Why was the signing of the Yazoo Act by Governor George Matthews of Georgia in 1795 controversial?
The Yazoo Act was passed in order to create a new, non-slave, state out of the western portion of Georgia.
The Yazoo land was in the eastern portion of the state and its sale would have landlocked the state if approved.
The Yazoo land was home to large American Indian tribes which were relocated to areas claimed by white Georgians.
The Yazoo Act was passed as a result of the corruption and bribery of numerous public officials and influential Georgians.