The Georgia colony was founded in 1732 by James Oglethorpe after King George of England granted a charter. The intended purposes of the colony were to provide a barrier between Spanish lands and the other colonies, as well as to provide a place for men who were very poor or in jail due to debt. In reality, however, the colony was populated mainly by poor workers from England and Scotland, as well as refugees from Switzerland and Germany. The population had proportionally fewer English citizens than any other at the time. Religiously, there was a limited Jewish population in the colony, and Catholics were banned. Catholicism was not allowed to be practiced for fear that citizens would consort with the rival Spanish in the south (who were also Catholics). Along with Catholics, Africans were also prohibited, because Oglethorpe did not want to rely on slaves and produce slave revolutions. The colony also did not trade with Native Americans in order to evade conflict. Instead of relying on trade, the economy was based instead on cash crops. These crops included rice, indigo, and cotton, and grew extremely well due to the fertile soil and warm climate. Although Oglethorpe ruled the colony, there was no legislative system in place, which caused problems between citizens and Oglethorpe.
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