James Oglethorpe arrived in what is now Georgia in 1733 and established the colony of Georgia for the British Empire. He selected a site on the Savannah River to build the city of Savannah, which would serve as the capital of the new colony. Oglethorpe and his colonists aimed to create a haven for debtors and the poor, providing them with a fresh start. The city of Savannah was designed with a grid system of streets and public squares, featuring gardens and open spaces. Oglethorpe also established peaceful relations with the local Native American tribes and enforced strict laws against slavery and alcohol, in an effort to create a society based on egalitarian principles. This event marked the founding of Georgia as a British colony and the establishment of the historic city of Savannah.
