The Royal Colony of Georgia SS8H2d Explain the transition of Georgia into a royal colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, alcohol, and government.

Recap In 1752, Georgia’s Trustees gave their charter back to King George II. This was ONE year before the original charter expired. Georgia became a Royal Colony, under the direct rule of the King of England.

What is the role of a Royal Governor? The King of England appointed a Royal Governor to represent him in Georgia. Georgia was allowed some self-government with a legislature called the House of Assembly The Royal Governor had final authority on ALL MATTERS and answered only to the King!

Proprietary vs Royal Proprietary Colony – a colony that was governed by a board of trustees. Ex: Georgia was a proprietary colony from 1732 – 1752. Royal Colony – a colony directly governed by the King. Ex: Georgia became a royal colony when the trustees ended their charter with the King in 1752 and remained that way until the end of the Revolutionary War in 1783.

Governor John Reynolds 1754 - 1756 Former Naval Officer Welcomed by the colonists Positive Contributions: 1. Created a General Assembly promoting self-government. 2. Created a bicameral legislature 3. Set up a court system: Court of Conscience 4. Created laws: Required males 16 to 60 to be organized in a militia Required all males to work on roads at least 12 hours a day

Reynolds' downfall Land ownership determined government participation 50 acres to vote 500 to be in legislature He resisted any challenge to his authority and dissolved the legislature when he felt his authority was threatened. Ruled as a commander instead of a civil office. Angry colonists wrote to King George complaining about Reynolds’ actions, which led to his recall in 1756.

Henry Ellis 1757 - 1760 Naturalist and a scientist More popular than Reynolds Positive Contributions: Divided Georgia into 8 parishes Indian Relations Created workable friendship with leaders of Creek nation Managed trade agreements between Creek and local traders Encouraged stability in the colony. Weaknesses/End of Term: Left office after becoming ill in 1760

James Wright 1760-1781 History: 3rd Royal governor Practicing attorney Plantation owner in South Carolina Positive Contributions: Encouraged natives to cede land to the colony Expanded land ownership and trade Completed defensive palisades around Savannah and strengthened forts Weaknesses/End of Term: Maintained loyalty to Britain Enforced the Stamp Act Tried to keep the revolutionary spirit out of Georgia Forced to flee during the revolution Courtesy of Hargrett Rare Book and Manuscript Library, University of Georgia Libraries

Changes as a Royal Colony Georgia had the shortest colonial period and was the least developed. The economic success of the colony immediately improved with the removal of the economic restrictions

Changes as a Royal Colony The Rum Act was repealed in 1749 Women were allowed to own land No land limits No laws against slavery Land was gained from American Indians Economic Impacts on the Georgia Colony: Development of large plantations. Farmers and merchants became wealthy Savannah became a major port city exporting goods to England Georgia’s population grew due to the number of slaves need to work the land: 1750 - Slave population increased to 500 1775- Slave population increased to 18,000

Georgia’s Colonial Exports Silk- some success with help of Salzburgers and Italians. Eventually replaced by cotton Rice- Georgia’s first staple crop. With the end of the ban of slavery, rice plantations were established and increased to 40,000 acres along the rice rivers (Savannah, Ogeechee, Altamaha, and Satila) Indigo- bluish purple die peaked in 1770 with exporting 22,000 pounds Other colonial products included: timber, fur, tobacco

Georgia Crackers Some new settlers were considered undesirable by the established colonist and were given the derogatory name “crackers.” They settled the western frontier of the colony. More settlers improved Georgia’s economy and increased the colony’s borders.