When Georgia became a royal colony, it saw several significant changes:
1. Change in Leadership: The founder and trustee of Georgia, James Oglethorpe, lost administrative control as it was now placed directly under the authority of the British crown. A royal governor was appointed to oversee the colony.
2. Expansion of Slavery: The ban on slavery that had been established by the trustees was lifted, and the royal colony embraced the institution of slavery. Slavery became a vital part of Georgia's economy, particularly in the cultivation of rice and indigo.
3. Increase in Population: With the removal of the ban on slavery and the offer of land grants, the population of Georgia increased rapidly. Many settlers, including people from other British colonies and European immigrants, were attracted to the colony.
4. Conflicts with Native Americans: Georgia's royal colony expanded its territory, which often resulted in conflicts with Native American tribes who had claims to the land. These tensions eventually led to armed conflicts, such as the Yamasee War (1715-1717) and the Anglo-Cherokee War (1758-1761).
5. Economic Development: Under royal rule, Georgia's economy diversified. Plantations expanded, producing cash crops like rice, indigo, and later, cotton. The colony also developed trade relationships with British merchants, exporting goods and importing manufactured goods from England.
6. Political and Legal Changes: The colony now had a bicameral legislative assembly, consisting of a lower House of Commons, elected by the colonists, and an upper House of Assembly, appointed by the governor. This allowed Georgia's colonists to have some representation in the colony's governance.
Overall, the transition to a royal colony brought economic growth and changes in governance to Georgia. However, it also led to the spread of slavery and conflicts with Native Americans.
What happened when Georgia become a royal colony?
1 answer