What was the primary aim of the Land Lottery System in Georgia?

The primary aim of the Land Lottery System in Georgia was to disperse public lands to small yeoman farmers based on eligibility and chance. This system, which began in the early 19th century, was designed to provide opportunities for ordinary citizens, particularly those who were not wealthy or part of the established elite. The lottery was a method of selecting individuals who would receive land, thereby promoting the idea of equality of opportunity in land ownership.

By allocating land through a lottery system, Georgia aimed to encourage settlement and development by individuals who would cultivate the land and contribute to the state's agricultural economy. This reflected the values of the time, emphasizing hard work and self-sufficiency among a populace of small landowners rather than concentrating land ownership in the hands of a few wealthy individuals. The intent was to create a class of independent farmers who would strengthen the state's economy and social structure.

The other options, such as distributing land to wealthy plantation owners, promoting urban development, or selling lands to foreign investors, do not align with the fundamental purpose of the Land Lottery System, which was specifically aimed at improving access to land for common citizens.