped Georgians to work larger and more profitable farms.

Panic of 1837After this period of a strong economy with these

new inventions, Georgia suddenly experienced a period of depression (a sharp economic downturn).

Transportation

TransportationAfter Railroads...

Freight was sent to market by...

Riverboats Ferries Wagon Trains

RoadsThe federal government built some major highways in

the early 1800s.

Called Turnpikes because they had “pikes” or gates.

Travelers had to pay a fee at each pike to remain on the road.

FerriesUnique horse-drawn log rafts carried travelers across the rivers

at their shallowest points.

In the deepest river waters, the ferries used a pulley and cable system – required a strong back and arm as the ferry operator pulled the raft across the river.

RailroadsAt first, rail travel was the least

favored means of transportation.Most of the track in Georgia

belonged to the Western and Atlantic Railroads.

Started near Chattanooga, Tennessee and ended at Terminus (end of the railroad line/today’s Atlanta)

Dramatically shortened travel time for passengers and freight.

Follow-Up Map on pg. 120Follow-Up Map on pg. 120

Homework, read pgs. 184-188 in Homework, read pgs. 184-188 in textbook.textbook.