Georgia History Exemption Exam
Questions and Answers
Fall Line - Answer- - the point on a river where there is an abrupt drop in elevation
of the land and where numerous waterfalls occur.
- it is the ancient coastline of the southern tier of North America when sea-levels wer
higher
- Navigation up-stream beyond this feature stops
- ultimately towns located just beyond this natural boundary were important river
ports (like Macon)
- The line in the eastern US is located where streams pass from harder to softer
rocks.[E - M.Y.]
Georgia capitals - Answer- Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville, Atlanta
Atlanta - Answer- - Largest city in Georgia and the Deep South
- Capital of modern Georgia
- originally named Terminus, as it became the South's most important rail hub and
manufacturing center;
- set ablaze by General Sherman
James Wright - Answer- Georgia's 3rd (and last) Royal Governor. He was
extremely popular and successful
Indigo, Silk - Answer- - Brought to GA by Europeans
- became a new major cash crop
Hernando de Soto - Answer- Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first
European expedition deep into the modern-day Southeastern United States (Florida,
Georgia, Alabama and most likely Arkansas) in 1540, and the first documented
European to have crossed the Mississippi River.
Salzburgers - Answer- Some of the first immigrants to the new Georgia colony in
the 1730's From Austria came to Georgia to escape religious persecution (they were
protestants, not Catholics) settled Ebenezer/New Ebenezer opposed slavery
James Oglethorpe - Answer- Founder of Savannah (1733), and governor of the
Georgia colony. He ran a tightly-disciplined, military-like colony. Slaves, alcohol, and
Catholicism were forbidden in his colony. Many colonists felt that he was a dictator,
and that (along with the colonist's dissatisfaction over not being allowed to own
slaves) caused the colony to break down and he to lose his position as governor.
, Georgia Trustees - Answer- They gave out land between the Savannah and
Altamaha Rivers. They also prohibited having rum and owning African Slaves.
Scottish Highlanders - Answer- - Added protection to GAs southern border
- fought with Oglethorpe to fight off the Spanish
Fletcher v. Peck - Answer- (1810) First time the Supreme Court ruled a state law
unconstitutional. It protected property rights and allowed the invalidation of state
laws that conflicted with the Constitution.
Worcester v. Georgia - Answer- (1832) US Supreme Court (esp. Frank Marshall)
held that Cherokee Native Americans were entitled to federal protection from the
actions of state governments which would infringe on the tribe's sovereignty. Ignored
blatantly by Andrew Jackson
Battle of Bloody Marsh - Answer- In 1742, Oglethorpe's forces, along with help
from the Highland Scots, surprised Spanish troops at St. Simon's Is;and and forced
them back across the Florida border. This marked the beginning of a safe southern
frontier for the British.
Battle of Kettle Creek - Answer- First colonial victory in Georgia on Feb. 14, 1779;
important to Georgia because it increased morale and the militia was able to take
horses and much needed weapons from the British
Yazoo Land Fraud - Answer- This scandal that took place in Georgia in the early
1800's & resulted in Georgia losing much land in what is now Alabama and
Mississippi
- Also made the western border of Georgia the Chattahoochee River?
James Vann - Answer- In 1800, while on an East Coast trip that included a visit to
Washington, D.C., Vann met a group of Moravian missionaries from North Carolina
who desired to spread the Gospel and teach Cherokee children. Vann convinced
them to move to Spring Place, south of the soon-to-be-built Vann House, to start a
mission and school. He presented his idea to the tribal council, in part so his two-
year old son Joseph might attend. That autumn the Moravians would have a school.
Many of the mixed-blood Cherokee supported Vann. The council vote was in favor
of the Moravians.
Joseph Vann - Answer- Cherokee plantation owner, son of Chief James Vann,
who had his land confiscated because he hired a white man to work for him
Siege of Savannah - Answer- American Revolution battle in GA; loss for Georgia
as the militia and continental army failed to retake GA's capital city from British
control
Questions and Answers
Fall Line - Answer- - the point on a river where there is an abrupt drop in elevation
of the land and where numerous waterfalls occur.
