What were some of the major changes that occurred after Georgia became a royal colony?
When Georgia became a royal colony, several major changes occurred.
1. Government structure: The proprietary rule of the Trustees was abolished, and Georgia was placed under direct royal control. The king appointed a Royal Governor and a council to govern the colony, replacing the Trustees' board of Trustees.
2. Expansion of territory: The Royal Province of Georgia expanded its territory, as the crown sought to increase the colony's size and population. New land grants were issued, encouraging settlers to migrate to Georgia.
3. Slavery: Initially, the Trustees had banned slavery in Georgia. However, after the crown took over, slavery was allowed, and plantations began to emerge. The introduction of slavery had a significant impact on the colony's economy and social structure.
4. Economic changes: Under royal rule, Georgia's economic focus shifted from the Trustees' vision of a military buffer colony to an agricultural base. The crown encouraged the cultivation of cash crops like rice, indigo, and eventually cotton. This shift led to the growth of plantations and an increasing reliance on enslaved labor.
5. Defense: Georgia's defense became the responsibility of the British crown. Forts and military garrisons were established to protect the colony from potential Spanish threats in Florida and Native American attacks.
6. Religious freedom: The Trustees had established strict religious restrictions in Georgia, allowing only Protestant Christians. However, under the royal colony, religious freedom was granted and extended to various denominations.
7. Land ownership: The crown modified the terms of land ownership. The original restrictions implemented by the Trustees were relaxed, and individuals could now freely buy and sell land, leading to the growth of a land-owning class.
These changes transformed Georgia from an experiment led by the Trustees to a more traditional royal colony, fostering the colony's growth and shifting its focus towards agriculture and the establishment of a slave society.