The New South

Georgia Performance Standards SS8H7 The student will evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia between 1877 and 1918. a. Evaluate the impact the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry Grady, International Cotton Exposition, Tom Watson and the Populists, Rebecca Latimer Felton, the 1906 Atlanta Riot, the Leo Frank Case, and the county unit system had on Georgia during this period. b. Analyze how rights were denied to African-Americans through Jim Crow laws, Plessy v. Ferguson, disenfranchisement, and racial violence. c. Explain the roles of Booker T. Washington, W. E. B. DuBois, John and Lugenia Burns Hope, and Alonzo Herndon. d. Explain reasons for World War I and describe Georgia’s contributions.

After you take The New South Pre Test, complete the crossword puzzle After you take The New South Pre Test, complete the crossword puzzle. Be sure to follow the directions.

Review How did the Civil War transform the South? What was Lincoln’s purpose for “Reconstruction of” the South? Were freed slaves better off in the South after the Civil War?  Why or why not? What were the 13th, 14th, and 15th amendments?  Did they transform American society?  If so, how?

Activity - Study Cards Fill in the importance of each of the following people/events on the back of your study cards. Henry Grady Tom Watson Rebecca Latimer Felton Booker T. Washington W. E. B. DuBois John and Lugenia Burns Hope Alonzo Herndon Bourbon Triumvirate Leo Frank Case 1906 Atlanta Riot Plessy v. Ferguson International Cotton Exposition Jim Crow Laws County Unit System

Before the Civil War, the South did not have much industry compared to the North. Most of the Southern industry focused on agriculture – cotton, tobacco, and sugar. Many said the South didn’t need a lot of factories. The Civil War changed Southern industry. Factories opened to make military supplies and other goods for the South. After the war, some Southerners realized the advantages of industry and manufacturing. The Old South was gone. How would they build a “New South?”

The New South Movement From 1877 to 1910, the South focused on rebuilding its economic, social, and political structures. A group of leaders wanted to build a “New South.” They believed that it needed to make the following changes: Expand its industries Rely less on a few cash crops such as cotton Grow more food crops

The New South in Georgia Three major politicians promoted the idea of the New South in Georgia: John B. Gordon Joseph Brown Alfred Colquitt They were known as the “Bourbon Triumvirate.” Their goals were to: Expand Georgia’s economy and ties with industries in the North Maintain the tradition of white supremacy Bourbon – a ruling group of French kings Triumvirate – a ruling group of three people

Decline of the Bourbon Triumvirate “Independent Democrats” criticized the Bourbons for not attending to the needs of the poor or improve education and working conditions in factories. Leaders William and Rebecca Felton worked to improve conditions for poor Georgians using newspapers to highlight problems in the state.

Henry W. Grady Henry W. Grady – editor of the newspaper, the Atlanta Constitution in 1880. He was the leading supporter of the New South Movement. He popularized the term, “New South.” Through his editorials, speeches, and writings, Grady tried to advertise to the rest of the nation that the South was no longer the South of the old plantation days. It was a South that was ready to receive economic investment, grow, and prosper.

Southern Business and Industry Many business began to grow after Reconstruction: Cotton Mills Other industries – tobacco, steel, timber, coal, oil, and cottonseed Supporters of the New South wanted farmers to grow more food crops instead of relying heavily on cash crops, like cotton – sharecropping prevented this. By 1900, GA had 15 large industrial companies (11 cotton mills and 4 railroad shops) that employed many workers

Towns and Cities Atlanta: Railroad lines were repaired and running after the war. Atlanta was the most populated city in Georgia because of newly developed banks, mills, other businesses, and railroad centers. Very important to the Southern region Population reached to almost 155,000 by 1910.

Other Growth Factors Railroads – by 1870, the South had built more than 10,000 miles of railroad line. By 1890, this increased to almost 40,000 miles. This connected Southerners to regional and national markets. Labor unions were not successful because of poor working conditions and low wages Convict Labor – because of the need for workers, Southern legislature passed laws that made it possible for landowners to “lease” convicts (prisoners) to put them to work. Southern cities and towns grew rapidly: Market towns – populations of 5,000 – 10,000; usually had a cotton gin and stores Boosters – promoted the growth of their towns and wanted to make them even bigger.

Georgia Agriculture in the New South 70% of farmers grew cotton, which was a cash crop (sold easily and brought in the most money) Food Crops: Price of cotton wasn’t always reliable Peanuts, pecans, sweet potatoes, watermelons were some food crops grown. Peaches were so successful that they gave Georgia its nick name, “the Peach State.” Farmers: Most were either tenant farmers or sharecroppers – families worked together to survive Most African Americans were also either tenants or sharecroppers

International Cotton Exposition The Exposition opened in Atlanta Businessmen showcased their industries to show that the South was equal to other areas in the nation’s economy. Over 800,000 people visited the three-month long exposition to see its exhibits about modern equipment and cotton. Designed to show economic recovery

Progressive Movement

Populist Movement Populists - supporters of a political idea (populism) that supported the rights of the “common” people in their struggle with the wealthy people. Poor farmers and low wage workers were followers of Populists Grange and Farmer’s Alliance worked to protect farmers’ rights – joined with unions to create People’s (Populist) Party Started out a social groups but worked together to persuade lawmakers to help farmers. Tom Watson: Ran for the Georgia legislature Asked white and black farmers to elect him because he understood their problems – he won the election He eventually did not want the black vote and became hostile toward them (he only wanted their vote when he needed it) Worked for Rural Free Delivery bill to deliver mail to rural areas for free.

The County Unit System In 1917,the Neil Primary Act created the “county unit system.” Plan designed to give small counties more power in state government so that the larger counties (which contained large numbers of black voters) would have less power. Smaller counties had more county unit “votes” even though they had fewer voters People could be elected to office without getting a majority of votes Declared unconstitutional in 1962

Review Who popularized the term “The New South?” Who made up the “Bourbon Triumvirate?” What were their goals? Why was Atlanta important to the Southern region? Why was cotton considered a cash crop? Why was the International Cotton Exposition important for the South’s economy?

Review (True or False) The county unit system gave larger counties more power in the state government. The Grange and Farmers’ Alliance worked to persuade lawmakers to help them make more money. Tom Watson was a Populist who wanted the vote of white and black farmers.