Yazoo lands facts for kids
The Yazoo lands were a large area of land in the United States. They were located in the central and western parts of the state of Georgia. Back then, Georgia's western border stretched all the way to the Mississippi River. This land was named after the Yazoo nation. They were a Native American group who lived near the lower part of the Yazoo River. This area is now part of the state of Mississippi.
What Were the Yazoo Lands?
The Yazoo lands were a huge territory. They covered much of what is now Alabama and Mississippi. However, they did not include a southern part called Spanish West Florida. This area was controlled by Spain at the time. Also, a small strip of land in the north was claimed by South Carolina. This strip became the border counties with Tennessee.
A Big Land Dispute
In the 1790s, the Yazoo lands became famous for a major political problem. This problem was known as the Yazoo land scandal. It involved the state of Georgia and land companies. These companies wanted to buy large sections of the Yazoo lands.
How the Dispute Ended
The dispute over the Yazoo lands was a big deal. It led to Georgia giving up its claim to the land. Georgia gave these lands to the U.S. government. This happened in a special agreement called the Compact of 1802. After this, the U.S. government took control of the Yazoo lands.
