The Peach State's Peculiar Population Problem: Counting Folks (Who Weren't Exactly Folks) in Georgia 1790-1860
Ah, Georgia. The land of peaches, peanuts, and a bit of a...complicated history when it comes to headcounts. We're not talking about your average census woes here. This is about a dark stain on American history: slavery. So, buckle up, history buffs (and history avoiders, we won't judge), because we're about to delve into the not-so-rosy figures of enslaved people in Georgia from 1790 to 1860.
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| How Many Slaves Were There In Georgia In 1790 In 1860 |
1790: A Modest Start (But Still a Big Yikes)
In 1790, Georgia was still figuring out the whole cotton plantation thing. Think of it as the dial on the "number of enslaved people needed" knob being turned up from "meh" to "oh boy." The official count sits around 29,264 enslaved people. Not exactly a population boom for folks who weren't exactly free.
1860: The Boom Nobody Bragged About
Fast forward 70 years. Cotton's king, and Georgia's not messing around. The number of enslaved people has skyrocketed to a staggering 462,198. That's more than a tenfold increase! Yikes. This surge is thanks in part to a booming internal slave trade, where people were treated like property, shipped in from other states to fuel the cotton-picking machine.
Tip: Keep the flow, don’t jump randomly.
But hey, at least the peaches were good, right? (Right? Guys? Anyone?)
So, Why Does This Matter?
This massive increase in enslaved people reflects the South's dependence on slave labor and the brutality of the institution. It's a stark reminder of the human cost behind economic growth based on human bondage.
QuickTip: Compare this post with what you already know.
Fun Fact (Because Not Everything Can Be Solemn)
While we can't exactly celebrate this, it is interesting to note that Georgia actually outlawed the importation of enslaved Africans in 1793. Apparently, Georgia wasn't a fan of the "fresh-off-the-boat" model. (Although, to be clear, any model of slavery is pretty awful.)
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FAQ: You Asked, We (Hopefully) Answered
How to learn more about slavery in Georgia?
QuickTip: Focus on one paragraph at a time.
- Check out the New Georgia Encyclopedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_slavery_in_Georgia) for a great resource.
How to know if your ancestors were enslaved?
- This can be tricky, but there are resources available. The National Archives (https://www.archives.gov/) is a good place to start.
How to talk to your family about this sensitive topic?
Tip: Skim only after you’ve read fully once.
- Be open, honest, and respectful. The Equal Justice Initiative (https://eji.org/) has some great resources for facilitating conversations about race.
How to make sure this dark chapter of history isn't repeated?
- Educate yourself and others. Support organizations working for racial justice.
How to appreciate a good Georgia peach without feeling guilty?
- That one might be a bit tougher. Maybe try a local farmer's market and learn about their labor practices? Just a thought.
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