Citz 1001 Examination One Georgia History Study Questions

Explanation
The Georgia colony originally banned slavery. This was a unique aspect of the colony, as it was founded as a philanthropic endeavor by James Oglethorpe and the Trustees. They believed that banning slavery would help create a more egalitarian society and provide opportunities for the "worthy poor" to start a new life. However, this ban on slavery was eventually lifted in 1751 due to economic pressures and the colony's need for labor.

Explanation
The given statement is false. Georgia did not send a delegation to the First Continental Congress. The First Continental Congress was held in 1774 in Philadelphia and was attended by delegates from twelve of the thirteen British colonies, excluding Georgia. Georgia did not participate in the Congress due to internal conflicts and a lack of unity among its residents regarding the growing tensions with Britain.

Explanation
By 1801, Georgia had become the leading producer of cotton in the world. This was due to the state's favorable climate and fertile soil, which made it ideal for growing cotton. The invention of the cotton gin by Eli Whitney in 1793 also played a significant role in increasing cotton production. The cotton gin made it easier and more efficient to separate cotton fibers from the seeds, leading to a boom in cotton production. As a result, Georgia was able to surpass other countries and become the global leader in cotton production by 1801.

Explanation
Joseph Bond owned 500 slaves at the time of his death in 1859. This suggests that Bond was a wealthy individual who owned a significant number of enslaved people. The ownership of such a large number of slaves was not uncommon during this time period, as slavery was a widespread and deeply ingrained institution in many parts of the United States. The existence of slavery and the ownership of slaves played a major role in the economy and social structure of the country during this era.

Explanation
During the time of secession, two-thirds of Georgia's white population owned no slaves. This means that out of every three white individuals in Georgia, two did not own any slaves. This information suggests that the majority of white Georgians did not have a direct economic interest in the institution of slavery, which could have influenced their stance on secession.

Explanation
On December 16, 1864, General Sherman made the City of Savannah a Christmas present to President Lincoln. This suggests that General Sherman, out of the given options, is the correct answer. It implies that General Sherman played a significant role in the capture of Savannah during the American Civil War and presented it as a gift to President Lincoln.

Explanation
The statement is false because reconstruction in Georgia was not a peaceful transition from white supremacy to racial equality for black residents of the state. Instead, it was a tumultuous period marked by violence, political unrest, and the rise of white supremacist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. Black residents faced widespread discrimination, disenfranchisement, and the imposition of Jim Crow laws, which enforced racial segregation and further entrenched white supremacy. The Reconstruction era was characterized by significant challenges and setbacks in the pursuit of racial equality.

Explanation
The statement is true because historian Eric Foner refers to Georgia as the most comprehensive effort to undo Reconstruction. This implies that Georgia made significant efforts to reverse the progress and reforms that were implemented during the Reconstruction era. Foner's statement suggests that Georgia's actions were particularly noteworthy and extensive in their attempt to dismantle the advancements made during this period.

Explanation
The statement is false because the average worth of white males in Georgia actually decreased by $1,400 from 1860 to 1870, not increased.

Explanation
Sharecropping did not work to the financial advantage of freedmen in Georgia. While it provided them with a means of earning a living and gaining access to land, the system was exploitative and often left freedmen in a cycle of debt and poverty. They were typically given small plots of land to work on and had to give a large portion of their crop as rent to the landowner. This, along with high interest rates and unfair contracts, made it difficult for freedmen to accumulate wealth and improve their financial situation.

Explanation
Henry Grady's "New South" crusade did not seek to promote economic diversification through the promotion of sharecropping. Instead, Grady advocated for industrialization and the development of a modern economy in the South, emphasizing the need for manufacturing, urbanization, and infrastructure improvements. Sharecropping, on the other hand, was a system of agriculture that emerged after the Civil War and perpetuated a cycle of poverty for many farmers. Grady's vision for the New South was focused on moving away from the agrarian economy of the past and embracing progress and modernization.