USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The burning of the Yazoo Act, which resulted in the Yazoo land fraud of 1795, took place on the grounds of the capitol building in Louisville. Louisville served as the state capital from 1796 until 1806, when the legislature moved to Milledgeville.

Detailed explanation-2: -More than 200 years ago, many of Georgia’s highest elected officials were linked to a massive land sale scheme so unpopular they were driven from office and the paperwork authorizing the effort – the oddly named Yazoo Act – was publicly burned Feb. 15, 1796, in Louisville, then the state capital.

Detailed explanation-3: -Georgia was too weak after the Revolution to defend its vast western land claims, called the “Yazoo lands” after the river that flowed through the westernmost part. Consequently, the legislature listened eagerly to proposals from speculators willing to pay for the right to form settlements there.

Detailed explanation-4: -The burning of the Yazoo Act took place on the grounds of the capitol building in Louisville, the state capital from 1796 until 1806. In 1802, Georgia transferred the land and the Yazoo claims to the federal government for $1.25 million.

Detailed explanation-5: -Reportedly, the desire to move the capital also arose out of a concern about malaria in the Louisville area. In 1802 Creek lands west of Louisville were ceded to Georgia. No sooner had this territory been divided into counties than a drive to move the seat of government was again initiated.