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? Governor’s Role/Powers: (add two bullets to your notes page) Grant land Call legislative sessions Pardon crimes Spend funds Commander in Chief The Royal Colony: (add this to the right of the governor’s roles on your notes page) The King of England appointed a Royal Governor to represent him in Georgia The royal government included a 12-member council appointed by the king called The Governor’s Council Georgia was allowed some self-government with a legislature called the Commons House of Assembly

(Record these two definitions somewhere on your notes page) Proprietary vs Royal (Record these two definitions somewhere on your notes page) Proprietary (Trustee) 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 History: Former Naval Officer Welcomed by the colonists Positive Contributions: Governor during the French and Indian War Created a plan for defense, but funding was denied Weakness: 1. Governed the colony as a military 2. Dismissed council when they did not agree with his decisions 3. He was removed from the position

Henry Ellis 1757 - 1760 History Positive Contributions: Naturalist and a scientist More popular than Reynolds Positive Contributions: Ordered forts to be built for defense Divided Georgia into 8 parishes Allowed taxes to be levied for charity, road maintenance and churches Made friendship pledge with Indians Improved economy Weaknesses/End of Term: Removed from office after 3 years due to his inability to govern as a civil officer rather than a military commander

James Wright 1760-1781 History: South Carolina’s attorney general Plantation owner in South Carolina Positive Contributions: Grew population and wealth Encouraged natives to cede land to the colony Treaty of August- 3 million acres 2nd treaty- 2 million acres Maintained peaceful relation with natives Expanded land ownership and trade 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 (Record these two bullets on the “Georgia as a Royal Colony” side of your notes page) 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 Five Changes: 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 dye 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.