How Did The Government In North Carolina Change After 1731?

In 1731, George Burrington was elected the first ever Royal Governor of North Carolina. It was the culmination of several transfers of power during the Colonial period. In 1663, King Charles II gave the land that made up North Carolina to eight English gentlemen who had helped him to stay in power. They were known as the 'proprietors'. They didn't waste time in organizing a government. They divided the land into pricincts and asked John Locke to write a Constitution. The government was composed of two parts: an appointed Governor and Council and an Assembly which was elected by voters.

The proprietors and their descendants were in possession of North Carolina until 1729. That year, seven of the eight proprietors sold their interests back to the Crown. This was significant, as North Carolina once again became a Royal colony. The Crown appointed George Burrington to be Royal Governor. An issue that characterized his administration was the debate about land taxes. He thought that back land taxes should be paid to the Crown and a strict new tax system should be installed. The elected Assembly did not agree. The deadlock between the Assembly and the Royal Governor and his council continued until the end of Burrington's term in 1734.

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