Georgia as a Royal Colony

King George II Takes Control

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

Oglethorpe and the Trustees

The Georgia 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.

Georgia Becomes a Royal Colony

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.

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.

Changes in a Royal Colony

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.

The First Royal Governor

Royal Governor John Reynolds

Thumbs Up OR Down In a proprietary colony, Georgians were

allowed to govern themselves.

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.

The Legislative Body

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 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.

The Lower House

Thumbs Up OR Down People are elected to serve in the Commons

House of Assembly.

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

The Upper House

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

Problems arose between Governor Reynolds and the colonists about money, and in 1757 he was replaced by Captain Henry Ellis. ◦ Under him, the population of the colony grew to

about 10,000, which included 3,600 slaves.

Royal Governor Henry 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, which meant that the colonists were able to buy the things they could not grow or manufacture.

Economic Gains Under Ellis

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

Royal Governor James Wright

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”)

The Colony Grows

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.