World War II

Learning Targets I can describe the impact of World War II on Georgia’s development economically, socially, and politically. I can describe the impact of events leading up to American involvement in World War II to include Lend-Lease and the bombing of Pearl Harbor. I can evaluate the importance of Bell Aircraft, military bases, the Savannah and Brunswick shipyards, and Carl Vinson. I can explain the impact of the Holocaust on Georgians. I can discuss the ties to Georgia that President Roosevelt had and his impact on the state.

U.S. = FDR, THEN TRUMAN GB = WINSTON CHURCHILL Allied Power Leaders

Georgians in WWII Over 320,000 Georgians between the ages of 21 and 35 fought. 7,388 died in battle. 8 received the Medal of Honor.

Economy WWII brought prosperity to Georgia.

Fort Benning (Columbus)  Largest infantry training school in the world.  Place where soldiers trained to become officers in the Army.

Fort Stewart (Savannah)  Began as one of the Civilian Conservation Corps projects.  Soldiers trained here.  Also used as a prisoner of war camp

Robins Air Force Base (Warner Robins)  Military Base added during the war.  City of Macon and Bibb County gave 3,000 acres of land to the federal government  Government used the land to build the base.  Maintained airplanes for the war  Distributed war supplies.

Glynco Naval Air Station (Savannah) Flew blimps along the Atlantic coast in search of German submarines

Fort McPherson (Atlanta) Major induction center for newly drafted soldiers from all over the country. Major shipping point for military vehicles. Important medical site. Military doctors studied tropical disease and ways to kill harmful insects.

Fort Gillem (Forest Park) Army and storage facility and railroad yard.

Fort Oglethorpe Women trained to become postal workers, clerks, typists, switchboard operators, code clerks, and aides.

Bell Aircraft Plant (Marietta) Also known as the Bell Bomber Plant employed 27,000 people Private business where men and women built B-29 bombers. Lockheed Martin Corp. took over the Bell Aircraft plant in 1951.

Shipyards Both Savannah and Brunswick had shipyards These ports were important to the war. They had water deep enough so that very large ships could take supplies directly from Georgia to Europe. Launched 1,235 Liberty Ships – Patrick Henry “Give me liberty, or give me death!” Lend-lease goods were shipped through Savannah.

88 BUILT IN SAVANNAH 99 BUILT IN BRUNSWICK Liberty Ships

Carl Vinson Served 50 Years in the US House of Representatives – 25 consecutive terms Believed in a strong navy and strong air defense When fighting began, he wrote bills that added more ships, pilots, planes, and air bases to the US military

Carl Vinson “Father of the Two Ocean Navy” – Vinson- Trammel Act = built warships in the shipyards in Brunswick and Savannah From Milledgeville

Richard Russell, Jr. Member of Georgia’s House of Representatives Governor During Great Depression Served as US Senator Believed in a strong military and helped pass bills that brought the many military bases to Georgia Helped farmers

Richard Russell, Jr. June 27, 1931 became GA governor GA’s youngest governor Created Board of Regents of the University System of GA In all, he represented GA for 38 years Known as the “Father of the School Lunch Program”

Georgia Industries Factories and mills switched to production of military equipment and supplies. Car makers changed to building tanks, jeeps, and other military vehicles.

Georgians in the War Over 313,000 fought in WWII GA’s economy shifted from agri to industrial GA cities increased in size, by % of Georgians lived in cities New Farm Machinery! = less farmers, more crops

Georgia After the War Baby Boom= period after World War II when many children were born “Baby Boom Generation” Suburbs=residential areas around cities -rise of commuters Many Northern businesses and ppl moved to GA b/c of : 1. Mild Climate 2. Lower state taxes Largest Employer: Lockheed Aircraft

Georgia Industry Grows By 1954 over 800 new industries were in ATL 1950s ATL ranked 23 rd in US city size 1970s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport opened -named after two important Georgia politicians: William B. Hartsfield and Maynard Jackson MARTA = Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority Over 50% of GA’s pop. lives in ATL today Today ATL is 11 th in population size for all US cities

Georgia Industry Grows Ivan Allen, Jr. – ATL mayor who served two terms during the 1960s Helped promote a progressive New South economy and racial equality

USE PAGES TO DESCRIBED WHAT HAPPENED WITH THE ISSUE OF THE THREE GOVERNORS Independent Discovery

Talmadge elected to 4 th term Ellis Arnall governor until 1946 Talmadge was reelected on Democratic ticket No Republican opposition During the election, several hundred people wrote in Herman Talmadge for governor (Eugene’s son) – they were afraid Eugene was going to die Lieutenant Governor = Melvin Thompson ( in line for governor) Talmadge died before Christmas 1946 Herman took the governor’s mansion by force January 15, 1947 – broke in and changed the locks

Talmadge elected to 4 th term Ellis Arnall felt that Melvin Thompson should be governor, so he made an office at the capital: Capitol Information Center Melvin Thompson opened up an office to try to legally become governor in downtown ATL Finally, March 1947, Melvin Thompson was legally elected Special election held in 1948, Herman Talmadge was elected