Georgia’s Land Rush: Headright System, the Yazoo Land Fraud, and Land Lotteries | Georgia Stories

Explore how land distribution shaped Georgia’s early history. From the headright system through the Yazoo Land Fraud and land lotteries, these policies determined who gained land, who lost it, and how the state expanded. It shows how land ownership was tied to power and population growth, and how conflict, corruption, and political decisions influenced Georgia’s borders and development in the 1700s and 1800s.

The resource highlights the impact of these land policies on various groups of people and invites learners to consider the challenges, controversies, and long-term consequences of how land was allocated. Accompanying guiding questions and teaching materials help students connect these historical events to broader themes in Georgia Studies and US History.

NOTE: The closed captions are also available in Spanish.