The motives behind the foundation of Georgia illustrate the outlook upon overseas possessions held by the mother-country in the eighteenth century. Its conception was due to the philanthropy of private individuals, but its support by the Government was due to the strategic and commercial benefits that Britain was expected to derive. The strategic benefits were apparent in the conflict with Spain and France. The question of who should control the Georgia area was the cause of Anglo-Spanish diplomatic controversy which was kindled in the conflagration after 1739, and was not insignificant in the French and Indian War after 1755. The fact that Georgia was none too well supported by the British Government in these wars does not detract from the province's importance in those years, and the final outcome was in large measure a justification of the strategic and defensive motives that had lain behind the foundation of the colony. The corporation of trustees established to manage the affairs of the new colony pursued an individual policy differing in several particulars from the policy normally followed towards the other colonies, but its unsuitability in the circumstances prevailing at the time soon became apparent, gave rise to local discontent and eventually brought about its modification. When Georgia became a royal province its government and difficulties assumed forms similar to those experienced in the other Crown colonies. Economically, Georgia's development reflected all the commercial theories of the old colonial system and illustrated the mother-country's blind devotion to what was desirable and her consequent neglect of what was practicable or most suitable to the natural capacities of the overseas settlements. The history of colonial Georgia stands as a clear example of the objects, the methods and the failings of the old colonial system of empire.
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:bl.uk/oai:ethos.bl.uk:703746 |
| Date | January 1955 |
| Creators | Reese, Trevor R. |
| Publisher | Royal Holloway, University of London |
| Source Sets | Ethos UK |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Electronic Thesis or Dissertation |
| Source | http://repository.royalholloway.ac.uk/items/18954578-0cd2-421c-9774-31c3e264bb2f/1/ |
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