South Carolina and the Late 20 th Century

SC and WWII During the war, SC experienced economic growthDuring the war, SC experienced economic growth Many SC (white and black) joined the armed forcesMany SC (white and black) joined the armed forces Military bases were expanded to meet training needsMilitary bases were expanded to meet training needs After the war, economic prosperity continuedAfter the war, economic prosperity continued Returning veterans used the GI Bill benefits to get an education and start businesses – which boosted SC’s economyReturning veterans used the GI Bill benefits to get an education and start businesses – which boosted SC’s economy

Strom Thurmond Strom Thurmond Governor of SC, Governor of SC, Long time national SenatorLong time national Senator Key figure in bringing new industry to SC after WWIIKey figure in bringing new industry to SC after WWII Education reform – extended the school year to nine months and added grade 12Education reform – extended the school year to nine months and added grade 12 Helped develop the technical college system in SCHelped develop the technical college system in SC Supported segregationSupported segregation

State Development Board Created in 1954Created in 1954 Worked to recruit established industries to SC.Worked to recruit established industries to SC. Industries were attracted to SC because of low wages, tax breaks, and government opposition to labor unions.Industries were attracted to SC because of low wages, tax breaks, and government opposition to labor unions.

Increased Tourism in SC After WWII, US transportation systems improved.After WWII, US transportation systems improved. Roads, interstates, railroads, airports, and ports allowed travel from one place to another across the country.Roads, interstates, railroads, airports, and ports allowed travel from one place to another across the country. Commercial airlines formed for first time.Commercial airlines formed for first time. Helped reinforce the tourism industry.Helped reinforce the tourism industry. Increased overall efficiency of business.Increased overall efficiency of business.

Agricultural Improvements Mechanized farming equipmentMechanized farming equipment Better techniques (e.g. crop rotation, planting patterns)Better techniques (e.g. crop rotation, planting patterns) Automatic irrigation systemsAutomatic irrigation systems New fertilizers & pesticidesNew fertilizers & pesticides Improved weed controlImproved weed control Better preservation of crops after harvestingBetter preservation of crops after harvesting More efficient transportation of crops to marketMore efficient transportation of crops to market

Agricultural Labor Decline Innovations required fewer farmers to yield more crops.Innovations required fewer farmers to yield more crops. After WWII, SC only had 5% of residents living on farms.After WWII, SC only had 5% of residents living on farms.

Continued Outmigration of Blacks SC still lagged behind in race relations.SC still lagged behind in race relations. Jim Crow laws limited Black freedoms.Jim Crow laws limited Black freedoms. Segregation was supported by political leaders.Segregation was supported by political leaders. Many Blacks moved to states in the north as mechanized equipment replaced labor on farms.Many Blacks moved to states in the north as mechanized equipment replaced labor on farms.

Racial Discrimination Had to attend separate schools, use different bathrooms and water fountains and sit in the rear of the bus.Had to attend separate schools, use different bathrooms and water fountains and sit in the rear of the bus. Briggs v. Elliott, from Clarendon County, started as a simple quest for equal access to education and was appealed to the US Supreme Court.Briggs v. Elliott, from Clarendon County, started as a simple quest for equal access to education and was appealed to the US Supreme Court. The case grew (became part of the famous Brown vs. Board of Education case) and ended in better educational opportunities for all American children (integration).The case grew (became part of the famous Brown vs. Board of Education case) and ended in better educational opportunities for all American children (integration).

White Opposition to Integration Strom Thurmond authored the Southern Manifesto, which encouraged resistance to desegregation.Strom Thurmond authored the Southern Manifesto, which encouraged resistance to desegregation. Many “white flight” private academies were established to avoid integrationMany “white flight” private academies were established to avoid integration SC’s government continuously challenged integration lawsSC’s government continuously challenged integration laws In fact, SC schools were not fully integrated until the 1970’sIn fact, SC schools were not fully integrated until the 1970’s

Civil Rights Movement 1950s and 1960s national movement by African American leaders to end racial discrimination in our country.1950s and 1960s national movement by African American leaders to end racial discrimination in our country. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Civil Rights Bill in South Carolina’s public presence as an anti-civil rights state caused many businesses and industries to go elsewhere White leadership in SC noticed this and began to slowly accept the Civil Rights Movement in order to keep business in the state and attract new ones. Exception – The Orangeburg Massacre: black students protesting an all white bowling alley were shot by the highway patrol and National Guard.

Statewide Improvements Statewide Educational Improvements The state consolidated school districts from over 1000 to 85.The state consolidated school districts from over 1000 to 85. As a result, one room schools attended by African- Americans closed.As a result, one room schools attended by African- Americans closed. Compulsory education law passed (all children must attend school)Compulsory education law passed (all children must attend school) In1984, SC’s General Assembly passed the Education Improvement Act and the Education Accountability Act in the 1990’sIn1984, SC’s General Assembly passed the Education Improvement Act and the Education Accountability Act in the 1990’s These two laws helped raised attendance and graduation rates.These two laws helped raised attendance and graduation rates.

The Impact of the Cold War on SC Much like the World Wars, the Cold War boosted SC’s economy.Much like the World Wars, the Cold War boosted SC’s economy. Military spending spawned industries that provided jobs.Military spending spawned industries that provided jobs. Example – Savannah River Nuclear Plant near Aiken was built to produce weapons grade plutonium for the U.S.A.’s nuclear arsenal.Example – Savannah River Nuclear Plant near Aiken was built to produce weapons grade plutonium for the U.S.A.’s nuclear arsenal. The fall of the Soviet Union, did cause some military bases to close, including Myrtle Beach Air Force base and Charleston Naval Ship Yard.The fall of the Soviet Union, did cause some military bases to close, including Myrtle Beach Air Force base and Charleston Naval Ship Yard. This damaged the economy, but recent problems in the Middle East have increased America’s dependence on other training facilities in SC such as Fort Jackson, Parris Island, Sumter Air Force baseThis damaged the economy, but recent problems in the Middle East have increased America’s dependence on other training facilities in SC such as Fort Jackson, Parris Island, Sumter Air Force base