The Charter of 1732 refers to the royal charter granted by King George II of Great Britain to establish the colony of Georgia in North America. Here are some key events related to this charter:
1. Establishment of Georgia: The charter was granted on April 21, 1732, and it established the colony of Georgia as a trustee colony. The purpose of this colony was to serve as a buffer between the British colonies and the Spanish territory of Florida, as well as to provide a fresh start for the poor, debtors, and persecuted Protestants in England.
2. Trustees appointed: The charter appointed 21 trustees to govern the colony. These trustees were responsible for establishing rules and regulations, implementing policies, and overseeing the settlement and growth of Georgia.
3. Oglethorpe and the initial settlement: James Oglethorpe, one of the trustees, led an expedition to Georgia in 1733 to establish the initial settlement. The group landed on what is now known as Savannah and laid the foundations for the city.
4. Prohibition of slavery and alcohol: The Charter of 1732 explicitly prohibited slavery in the colony, as the trustees wanted to create a society free from what they considered the social and economic problems associated with it. The charter also initially banned the import and consumption of alcohol in Georgia.
5. Development and challenges: Over the years, the colony faced various challenges, including conflicts with neighboring Spanish and Native American tribes. Eventually, the prohibition on slavery and alcohol was lifted, as the economic success of the colony relied on plantation agriculture, especially rice and indigo cultivation.
It is important to note that the Charter of 1732 was replaced by a new royal charter in 1752, which granted Georgia more self-governing powers. However, the initial charter played a significant role in establishing the colony and shaping its early development.
What happened in the charter of 1732?
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