Georgia Online

Georgia’s History

Early Georgia
People have been living in Georgia for thousands of years. Georgia's first residents were hunters that migrated throughout the region. People began to settle in Georgia permanently after 1000 ?.?. These groups were called the Woodland cultures. The Woodland people could settle permanently because they developed agriculture methods that enabled them to grow food. Some of the Woodland Indians built large mounds that remain today. Some of these mounds were in the shape of animals, such as the Rock Eagle in Putnam County.

Georgia was populated by many Native American groups, including thousands of Creeks and Cherokees, when Europeans arrived in the 1500s. These Native Americans were first affected by Spanish missionaries and militaries. English settlers followed the Spanish and established a permanent settlement in the area in 1733. Georgia's population increased rapidly as settlers moved up the Savannah River. Georgia was established as one of the original 13 colonies and later rebelled against the British government.

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Georgia Becomes a State
Despite being one of the youngest colonies, Georgia was one of the first colonies to become a state. Georgia sent two delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in September 1787. This meeting produced the document that would establish the new nation. Georgia's two delegates signed the U.S. Constitution. Only a few months later, on January 2, 1788, Georgia ratified-or voted to approve-the Constitution, making Georgia the fourth state of the United States.

Georgia's capital has not always been Atlanta. Its first capital was in the city of Augusta. Other cities that have hosted the capital are Louisville, Milledgeville, and Macon. Atlanta has been the state capital since 1868.

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Growth and Development
The history of Georgia shows that its economy, like most Southern states, was largely based on agriculture until the mid-1900s. The Civil War caused much destruction throughout Georgia, and the state was slow to recover afterwards. The farming practice of sharecropping kept many residents in poverty for decades. Some reformers, such as Henry Grady, encouraged changing the economic foundations of Georgia. He called for a "New South" that was more industrialized than before. While some progress was made towards this end, Georgia still remained poor.

The Depression hurt the cotton industry further. However, the U.S. government's New Deal programs helped to reform Georgia's agricultural sector. World War II brought new jobs to Georgia, funneling money into defense industries and military facilities.

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Modern Georgia
During the twentieth century, Georgia became increasingly industrialized and more dependent on manufacturing than on agriculture. Georgia began exporting billions of dollars of non-agricultural goods to markets around the world. To accompany the state's economic successes, Georgia has also enjoyed population growth above the national average.

Today, Georgia enjoys a rich reputation, celebrated for everything from the civil rights movement to Jimmy Carter, the first Georgian ever to be elected president. Atlanta is known as an important center of business and technology and is home to the nation's busiest airport. The coast of Georgia is known for its recreational opportunities. Georgia's temperate climate continues to draw new residents and industries.

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Economic and Political Change
While many new industries are thriving in urban areas, smaller towns are experiencing economic problems. The change from agriculture to manufacturing has caused many small farming towns to become even smaller or to die. Some economists and politicians claim that increased trade with foreign nations will bring more jobs and income to the state of Georgia.

Politics in Georgia are changing as well. During the second half of the twentieth century, political power has shifted from the Democratic Party to the Republican Party. This shift has happened throughout the South. The change may not be permanent, but recently it has affected national politics. Every presidential campaign since 1992 has featured a candidate with a Southern accent.

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Timeline of Georgia History

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