Comparing Georgia Charter (1732) and Rhode Island Charter (1663), it is important to remember their purpose and geographical differences. While Rhode Island was a charter colony with the broadest number of freedoms, Georgia was established as a ‘buffer’ colony ruled strictly by the English government and even could not elect its governing body. Only twenty trustees could issue the laws; they did not allow colonials to write their rules. (Charter of Georgia: 1732). In contrast, Rhode Island colonists had the greatest number of freedoms of all colonies and could elect the governor and make their laws.
Another striking similarity is widespread religious freedoms and tolerance. It is not unique to Southern colonies; in Georgia, the liberty to exercise any religion except Roman Catholicism was provided. However, it is pretty unusual for New England colonies like Rhode Island, which had guaranteed freedom of religion. It was founded by people escaping the lack of religious acceptance in other Northern territories. (Charter of Rhode Island, 1663). Religious freedoms attracted people to settle in Georgia and Rhode Island, growing their economic potential.
Concerning slavery, both Georgian and Rhode Island colonists benefited from enslaved people used on plantations and slave trade in the North. Georgian authorities tried to forbid slavery, but the colonists rebelled against it, while Rhode Island was the most significant center of the slave trade in New England. Contrary to slavery, settlers maintained trade relations with the Natives in both colonies. This was especially true for Georgians, for whom many trade relations were tied to the Indians. (A State of the Province of Georgia, 1740). Rhode Island was the first to pay for the land taken from the Indians on a state level (Patent for Providence Plantations, 1643). Colonists did not participate in the wars between Indian tribes and maintained diplomatic relations.
Even though the colonies were located at different ends of the continent and differed greatly in political and economic structure, both colonies became powerful centers of the anti-British movement. Since Rhode Island had a quickly developing diversified economy, and most of the settlers were middle class, they wanted complete secession and independence. In contrast, Georgians were dissatisfied with the complete lack of self-government, many obstacles to the development of the economy, control over land trade, and the adoption of local laws that did not meet their interests.
References
Patent for Providence Plantations – March 14, 1643 (n.d). Avalon Project – Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy. Web.
A State of the Province of Georgia, Attested upon Oath, in the Court of Savannah – November 10, 1740 (n.d). Library of Congress. Web.
Charter of Rhode Island and providence plantations – July 15, 1663 (n.d.). Avalon Project – Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy. Web.
Charter of Georgia: 1732 (n.d). Avalon Project – Documents in Law, History and Diplomacy. Web.