GA & US History Comparative Timeline

By ZebraprintLove1

  • Colony of Georgia was Established (G.A.)

    The colony of Georgia was established by James Oglethorpe and other Trustees from Britain. Named after King George II, it was the last of the thirteen colonies. The charter for establishing the colony was granted in 1732, but Oglethorpe and company did not settle in Savannah until 1733. This entry was included because it signals the beginning of Georgia and its history.
  • Period: to

    A Comparative Timeline of Georgia & U.S. History

  • Molasses Act Passed by England Affecting Colonies in U.S. & Abroad (U.S.)

  • Battle of Bloody Marsh (G.A.)

    Spanish troops tried to invade Georgia via St. Simons Island. They were soundly defeated by British troops. The Spanish left the island on July 13. This battle represents the last time Spanish troops tried to invade Georgia and paved the way for the legalization of slavery in the colony, hence its inclusion in the timeline.

  • Faneuil Hall Hosts Its 1st Town Meeting (U.S.)

  • The Revolutionary War Begins (U.S.)

  • Georgia Adopts the Association's Ban on Trade with Britain (G.A.)

    The Second Provincial Congress adopted the Association's ban on trade with Britain and established local committees to enforce the ban. This ban meant that Georgia would trade with other colonies and internationally without having to first go through Britain. By signing this ban, the factions of Whigs and Tories began to exist and violence erupted, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • France Joines Forces with the U.S. in the Revolutionary War via the signing of the Treaty of Alliance

  • The Siege of Savannah (G.A.)

    The Siege of Savannah was the second deadliest battle of the Revolutionary War. It was the most serious military confrontation between British and American troops that occured in Georgia. American and French troops tried to free Savannah from British occupation, but was unsuccessful. This was a serious victory for the British in the War as it kept Georgia under its rule, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • The American Revolution in Georgia Ends (G.A.)

    British troops began their final evacuation of Savannah on July 10th. The city was formally surrendered on July 11th to Colonel James Jackson. This event signaled an effort on the part of the British to recognize the independence of the Americans, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Congress Ratifies Articles of Peace to End Revolutionary War (U.S.)

  • The Proposed Constitution for the U.S. is Made Public

  • Georgia Ratifies the Constitution (G.A.)

    Georgia becomes a state after ratifying the United States Constitution. It was the first Southern state to do so. The ratification of the Constitution occurred after Georgians Abraham Baldwin and William Few, Jr. signed the Constitution at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia in 1787. Georgia was now subject to the three branches of government that made up the new system of governing.

  • 1st Fugitive Slave Act Passed in the U.S. (U.S.)

  • Eli Whitney Invents the Cotton Gin (G.A.)

    Eli Whitney invented the cotton gin on the Georgia plantation of Catharine Green. His gin allowed for the seeds to be cleaned out of cotton more quickly, easily, and efficiently. I included this because its invention led to an increase in the need for slaves as cotton growing spread across the state, affecting Georgia's economy and position in the Civil War.

  • Cornerstone for 1sT U.S. Mint is Laid (U.S.)

  • Gold is Documented as Being Found (G.A.)

    Gold was documented as found in Habersham County on this date. As more gold was found in other areas of north Georgia, people came from all over looking to strike it rich. This influx of people caused tensions to increase with the Cherokee Native Americans living there. This tension led to the eventual removal of the Cherokees, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • The Panic of 1837 (U.S.)

    A financial crisis that was felt across the nation.

  • Terminus (Atlanta) is Founded (G.A.)

    Terminus, or "end of the line," was founded in 1837, which connected the interior of the state to other areas in the region. Terminus was eventually renamed Atlanta and Georgia eventually became the "Empire State of the South." Atlanta has played and continues to play a major part in the economic history of Georgia, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Last of the Seminole Indians in Florida Relocated to Indian Territory (U.S.)

  • Trail of Tears Begins (G.A.)

    The Trail of Tears began as the Cherokees who called the North Georgia mountains home were forced to relocate to what became Oklahoma. One-fifth of the population died along the way due to the harsh weather conditions. I added this to the timeline because with the removal of the Native Americans who resided there, white Georgians were able to portion off the land to other white settlers and inhabit that area freely.

  • Abraham Lincoln Elected as President (U.S.)

  • Georgia Secedes from the Union (G.A.)

    Tensions over the issue of slavery had been brewing for years, but when Abraham Lincoln who was viewed as the "antislavery candidate" won the presidential election, many Southern states began to seriously consider secession. Georgia made its decision on Jan. 19, 1861. The Confederate States of America was founded shortly after. This event led to Georgia's role in the Civil War, hence its addition to the timeline,

  • Abraham Lincoln Re-Elected as President (U.S.)

  • Sherman's March to the Sea (G.A.)

    Sherman's troops march from Atlanta to Savannah, burning and destroying railroads and buildings. This event was a weapon of psychological warfare meant to show the Union's power to the Confederacy. This event severely impacted the confidence of the Confederacy, hence its inclusion in the timeline.

  • Freedmen's Bureau Organized (G.A.)

