Royal colonies were a type of colonial government system used by the British Empire. Royal colonies are sometimes called crown colonies. The colony would be ruled by a governor appointed by the king or queen. The first royal colony in the United States was Virginia. Virginia became a royal colony when Britain took control of Virginia from the Virginia Company in 1624. Georgia became a royal colony in 1752 when King George II took control of Georgia from the trustees. In 1776, the colonies gained freedom. The term “royal colony” was used until 1981 when Britain started calling them “British Dependent Territories”. In 2002, Britain started calling them “British Overseas Territories”.

Mercantilism is a trade policy where a country exports more than it imports, so they can make more money. Mercantilism was the main economic system during colonial times. Much of Europe did this including Britain, Spain France, and may others. Countries did this so they could become wealthy. They wanted to become wealthy, so they could expand their empire and get power and glory for their empires. Mercantilism was a very important part of exploration and colonization. You could say that mercantilism was their motivation to explore the New World and colonize the New World.

What is another name for “royal colony”?

Why did Europe use mercantilism?