Royal Colony of Georgia(1752-1776)
33c - assess the development of Georgia as royal colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, government, and the impact of the Royal Governors of Georgia
Royal Colony- Land Ownership
Georgia's border increased to the St. Mary's and Savannah River. Social classes soon developed. When Georgia was a Royal Colony, Georgia colonists could have their own land and they could buy slaves. There were large plantations that were built near rivers, so there would be fertile soil. Georgia's colonists grew silk, rice, peas, indigo, corn, wheat and tobacco. Wealthy merchants traded in Savannah. Without the strict rules enforced by the Trustees, many colonists became really wealthy. The Royal Governors allowed many privileges that were once banned by the Trustees, such as having rum, and now females could inherit land. Males above the age of 18 could vote.
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Royal Colony- Slavery
Slave Labor was the backbone of the Agricultural economy in Georgia. When Georgia became a Royal Colony, many of the people who had left, returned. Out of the 3000 colonists, a third were slaves. Many slaves worked in the Rice Fields. Many believed that slavery was essential for the well being of the Georgia colony. Slaves had no private lives of their own. From 1750-1775, the slaves population increased from around 500, to around 18,000 almost 36 times the original amount! Only the rich and wealthy plantation owner could afford to buy slaves. Most of the slave labor came from Africa.
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Royal Colony- Government
The government that was introduced by the Royal Governors was much different than the original Trustee Government. The King appointed Royal Governors. Trustee laws were repealed. The colonists created a bicameral legislature, which is a two-house system. White males above the age of 18 could vote, and the colonists had more say. There was also a court system.
On October 1st, 1754, Georgia got its 1st Royal Governor. They had the right to vote, hold elections, and collect taxes. You had to own 50 acres of land to vote. Members of the Assembly needed 500 acres of land. During this time, the French and Indian War began in a dispute over land in North America.
On October 1st, 1754, Georgia got its 1st Royal Governor. They had the right to vote, hold elections, and collect taxes. You had to own 50 acres of land to vote. Members of the Assembly needed 500 acres of land. During this time, the French and Indian War began in a dispute over land in North America.
Captain John Reynolds (1754-1756)
John Reynolds was the 1st Royal Governor of Georgia, He arrived on October 1st, 1754. He was a former navy captain, and he introduced self government. He helped the colonists run the government, unlike the Trustees. He also helped set up a court system. It was called the Court of Conscience. Unsettle cases were brought to the Governor's Council.
Captain John Reynolds represented the King in Georgia. He only answered to the King. He was very stern. He was extremely unpopular and confrontational. He was also ineffective. He had poor relations with the natives. The colonists petitioned the king to remove John Reynolds from office, and the King finally kicked John Reynolds out of office. |
Henry Ellis (1757-1760)
He was the 2nd Royal Governor of Georgia. He became governor in February of 1757. Before he was governor, he was an explorer. He used to lead expeditions. He was genuinely concerned about Georgia. He reformed the colony and set up the government better than John Reynolds. He set up the bicameral legislature. He divided Georgia into parishes. He was well liked and respected. He also taught the colonists self-government, budgets, and defense. He was popular with the legislature, Indians, and colonists. He made better relations with the Natives.
He brought together people of different political groups. New colonists from South Carolina and West Indies came. He became ill in 1759.He actually opted out due to his illness. He also thought Savannah was too hot and he took an umbrella to shade himself from the heat. He later became governor of Nova Scotia in 1761. A square in Savannah is named after him. He was described as being "active, sensible, and honest." |
Sir James Wright (1760-1776)
James was born in Charleston, South Carolina, but he was educated in Great Britain. He came to Georgia as a Lieutenant governor on October 11, 1760. He was attorney general in South Carolina for 21 years. He wanted to expand trade. He proposed that Savannah should be surrounded by palisades, which are fences made of sharpened stakes. Georgia grew rich.
He was the most powerful, popular, and most successful governor of the 3. He built a good relationship with the colonial legislature, negotiated treaties with the Indians, and opened millions of acres for settlement. Under him. Georgia prospered and grew faster than any other colony. He helped increase the size of Georgia after the French and Indian War. Slaves were extensively used and the population increased under his guidance. He was the last Royal Governor of Georgia. However, while he was Royal Governor of Georgia, the Georgia colonists wanted political and economic freedom from Great Britain. |