G1d - Water in Georgia

SS8G1 Describe Georgia’s geography and climate

D. Analyze the importance of water in Georgia’s historical development 

and economic growth.

As we have read in the G1 standards, water is super important in Georgia's past and present. It has been a source of drinking water, transportation, and power. It also helped with growing crops. 

The deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick help with our importing and exporting of goods.  Economic growth due to water has been important since the early days of Native Americans. They used water to transportation and food. 

Early settlers of Georgia used the rivers to help Georgia become King Cotton (producers of mass amounts of cotton). Rivers helped with the growing of the cotton and then the transportation of the cotton. 

During the Civil War, control of the rivers was important. Both sides needed the rivers for transportation of goods and people. 

World War II saw Liberty ships (large hulls that were built to transport items) being built. 

Today, the ports of Savannah and Brunswick are economic boosters transporting goods in and out of Georgia.