When Georgia became a royal colony in 1752, several significant changes took place that shaped its development and governance. Here are the major changes:
- Governance: The colony transitioned from being governed by trustees to being directly ruled by the British Crown. This meant that the king appointed a royal governor to oversee the colony, leading to more centralized control.
- Land Ownership: The restrictions on land ownership were lifted. Previously, the trustees had imposed limits on the amount of land one person could own. After becoming a royal colony, these restrictions were removed, allowing for larger landholdings and encouraging more settlers to move to Georgia.
- Slavery: The ban on slavery was lifted. The trustees had initially prohibited slavery in Georgia, but after becoming a royal colony, this ban was reversed. This led to the introduction of slavery, which significantly impacted the colony’s economy and social structure.
- Economic Growth: The economy began to grow more rapidly. With the introduction of slavery and the ability to own larger tracts of land, agriculture, particularly the cultivation of cash crops like rice and indigo, became more profitable. This economic growth attracted more settlers and increased the colony’s wealth.
- Population Increase: The population of Georgia increased significantly. The changes in land ownership and the introduction of slavery made the colony more attractive to settlers, leading to a rapid increase in population.
These changes marked a turning point in Georgia’s history, transforming it from a struggling colony into a more prosperous and populous one under royal control.