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SS8H2 Analyze the colonial period of Georgia’s history.
a. Explain the importance of the Charter of 1732, including the reasons for settlement (philanthropy, economics, and defense).
H2a - Reason for Settlement
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H2a-reasons for settlement 
Charter of 1732
Charter of 1732
The Charter of 1732 was granted by King George II of England. The Charter outlined the things needed to establish the new colony of Georgia, which was philanthropy, economics, and defense.
James Oglethorpe came up with the idea after having a friend, who was in prison for being in debt, pass away. Oglethorpe knew something had to be done. So he went to King George II and asked the King for a charter to establish the new colony. The King agreed and the new colony got a start.
Philanthropy is a fancy word for charity. Oglethorpe wanted to create a colony for the worthy poor, those who are poor but have a skill that can help the colony contribute.
In reality, the colony that was supposed to start out as a debtor colony didn't end up that way. No debtor was released from prison. The colonist who came over were not wealthy, but skilled people who could help the colony grow.
Mercantilism, a belief in profitable trading, was one of the main factors in the establishment of the colony of Georgia. Four crops (rice, indigo, wine and silk) couldn't be grown in England, so the trustees felt if they could grow them in the new colony of Georgia, they could turn a profit.
Unfortunately, none of these crops ever turned enough profit to make Georgia a successful crop colony.
A helpful thing to remember these crops is the W.R.I.S.T. crops (wine, rice, indigo, silk, and tobacco).
Defense was a major reason for the settlement of Georgia. South Carolina was profitable for England and England wanted to protect it. Georgia became a buffer colony to help protect South Carolina.
Oglethorpe wanted to protect South Carolina so he brought in the fighters of the Highland Scots.
One of the wars that Georgia helped defend South Carolina was the War of Jenkins' Ear. It was named after Captain Robert Jenkins after his ear was cut off during the war. After this battle, Spain never again attempted to threaten the young colony again.
Rules for Settlement
Rules for Settlement
Just like any place, the new colony of Georgia had some rules to follow. The Trustees put in place some rules. Remember, they wanted to make Georgia a utopia, a perfect society, so Oglethorpe and the other trustees put in some rules.
The rules were put into place to make sure Georgia was a fair place. Rum and hard liquor was not allowed. The Trustees felt it would make the colonist lazy.
Slavery was also forbidden for the same reason as rum and hard liquor. Plus, the Trustees didn't want the colony to have the same issues that South Carolina did. South Carolina had large plantations , which also created a divide in the colonist. Large plantations, the wealthy vs the small plantations, the poor hard working colonist.
Another rule that was put in place was one regarding land. Land could not be sold and it had to be passed down to a male member of the family. The Trustees were afraid that if a female member of the family received the land, the Spanish would be able to take it in an attack.
The final rule regarded the banishment of Jews and Catholics. England was a protestant nation, so they forbid Catholics and Jews. Catholics were banned because they were afraid if the Spanish attacked the Catholics would side with them. Jews were eventually let into the colony because the Georgia colony doctor died. Dr. Samuel Nunes, a Portuguese Jew, was allowed into the colony after the there was many medical concerns.
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