- it is the ancient coastline of the southern tier of North America when sea-levels wer
higher
- Navigation up-stream beyond this feature stops
- ultimately towns located just beyond this natural boundary were important river
ports (like Macon)
- The line in the eastern US is located where streams pass from harder to softer
rocks.[E - M.Y.]
Georgia capitals - Answer- Savannah, Augusta, Louisville, Milledgeville, Atlanta
Atlanta - Answer- - Largest city in Georgia and the Deep South
- Capital of modern Georgia
- originally named Terminus, as it became the South's most important rail hub and
manufacturing center;
- set ablaze by General Sherman
James Wright - Answer- Georgia's 3rd (and last) Royal Governor. He was
extremely popular and successful
Indigo, Silk - Answer- - Brought to GA by Europeans
- became a new major cash crop
Hernando de Soto - Answer- Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first
European expedition deep into the modern-day Southeastern United States (Florida,
Georgia, Alabama and most likely Arkansas) in 1540, and the first documented
European to have crossed the Mississippi River.
Salzburgers - Answer- Some of the first immigrants to the new Georgia colony in
the 1730's From Austria came to Georgia to escape religious persecution (they were
protestants, not Catholics) settled Ebenezer/New Ebenezer opposed slavery
James Oglethorpe - Answer- Founder of Savannah (1733), and governor of the
Georgia colony. He ran a tightly-disciplined, military-like colony. Slaves, alcohol, and
Catholicism were forbidden in his colony. Many colonists felt that he was a dictator,
and that (along with the colonist's dissatisfaction over not being allowed to own
slaves) caused the colony to break down and he to lose his position as governor.
, Georgia Trustees - Answer- They gave out land between the Savannah and
Altamaha Rivers. They also prohibited having rum and owning African Slaves.
Scottish Highlanders - Answer- - Added protection to GAs southern border
- fought with Oglethorpe to fight off the Spanish
Fletcher v. Peck - Answer- (1810) First time the Supreme Court ruled a state law
unconstitutional. It protected property rights and allowed the invalidation of state
laws that conflicted with the Constitution.
Worcester v. Georgia - Answer- (1832) US Supreme Court (esp. Frank Marshall)
held that Cherokee Native Americans were entitled to federal protection from the
actions of state governments which would infringe on the tribe's sovereignty. Ignored
blatantly by Andrew Jackson
Battle of Bloody Marsh - Answer- In 1742, Oglethorpe's forces, along with help
from the Highland Scots, surprised Spanish troops at St. Simon's Is;and and forced
them back across the Florida border. This marked the beginning of a safe southern
frontier for the British.
Battle of Kettle Creek - Answer- First colonial victory in Georgia on Feb. 14, 1779;
important to Georgia because it increased morale and the militia was able to take
horses and much needed weapons from the British
Yazoo Land Fraud - Answer- This scandal that took place in Georgia in the early
1800's & resulted in Georgia losing much land in what is now Alabama and
Mississippi
- Also made the western border of Georgia the Chattahoochee River?
James Vann - Answer- In 1800, while on an East Coast trip that included a visit to
Washington, D.C., Vann met a group of Moravian missionaries from North Carolina
who desired to spread the Gospel and teach Cherokee children. Vann convinced
them to move to Spring Place, south of the soon-to-be-built Vann House, to start a
mission and school. He presented his idea to the tribal council, in part so his two-
year old son Joseph might attend. That autumn the Moravians would have a school.
Many of the mixed-blood Cherokee supported Vann. The council vote was in favor
of the Moravians.
Joseph Vann - Answer- Cherokee plantation owner, son of Chief James Vann,
who had his land confiscated because he hired a white man to work for him
Siege of Savannah - Answer- American Revolution battle in GA; loss for Georgia
as the militia and continental army failed to retake GA's capital city from British
control
