key term - Georgia Trustees

Definition

The Georgia Trustees were a group of individuals appointed by the British government in 1732 to oversee the establishment and administration of the Georgia colony. Their primary goal was to create a new settlement that would serve as a buffer between the British colonies and Spanish Florida, while also providing a fresh start for the poor and indebted from England.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Georgia Trustees were initially given control over land grants, laws, and governance in the colony, which aimed to ensure fair treatment of settlers.
2. One significant restriction imposed by the trustees was banning slavery in Georgia for several decades, as they believed it would harm their vision for a prosperous society.
3. The trustees operated under a charter that limited their authority to 21 years, after which the governance of Georgia would be handed over to the colonists themselves.
4. James Oglethorpe played a pivotal role in advocating for the settlement of poor and indebted people, shaping the social dynamics of early Georgia.
5. The trustees faced numerous challenges, including conflicts with local Native American tribes and dissatisfaction among colonists over restrictions on land ownership and slavery.

Review Questions

• How did the Georgia Trustees influence the early development of the Georgia colony and its governance?
  • The Georgia Trustees significantly shaped the early development of the colony through their leadership and governance model. They implemented laws and policies aimed at creating a utopian society free from poverty and debt, which included restrictions on land ownership and slavery. Their vision focused on helping those in need while establishing Georgia as a buffer against Spanish Florida, which influenced both social structures and economic practices within the colony.
• Analyze the impact of James Oglethorpe's vision on the policies enacted by the Georgia Trustees during the colony's formation.
  • James Oglethorpe's vision for Georgia directly impacted several key policies enacted by the Georgia Trustees. His emphasis on philanthropy led to strict regulations against slavery, aimed at fostering a community of small farmers rather than plantation owners. Additionally, his desire to create a haven for poor debtors influenced land distribution policies that prioritized fair access to land for settlers, shaping the overall social fabric of early Georgian society.
• Evaluate how the restrictions placed by the Georgia Trustees affected settler attitudes and contributed to changes in governance after their charter expired.
  • The restrictions imposed by the Georgia Trustees, such as banning slavery and limiting land ownership, generated significant frustration among settlers who felt these policies hindered economic growth. As dissatisfaction grew, calls for greater autonomy intensified, ultimately leading to changes in governance when their charter expired. The transition to self-governance allowed settlers to repeal many restrictive policies, reflecting their desire for a more flexible economic environment and foreshadowing Georgia's evolution into a more typical Southern colony.

Related terms

James Oglethorpe:

James Oglethorpe was the founder of the Georgia colony and one of the key figures among the Georgia Trustees, known for his philanthropic vision and leadership.

Charter of 1732:

The Charter of 1732 was the legal document issued by King George II that granted the trustees the authority to establish the Georgia colony and set forth its intended purposes.

Debtors' Colony: Georgia was originally envisioned as a Debtors' Colony where individuals imprisoned for debt could start anew, with the support of the trustees.