The initial purpose of the Georgia Colony, established by James Oglethorpe in 1732, was to provide a fresh start for debtors and the poor who faced imprisonment for their debts in Britain. Oglethorpe envisioned Georgia as a place of refuge and opportunity, where individuals could work to pay off their debts without the desperate conditions of existing colonies. Additionally, Georgia served as a buffer between the British colonies and Spanish Florida, offering strategic military advantages. This unique foundation set Georgia apart from other colonies, promoting ideals of social reform and helping to alleviate the problem of overcrowding in British prisons.