Georgia

Georgia was the last of the thirteen English colonies to be planted in America. It was founded in 1733. The territory was named in honour of King George II of England.

Georgia was launched by a great British philanthropist, General James Oglethorpe. Oglethorpe had visited some English prisons where people were put for debts. He saw hundreds of debtors suffering there from cold and hunger. It was always damp and dark in their cells, and many prisoners fell sick or even died there.

James Oglethorpe decided to struggle for prison reform after one of his friends had died in a debtor's jail. He thought that a debtor could not liberate himself, as he could not earn money while being imprisoned. Oglethorpe wanted to launch a colony in America, where the prisoners could be sent to get a new start in life.

Some of highly-minded noblemen liked his idea and formed a colonizing company with Oglethorpe. They asked the king to grant them a piece of land west and south of the Savannah River.

The first settlers came to Georgia in 1733. The king gave money for taking them to America on board the ship "Anne". The first settlement they founded in Georgia was named Savannah.

The land along the Atlantic coast of Georgia was swampy. It was suitable for rice raising. Georgia abandoned in mulberry trees, and Oglethorpe decided to raise silkworms there. The colonists were taught to weave silk.

Oglethorpe governed the colony. He made the settlers work hard. No slaves were allowed in Georgia. Each of the colonists possessed a small farm and was to work in the fields from dawn till dark.

The governor made friends with the local Native Americans, and they supplied the settlers with meat and honey. The Georgians and the Indians lived peacefully side by side for many years.

However, the Spaniards were eager to drive the English out of Georgia. They thought its territory to be theirs. Oglethorpe was an able military leader, and he repelled all the Spanish attacks.

Having spent ten years in Georgia, Oglethorpe went back to England. Soon after his departure the life of the colony changed. Slaves were brought in, small farms ceased to exist, and large plantations were started instead.

Oglethorpe was much grieved to know his noble plan had failed. He gave back the royal charter for governing the colony, and in 1752 Georgia got a governor appointed by the king.

Georgia developed very slowly, and was the least populous of the British colonies. But all the same it was very important for Britain, as it protected the prosperous Carolinas from Spaniards living in Florida.

Notes:

George II of England - Георг IIАнглийский (1683-1760)

philanthropist — филантроп

James Oglethorpe — Джеймс Оглторп (1696-1785)

cell — камера

could not liberate himself, as he could not earn money while being imprisoned — не мог освободиться, поскольку не мог заработать денег, пока находился в тюрьме

to get a new start in life — начать жизнь сначала

Georgia abandoned in mulberry trees — Джорджия изоби­ловала тутовыми деревьями

to raise silkworms — разводить шелковичных червей

to repel — отражать

was much grieved to know his noble plan had failed — был

сильно опечален, когда узнал, что его благородный план рухнул

the least populous — наименее населенная

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

A great British philanthropist, to struggle for prison reform after one of his friends, to launch a colony in America, the prisoners could be sent to get a new start in life, the first settlers, the Atlantic coast of Georgia, Oglethorpe governed the colony, the local Native Americans.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

To raise silkworms, the least populous, cell, George II of England, his noble plan, the prosperous Carolinas from Spaniards.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

The governor, friends, local, Native Americans, the settlers, with meat and honey, the Georgians and the Indians, peacefully, side by side, many years.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. When was Georgia planted?

2. Who launched Georgia?

3. What made James Oglethorpe struggle for prison reform?

4. What was the land in Georgia suitable for?

5. Why were the colonists taught to weave silk?

6. Why did the colonists fight with the Spanish?

7. Was Oglethorpe satisfied with the results of his experiment?