Georgia became a royal colony in 1752 after its original charter, granted in 1732, came to an end. The transition from a proprietary colony to a royal colony was influenced by several key figures and factors:
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James Oglethorpe: He was the founder of Georgia and a key leader in the early years of the colony. Oglethorpe was originally one of the Trustees of the colony, and he played a significant role in its establishment. However, his vision for the colony, which included restrictions on land ownership and slavery, faced challenges and opposition.
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The Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia: This group, established by the British Parliament, governed Georgia during its initial years as a proprietary colony. Over time, they faced criticism for how they managed the colony, particularly concerning land policies and the prohibition of slavery.
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British Government: By the 1750s, the British government grew concerned about the colony's difficulties, including threats from Spanish Florida and the inability to attract settlers. The administration decided to take direct control, converting it into a royal colony for better governance and defense.
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Colonial Settlers: The settlers themselves played a role in the transition as their demands for changes in land ownership laws and the introduction of slavery contributed to the perception that the colony needed a different form of governance.
The royal colony status brought changes, most notably the lifting of restrictions on land ownership and the legalization of slavery, which significantly altered the colony's economy and social structure. The royal governors appointed by the Crown took over the administrative duties from the Trustees.