Georgia Studies Digital Textbook - Student Edition

Unit 1 – Setting the Stage

Georgia’s geographic characteristics are discussed with a focus on five major themes of geography, including natural resources, minerals, water, and weather.

Chapter 1: Let’s Talk Geography
Chapter 2: The Land of Georgia

Unit 2 – Before It Was Georgia

The archaeological history of the state from prehistoric to colonial Georgia is explored, including a survey of native civilizations and the effects of European contact, exploration, and settlement.

Chapter 3: Let’s Talk History
Chapter 4: Georgia’s Prehistoric Past
Chapter 5: Europe Discovers the New Word

Unit 3 – Colonial Georgia

Georgia was first settled by the British and transitioned from a trustee to a royal colony during its formative years. Early colonial life and culture are surveyed, with profiles of Georgia’s diverse inhabitants and comparisons between different colonial regions of North America.

Chapter 6: The Founding of Georgia
Chapter 7: Life of the People in Colonial Georgia

Unit 4 – The Pioneer Spirit

Georgia’s role in the American Revolution, its transition to a state within the republic and subsequent expansion, along with the removal of Native Americans, are discussed.

Chapter 8: The American Revolution and Georgia Statehood
Chapter 9: Growth and Prosperity
Chapter 10: Conflict Over Indian Lands

Unit 5 – Divided Nation

Covering the period surrounding the Civil War, from Antebellum to Reconstruction Georgia, this unit discusses life in pre-war Georgia, the state’s role in the Civil War, and how Georgia ultimately approached its reintegration with the Union.

Chapter 11: Life of the People in Antebellum Society
Chapter 12: A Nation Comes Apart
Chapter 13: The Civil War
Chapter 14: Reconstruction Comes to Georgia

Unit 6 – Georgia Enters the Second Century

Georgia and the New South are explored in the context of Reconstruction, including the competing visions for advancing southern politics and the economy, as well as challenges experienced in assimilating and moving the region forward.

Chapter 15: Political and Social Change in the New South
Chapter 16: Life of the People in a Changing Society

Unit 7 – Rise of Modern Georgia

The transformations of the first four decades of the twentieth century are detailed, from technological and industrial changes to forces that moved Georgians from a rural to a more urban state. Georgia’s role in World War I and II and its experiences during the Great Depression and the New Deal are also detailed.

Chapter 17: Boom and Bust
Chapter 18: The New Deal and World War II

Unit 8 – Modern Georgia

From the end of WWII to the present day, Georgia is surveyed according to its role in the Cold War and the Civil Rights movement, along with the state’s political and economic modernization and growth.

Chapter 19: Georgia Moves Into the Modern Era
Chapter 20: The Civil Rights Movement
Chapter 21: Georgia’s New Place in the Sun
Chapter 22: Georgia’s Cultural Heritage

Unit 9 – American Government and Citizenship

Citizenship and America’s federal government are surveyed, discussing the constitutional system of government in both a national and state context, and the many facets of our political system — including the role of opposing parties in government.

Chapter 23: Let’s Talk Government
Chapter 24: Constitutional Government
Chapter 25: Citizens and Government

Unit 10 – State and Local Government

A closer look at Georgia’s state and local governments is offered, detailing the role, organization, and powers of each of the three branches of government.

Chapter 26: State Government – The Legislature
Chapter 27: State Government – The Executive Branch
Chapter 28: State Government – The Judicial Branch
Chapter 29: Local Government – Cities, Counties, Special Districts
Chapter 30: Local Government – Serving People Close to Home