The Georgia Platform
Who was involved? Think about the people or groups who were involved and affected by this event.
What happened? Summarize the event!
Where did the event take place?
When did the event take place?
Why is this event important to Georgia’s history?
The Georgia Platform was a political statement made in 1850 by a group of Georgia politicians who were concerned about the growing tensions over the issue of slavery in the United States. The primary individuals involved in this event were the politicians from Georgia, including Alexander Stephens, Robert Toombs, and Howell Cobb.
The event involved the drafting and issuance of the Georgia Platform, which was a response to the Compromise of 1850. The Compromise of 1850 attempted to address the issue of slavery by admitting California as a free state, organizing the territories of New Mexico and Utah without any specific mention of slavery, and strengthening the Fugitive Slave Act. The Georgia Platform, in contrast, sought to protect the interests of slaveholders and the institution of slavery. It declared that Georgia would oppose any interference from the federal government regarding slavery, and also stated that Georgia would remain loyal to the Union as long as the government upheld the rights of slaveholding states.
The event took place in Milledgeville, Georgia, which was the state capital at the time.
The Georgia Platform was issued on December 10, 1850.
This event is important to Georgia's history because it highlights the deep divide and strong support for slavery within the state. It also showcases Georgia's commitment to protecting the institution of slavery and ensuring state sovereignty. The Georgia Platform reflected the sentiments of many southern states and helped set the stage for the tensions and conflicts that would eventually lead to the American Civil War.