Age of Expansion DT #2 Redemption Lesson

Georgia state officials wanted the population to grow since a larger population would result in greater representation in the U.S. Congress. Also, new settlers would turn the land into farms which would bring more economic growth to the state.

Georgia’s farmers had access to a large amount of land but was undeveloped in central and western Georgia. There were few settlers so land was at first given away to encourage settlement through the Headright System and later in a series of land lotteries.

To attract more settlers, Georgians were first given the right to FREE land in Georgia east of the Oconee River (200 acres for the head of household, 50 acres for each family member including slaves). Every white male counted as a head of household and had the “right” to receive up to 1,000 acres!

*This system ended when there were too many claims and not enough land to offer. 

The Headright System was replaced in 1803 by a land lottery for government-owned land west of the Oconee. Average Georgians could buy land at a cheap price. All white heads-of-household, orphans, and widows could buy a lottery chance and win land.

**Participants could get more than one ticket based on age, marital status and war service

Georgia legislators were bribed by land companies to sell the land near the Yazoo River (located in present-day Mississippi) well below its real value. Nearly 35 million acres were "sold" to 4 private land companies at 2 cents an acre! The land was then sold again for huge profits.

*When the bribes were discovered, the legislators were voted out of office.