What is the leading cause of conflict between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in Georgia?

The leading cause of conflict between Indigenous peoples and European settlers in Georgia revolves primarily around land disputes. The expansion of European settlements fundamentally altered the landscape and usage of territory that Indigenous communities had depended on for generations. Indigenous peoples viewed land as a communal resource to be shared, whereas European settlers perceived land as a commodity to be owned and exploited for agriculture and development.

As settlers moved into Georgia, they often disregarded the existing land rights of Indigenous nations, resulting in treaties that were frequently uneven and not honored by the colonists. This disregard for Indigenous land claims led to significant tensions and outright violence as Indigenous peoples sought to defend their territory and way of life. Consequently, land disputes became a critical flashpoint in the relationships between Native Americans and European settlers, ultimately shaping the course of Georgia's early history.

Other factors, such as trade disagreements or cultural differences, may have contributed to tensions but were often secondary to the overarching issue of land ownership and control. Understanding this context is key to grasping the complexities of settler-Indigenous relations in Georgia during this period.