Final answer:
The Georgia Colony was founded primarily for economic expansion, religious freedom, defense against Spanish invasion, and philanthropic goals, including serving as a haven for the 'worthy poor' and experimenting with social reforms such as banning alcohol and slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The colony of Georgia was established for several reasons, contributing to its distinction as the last of the original thirteen colonies. Economic expansion was a motive, as Georgia was seen as a location for growing luxury items like wine and silk, although these industries did not succeed as planned. Moreover, the founding charter emphasized religious freedom for all Protestants, demonstrated by the inclusion of religious refugees, but specifically excluded Catholics and suffered tension when Jewish refugees settled in Savannah.
Defensive purposes were paramount, with Georgia serving as a military buffer against Spanish Florida, which also involved forming a militia force from the settlers to defend British interests. Lastly, philanthropic aspirations were core to its founding: English politician, social reformer, and colony founder James Oglethorpe envisioned Georgia as a haven for the 'worthy poor' and an alternative to debtor's prison. As part of its social experimentation, Georgia initially banned alcohol and slavery under the trustee system, though these provisions did not last long.
While the exact intentions behind the founding of Georgia encompassed a range of goals, defense against Spanish invasion, economic attempts, and a unique blend of social and philanthropic experimentation fashioned the foundation of this last colonial endeavor.