Name__________________________________________________Date_______________________
Georgia’s Royal Governors
Part I
Directions: Pretend that you are the governor of the Georgia colony. Your job is to ensure that the colony
remains successful and follows the desires of the king. As governor, read each statement and decide whether
you MOST agree or disagree with it, by circling the appropriate answer in the 2nd column. Leave the 3rd column
blank.
Philosophy (Belief)
Circle one!
Governor
1. Georgia should be divided into parishes (modern-day
AGREE DISAGREE
counties) to have local authorities to meet people’s needs.
2. We should encourage people from other colonies to move
AGREE DISAGREE
to the Georgia colony.
3. Slavery in necessary in order for the colony to be
AGREE DISAGREE
productive.
4. Protestors are rebels that could cause problems for the
AGREE DISAGREE
colony.
5. It is important to expand Georgia’s land and make it
AGREE DISAGREE
larger.
6. Colonists need a court system to solve their problems.
AGREE DISAGREE
7. Georgia should be loyal to England, who cares for the
AGREE DISAGREE
colony.
8. We need a budget to keep the colony’s money balanced.
AGREE DISAGREE
9. We need many trade relationships to support the economy. AGREE DISAGREE
10. Colonists should elect (vote in) officers to the
AGREE DISAGREE
government.
11. People should be allowed to have large plantations.
AGREE DISAGREE
12. We don’t have to form alliances with Natives in the area.
AGREE DISAGREE
Part II
Directions: Listen to each conversation between King George and the 3 royal governors. As you learn about the
governor’s time in Georgia, identify the statements above that describe the governor and write his name next to
it, in the 3rd column. There are 4 statements for each governor. Following each conversation, you will be given
time to work with your group.
Part III
Directions: Now that you know the beliefs, successes, and failures of the 3 royal governors, calculate which
governor you agreed with the most. Then, calculate which governor you disagreed with the most. Complete the
statements below by writing their names in the appropriate blanks.

As a Georgia colonist, I would have most supported ___________________________________________.

As a Georgia colonist, I would have least supported____________________________________________.
Part IV
In trustee Georgia, there were rules about slavery and land ownership. Based on the conversations you heard
today, fill in the table below to identify how those rules changed as time passed.
In Trustee Georgia…
Law on Slavery
Rule on Land Ownership
In Royal Georgia…
John Reynolds
John Reynolds: Your Majesty, I am so honored to meet with you (bows to the king). As your most humble
servant, I could not imagine a better way to spend my day.
King George: Spare me, Governor. I don’t wish to spend my day with you sucking up to me. I have plenty of
people to do that. We both know you’re here because you’ve managed to do a terrible job at being in charge of
the Georgia colony.
John Reynolds: Your Excellence! Why-why, I don’t think it was really THAT bad.
King George: You’ve made a mess of things. The people practically booed you out of the colony, they hated
you so much. It’s why you’re standing back here, in England!
John Reynolds: I really don’t see why the people are so hateful. I did the best I could!
King George: They complained to me that any time they tried to protest something they didn’t like, you labeled
them as rebels.
John Reynolds: Well, I allowed the colonists to elect government officials. Isn’t that listening? Those protestors,
they were just so argumentative. I was just trying to keep the peace!
King George: Keep the peace?! Keep the peace?! You were TERRIBLE at creating peace with the Native
Americans. Do you not think it important that we negotiate with the savages that outnumber us?
John Reynolds: Well, IKing George: I don’t want to hear it!
John Reynolds: Your Highness, please. I did set up a court system, as you ordered. This provided a place for the
people to solve their problems peacefully and lawfully. Is that not an example of how I didn’t completely mess
up as a governor?
King George: I suppose, but that’s pathetic. You should have done better.
John Reynolds: I beg Your Majesty’s forgiveness.
King George: No matter. I have sent another royal governor to replace you. I hope that he has more sense than
you. Go back to being an admiral in the navy. You seemed to have more success there. Now, be gone. Out of
my sight!
John Reynolds: Yes, Highness. (Walks away while bowing).