    The Freedmen's Bureau was the first organization that was dedicated solely to social welfare. Its primary purpose was to help former slaves make the transition from slavery to freedom. The organization made efforts to educate Blacks, something which had previously been outlawed. They were able to establish schools for freedpeople, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Lee surrenders to Grant at Appomattox (U.S.)

  • The Ku Klux Klan Becomes a Political Organization in the U.S. (U.S.)

  • The Ku Klux Klan Spreads (G.A.)

    The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group, actually formed in Tennessee. However, after the Civil War, efforts were being made to be more inclusive of Blacks. As the KKK spread throughout Georgia, they were able to succeed in keeping the privileges and rights extended to Blacks at a minimum. They were also influential in the Civil Rights era, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • 28 Legislature Members Expelled (G.A.)

    28 members of the state legislature were expelled for being at least one-eighth Black just as the Southern states were being readmitted to the Union. All of the members were Republican and all of the members had been elected by the people, but were denied the ability to fulfill their duties. The Camilla Massacre soon followed. This event paved the way for Reconstruction to end early in the state, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • The Southern States are Readmitted to the Union (U.S.)

  • 15th Amendment is Ratified (U.S.)

  • The Redemption Era Begins (G.A.)

    White conservative Democrats who were known as the Redeemers began to control the state government. The Redemption Era signaled the return of power to former Confederate governors and generals, antebellum and wartime leaders. This exchange of power affected the ratification of the 15th Amendment in Georgia along with other things, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Populist Party is Organized (G.A.)

    The Populist Party was organized under Thomas Watson's leadership. It encouraged racial inclusiveness with Black farmers who were invited to participatein its cooperate farm exchange. The Populist Party also offered a platform of banking and railroad reform. I included this in my timeline due to its effect on segregation, as the Bourbon Triumvirate, participants from the Redemption Era strengthened their efforts to curtail the political power of Blacks.

  • Grover Cleveland Elected President (U.S.)

  • Atlanta Compromise Speech (G.A.)

    Booker T. Washington delivered the speech at the Cotton States Exposition. In it, he basically stated that Blacks and Whites could maintain a "separate, but equal" status. He also asked for Whites to trust Blacks and provide them with opportunities to advance in agriculture and industry.

  • Plessy v. Ferguson (U.S.)

  • The Niagara Movement Began (U.S.)

  • Atlanta Race Riot of 1906 (G.A.)

    Fueled by unfounded reports of attacks on White women by Black men, mobs of White people went through Black neighborhoods beating and killing people. They also destroyed property. White people wanted to keep Black people in "their place" and the Black elite, such as those present in the Niagara Movement, was making them uncomfortable. Black suffrage was restricted as a result of this event, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Hartsfield Airport is Established (G.A.)

    William Hartsfield established Hartsfield (later Hartsfield-Jackson) Airport on this day. The airport became a "major hub" for both Eastern & Delta Air Lines. The economy of Georgia has been richly enhanced by the establishment of the airport; it is now the busiest airport in the U.S. Its long-lasting effect on Georgia economy is why I included it in the timeline.

  • Air Commerce Act Passed by Congress (U.S.)

  • Franklin D. Roosevelt Becomes President & Brings New Deal with Him (U.S.)

  • Talmadge Elected as Governor (G.A.)

    Eugene Talmadge was elected as governor in November 1932. Fiercely opposed to President Roosevelt's New Deal measures, he did everything he could to prevent the efforts that were meant to help Georgia from going forth. He was elected to multiple terms and even vetoed measures which would allow Georgia to participate in the Social Security Administration. His opposition to help and its effect is why I included this on my timeline.

  • 1st US Congressional Standing Committee Headed by an African American (U.S.)

  • Atlanta Negro Voters League is Founded (G.A.)

    The Atlanta Negro Voters League was an interracial bipartisan political organization formed to help "maximize the strength of the Black vote." It helped Blacks register to vote, even providing carpools for voters to get to the polls. It also provided a voice for Blacks in municipal politics, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Browder v. Gayle Decision (U.S.)

    The Supreme Court ruled that bus segregation in Alabama was illegal. Precursor to the formation of the SCLC.

  • SCLC Founded (G.A.)

    The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was founded in Atlanta. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was elected as its first president. The SCLC played an integral part in the Civil Rights Movement, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • CORE Attempts to Desegregate Bus Lines (U.S.)

  • Albany Movement (G.A.)

    The Albany Movement began as the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) worked with locals to conduct a voter registration drive. It was the first mass effort in Georgia to desegrate an entire community. It was the precursor to the Civil Rights Movement beginning in Birngmingham, Alabama, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • Savannah's Public & Private Facilities are Desegregated (G.A.)

    W.W. Law, head of the local chapter of the NAACP, forced city leaders to agree to desegrate Savannah's public and private facilities. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. hailed Savannah as the "most desegrated city south of the Mason-Dixie line" in his New Year's Day speech. This was an example of forward progress regarding civil rights in Georgia, hence its addition to the timeline.

  • President Kennedy is Assassinated (U.S.)