Which group of people was initially banned from settling in Georgia?

The group that was initially banned from settling in Georgia were slaves. When the colony of Georgia was founded in 1732 by James Oglethorpe and a group of trustees, one of their key principles was to establish a society based on economic opportunity and philanthropy for the poor in England. This vision included creating a settlement that would be different from the slave-dependent economies of neighboring colonies like South Carolina.

As part of these founding principles, the trustees implemented a ban on slavery in Georgia for several years, believing that it would promote a more equitable society and enable independent farming. This policy reflected the Enlightenment ideals prevalent at the time, encouraging hard work and self-sufficiency. The ban on slavery was a significant point of distinction for Georgia during its early years.

The policy changed in subsequent years due to economic pressures and the need for labor on plantations, leading to the eventual introduction of slavery in Georgia. The initial ban was a reflection of the trustees' aspirations for the colony and a conscious decision to create a different kind of society in colonial America.