Henry Ellis
Henry Ellis: Most Honorable King (bows to the king), how can I serve you today?
King George: Ellis, welcome back home.
Henry Ellis: I am most happy to be back.
King George: I hear that you left things well, though you yourself are very ill.
Henry Ellis: I tried my best to rule Georgia in your image, Majesty.
King George: Did you divide Georgia into parishes, like I commanded?
Henry Ellis: Indeed, oh Imperial one. Each parish has its own local authority.
King George: How are the lands doing?
Henry Ellis: Allowing slaves to work on large plantations that aren’t limited was a good idea. The larger
plantations are really helping the economy. We have many slaves in the colony—here a slave, there a slave,
everywhere a slave, slave.
King George: Ah yes, the colony needed slaves. You know the gentlemen did not want to work.
Henry Ellis: Yes, we did hate sweating and getting dirty. The slaves are much better at it. Does it look like this
outfit is fit to be in a field? I don’t think so.
King George: Truth. Tell me more of the economy. Are you making me rich? I mean, even richer?
Henry Ellis: Of course, Imperial One. I set up a budget that determines how much the colony spends. We can’t
very well expect to survive if we’re broke!
King George: Yes, I could not imagine being broke. Well, I am happy to hear it, Ellis. You have done me
proud. Please, send your family best. England is happy to have you back. I wish you good health.
Henry Ellis: I’ll be alright, your Majesty. I’ll live the rest of my life as a rich man! (Walks away while bowing).
James Wright
King George: Ahhhh, it is the governor of the year, my dear James Wright!
James Wright: Most Noble Highness, I am overjoyed to be in your presence. (bows to the king)
King George: Tell me James, how goes the English colony?
James Wright: Majesty, things couldn’t be better. I am so good at my job, it’s ridiculousness. You know the
people love me. I am their fav.
King George: So I’ve heard. You have made Georgia larger.
James Wright: Indeed. I convinced the Natives to give up land in two negotiations. Their land now belongs to
you, Magnificent Ruler.
King George: Those Natives don’t realize what is going to happen to them. However, we must be wise and keep
them on our side, while taking everything from them at the same time.
James Wright: Yes, Your Majesty. In addition, I have expanded trade in the colony, to strengthen our economy.
The large plantations are contributing to our ability to trade with other colonies, the natives, and other countries.
King George: You engage with other colonies?
James Wright: Oh yes, Highness. I have made it a priority to invite settlers to bring their large numbers of
slaves to buy large plots of land that they can use to grow crops that we can sell, trade, and ship here.
King George: You are one of my most loyal subjects, Governor Wright. It is clear that the people love you, as
they have supported you as the longest ruling royal governor of Georgia.
James Wright: Your Majesty, I will forever be loyal to you and my country. If it weren’t for you and for
England, the colony would not exist. The settlers and I owe you our lives. We are all too happy to make all your
dreams come true.
King George: Thank you for your service, Governor Wright. I will remember your loyalty, should I ever need to
you keep the colonists loyal in the future.
James Wright: Royal Highness…(Walks away while bowing).
Answer
1. Georgia should be divided into parishes (modern-day
counties) to have local authorities to meet people’s needs.
2. We should encourage people in other colonies to move to
the Georgia colony.
3. Slavery should be allowed.
4. Protestors are rebels.
5. It is important to expand Georgia’s land and make it larger.
6. A court system should be set up to help the colonists solve
their problems.
7. Georgia should remain loyal to England, who cares for the
colony.
8. The colony should have a budget that keeps the colony’s
money balanced.
9. Georgia should form as many trade relationships as
possible, to support the colony’s economy.
10. People should elect officers who will hold government
positions.
11. People should be allowed to have large plantations, which
will help the colony’s economy.
12. Forming alliances with Natives isn’t necessary for the
colony to be successful.
YES
NO
Ellis
YES
NO
Wright
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
Ellis
Reynolds
Wright
Reynolds
YES
NO
Wright
YES
NO
Ellis
YES
NO
Wright
YES
NO
Reynolds
YES
NO
Ellis
YES
NO
Reynolds