Georgia as a Royal Colony King George II Takes Control

Oglethorpe and the Trustees A proprietary (or Trustee) colony was a colony directed by those to whom a charter had been granted. Unfortunately, Oglethorpe’s dream was not fulfilled. Few debtors reached Georgia Economy was a failure People were unhappy with the Trustees’ rules

The Georgia Colony

Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony Georgia became a royal colony in the year 1752. A royal colony was a colony directly governed by the King. When this happened, people who had left the proprietary (Trustee) colony moved back, often bringing slaves with them.

New Seal for Georgia This new seal is a symbol of Georgia’s role in Great Britain’s plan of mercantilism. It was hoped that Georgia would become a great producer of silk and other raw materials for the crown.

Changes in a Royal Colony During the Trustee (or proprietary) period, the trustees believed that the first Georgia settlers were not able to govern themselves. The settlers were not given the right to vote, hold elections, or collect taxes. This all changes when Georgia becomes a royal colony.

The First Royal Governor Georgia’s first royal governor, Captain John Reynolds, arrived on October 1, 1754. Governor Reynolds is appointed by King George II Unlike the Trustees, Governor Reynolds believed that the colonists were able to govern themselves and he wanted the colonists to help run the government. Reynolds was greeted in Georgia by cheering crowds.

Royal Governor John Reynolds

Thumbs Up OR Down In a proprietary colony, Georgians were allowed to govern themselves.

The Legislative Body A bicameral, or two chamber, legislature was set up to represent the eight parishes of the colony. A parish was both a church and a British government district. The two chambers of the new government were called the Commons House of Assembly and the Governor’s Council.

Georgia Parishes

Thumbs Up OR Down As a royal colony, the new Georgia government created a bicameral legislature (a two house law making body).

The Lower House The lower house was the Commons House of Assembly. This house was made up colonists who wanted to participate in the government, but they had to own at least 500 acres of land to do so.

Thumbs Up OR Down People are elected to serve in the Commons House of Assembly.

The Upper House The upper house was the Governor’s Council and these men were appointed by the King of England. Their 4 main jobs were to: Advise the Governor Approve land grants Make laws Act as judges when needed

Thumbs Up OR Down People are elected to serve in the Governor’s Council.

General Assembly On January 7, 1755, the General Assembly (made up of the Commons House of Assembly and the Governor’s Council) met for the first time in Savannah, which was Georgia’s largest city and capital.

Savannah as Capital

Royal Governor Henry Ellis In 1757 Henry Ellis replaced the 1st Royal Governor. With Governor Ellis, the population of the colony grew to about 10,000, which included 3,600 slaves.

Economic Gains Under Ellis Governor Ellis was a popular governor, and, under his direction, the colony made economic gains. There were more and profitable farms. There were more merchants with a variety of items to sell, so the colonists were able to buy the things they could not grow or manufacture.

Royal Governor James Wright In 1759, Governor Ellis became ill and asked to go back to Great Britain. He was replaced by Georgia’s third and final royal governor, the Honorable James Wright. He was loyal to the king, but he wanted the colonists to do well. He believed that Georgia would continue to grow if: Large farms were even bigger Trading expanded The western lands in Georgia were opened to the settlers.

Royal Governor James Wright

The Colony Grows Under Governor Wright Defensive palisades constructed around Savannah Rice and indigo become profitable Silk production grows More schools create higher literacy rates BUT… Schools were for the wealthy More people wanted to be involved in government Undesirable people move into western part of the colony (nicknamed “Crackers”)

What do you think? As a colonist, would you be happier in the royal colony or in the proprietary (Trustee) colony? List two reasons why.

The French Indian War

It all started in 1754……….. 65 years of disputes between France and Great Britain caused the French and Indian War. Both England and France wanted to control land in North America. With the help of the Native Americans and the colonists, British won the war against France. They now controlled more land in North America.

North America: Before and After Before the French & Indian War After Proclamation of 1763

French and Indian War Ends…………… Georgia did not take part in the war but it was helped by it. After the war, Georgia western boundary at the Mississippi River. But a few months later, King George II issued the Proclamation of 1763. (1) It moved the state’s southern boundary to the St. Mary’s River. (2)Forbade colonists to settle west of the Appalachian Mountains. (3) Britain placed 10,000 troops along the line to enforce the law

Georgia’s New Boarders

Victory has a cost!! The French and Indian War left Britain greatly in debt. King George III raised money to pay back Britain’s war debt by taxing the colonists. However, the colonists did not have representatives in Britain’s government.