1. What happened next? (SS8H2c) – The student will explain the development of Georgia as a royal colony with regard to land ownership, slavery, government, and the impact of the royal governors.

2. 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.

3. 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, the colony’s executive, had final authority on ALL MATTERS and answered only to the King!

4. Georgia as a Royal Colony (1752 – 1776)
Colonists were permitted to own land and own slaves.
Large plantations were built along the fertile rivers.
Farmers became wealthy raising rice, silk, indigo, corn, peas, wheat, rye, and tobacco.
Wealthy merchants in Savannah became important exporters of goods to England.
Georgia’s population grew due to:
the new land policies
Growth in economy
Slaves needed to work the land.
Slave population increased to 500
1775- Slave population increased to 18,000

5. Many of the new settlers were Scots-Irish immigrants who were considered “undesirable” by the established Georgia colonists and were given the derogatory name “crackers.”
This group often worked and laid claim to lands in the frontier of the colony.

6. Without the strict rules of the Trustees, Georgia began to quickly prosper.
Savannah, the capital of colonial Georgia, became a busy port city and the residents became extremely wealthy!!!
In the colonial days, Georgia’s economy was strongly supported by trade and agricultural

7. Georgia as a Royal Colony (1752 – 1776)

8. John Reynolds Time Period/History:
Naval officer appointed by King George in 1754, and recalled in 1756.
Reynolds was welcomed by the colonists.
Georgia’s new government met for the first time in Savannah in 1755.
Under a new charter, Ga was allowed for first time:
Assembly-two houses
Court system-The Court of Conscience
Elected officers
Positive Contributions/Accomplishments:
Introduced idea of self-government. He wanted the colonists to help run the government.

9. John Reynolds Weakness/Negative Impact:
To vote you had to own 50 acres
To be part of the legislature, you had to own 500 acres.
wealthy landowners were part of government
He didn’t work well with the colonial assembly.
Political blunders with colonists and Native Americans proved he was too inept to be a royal governor
The complaints of the people of Georgia led to Reynolds being recalled (fired)
John Reynolds

10. Henry Ellis Time Period/History: 1757 – 1760
Naturalist and a scientist
Had led voyages to different parts of the world
Slave trader for five years
Positive Contributions/Accomplishments:
Divided Georgia into eight parishes (later counties)
Credited for bringing (real) self-government to the colony
Brought people together
Kept the Creek Indians neutral during war with Cherokee
Weakness/Negatives:
Ill health forced him to leave Georgia
Always carried a thermometer and an umbrella
Thought Georgia was one of the hottest places on earth

11. Henry Ellis Outcome and Opinion of People:
After leaving Georgia, he played a role in forming Georgia’s modern boundaries after the French and Indian War.

12. Sir James Wright Time Period/History: Royal Governor from 1760 – 1776
Then again 1779 – 1782
Born in Charleston/Educated in Britain
Loyal to King
Positive Contributions/Accomplishments:
Expanded land ownership and trade
Completed defensive palisades around Savannah and strengthened forts

13. James Wright Weakness/Negative Impact:
During the early stages of the Revolution, he did his best to keep Georgia from joining revolts.
Did not send a GA representative to the 1st Continental Congress
GA sold stamps during the Stamp Act
He was popular with the people until the American Revolution
James Wright

14. Sir James Wright ( )
Eventually, Revolutionary fervor took hold of Georgia and Wright was arrested.
He was able to escape to a British ship and returned to England.
There he called for a full scale attack on the state which took place in 1778.
Governor again in when England recaptured Savannah during the American Revolution.