Who was given the honor of being the Georgia colony’s first governor?

1754-1757• Former Navy captain• Greeted with much fan

fare and excitement• Is given credit for giving

colonists the right to self-government and for setting up the colony’s first bi-cameral legislature and court system.

Ha, ha! Suckers!

The king chose

me first!

Captain John Reynolds

What did self-government mean to GA colonists?• Gave colonists the right to

voice concerns and be a part of the evolution of the GA colony!

• Colonists would have the right to –– Vote – had to own 50 acres

and be male– Hold elections– Collect taxes

50 Acres!

The Royal Colony of GA’s First Government

Bi-Cameral Legislature

Commons House of Assembly Governor’s Council

Lower house Upper house

These men were elected by colonists

These men were appointed by the King

Had to own 500 acres

Were wealthy, influential landowners

Could write and vote on bills

Would advise the governor, approve land grants, make laws, and, sometimes, act as judges in

legal cases

The Royal Colony of GA’s First Government

• When the colonists had differences with each other, they went before the Court of Conscience, over which presided a local justice of the peace.• Cases that couldn’t be resolved by the C.C. were heard by members of the Governor’s Council.

Georgia’s first royal governor John Reynolds

• Lost his temper when the Commons House disagreed with his viewpoints on building up the defenses of the colony, and he disbanded the legislature and took charge writing and approving bills.

• He assigned a close friend more than 6 administration jobs to make up for those he had sent home.

Georgia’s first royal governor John Reynolds

• While “waiting for a better assignment to came along,” Reynolds was called back to England to answer charges that he behaved poorly.

• He was ordered to resign and went back to service in the Navy.

• Major events - he was royal governor when the French and Indian War was beginning.

Back to a life I know and

love!

Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• Henry Ellis• 1757-1760• Was another captain in the British

Royal Navy • Fancied himself a naturalist and

scientist• In today’s world, he’d be heavily

medicated!

Sadly, no

paintings of me

can be found!

Gov. Henry Ellis

Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• He unified feuding factions of colonists, sought the advice of the governor of SC, and allowed wealthy, influential colonists help lead the colony.

Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• Major boom time for GA’s population. – By 1759 = 10,000 in GA

• Colony made huge economic progress!– new farms, new crops

being grown successfully, and new products to purchase as more and more merchants conduct business in GA

CELEBRATE GOOD TIMES, COME ON!

Who was the 2nd royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• In 1759, Ellis becomes very ill and asks to return to Britain.

• He is later re-assigned to Nova Scotia in 1761

Who was the 3rd and last royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• James Wright• 1760-1776• Was the attorney general

for SC before coming to GA

• Wright played a key role in two large land cessions from GA's Indians in 1763 and1773. – During Wright’s term, land

ownership increases the most.

Man is fickle!

Everyone loves

me…then, many

HATE me!

Gov. James Wright

Who was the 3rd and last royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• Completed the defenses around Savannah with palisades and forts were made stronger.

• New port at Sunbury was created and made the official port of entry.

Where is Sunbury in GA? http://www.mapquest.com/mq/3-mectJa0e

Who was the 3rd and last royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• Other positive developments: – Rice, indigo, and silk booming– More schools created– More people reading/books

being sold– GA’s first newspaper “The

Georgia Gazette” started– Many homes rebuilt into finer

homes • Crackers and other poor whites

(esp. in the backcountry) weren’t feeling much this much progress however.

Well, at least for some!

Who was the 3rd and last royal governor of the Georgia colony?

• Major events – French and Indian War ends, protests in American colonies begin, American Revolution breaks out, Battle of the Rice Boats occur, and Wright is arrested by Liberty Boys.