SS8H12 The student will explain the importance of significant social, economic, and political developments in Georgia since 1970. a. Evaluate the consequences of the end of the county unit system and reapportionment. b. Describe the role of Jimmy Carter in Georgia as state senator, governor, president, and past president. c. Analyze the impact of the rise of the two-party system in Georgia. d. Evaluate the effect of the 1996 Olympic Games on Georgia. e. Evaluate the importance of new immigrant communities to the growth and economy of Georgia.

County Unit System Designed to give voting power to rural areas even though most of the population growth was in urban areas In April 1962, it was ruled unconstitutional which shifted political power from sparsely populated rural areas to the more populated urban areas allowing black populations equal opportunity in electing representatives

Reapportionment One-person, one-vote concept Wesberry v. Sanders – U.S. Supreme Court ruled that legislative districts should depend on population and not county boundary lines The Georgia General Assembly had to reapportion (redraw) its Congressional voting districts to ensure that the districts were of equal population sizes

Jimmy Carter 1962 – Georgia Senate 1970 – Governor – cut executive agencies from 300 to 25, reformed judge selection process, equalized public school funding, expanded special ed. and vocational ed., pre-school and mental health services 1976 – President – national energy policy, major civil service reform, created Dept. of Education, negotiated the 1978 Camp David Peace Accords between Israel and Egypt, withdrew America from the 1980 Summer Olympics in Moscow after Russia invaded Afghanistan

Rise of the Two-Party System Shift during 1980s and 1990s Georgians started electing more and more Republicans to national offices while still electing Democrats to state offices 2002 - Sonny Perdue was the first Republican governor since Reconstruction; however, Democrats maintained control of the Georgia General Assembly

Georgia Hosts the Olympics Summer 1996: Atlanta hosted XXVI Olympiad 10,000 athletes from 197 countries 90,000 volunteers in Atlanta and other Georgia cities and locations Brought international attention to the city and state July 29, 1996: Bomb in Olympic Park killed one visitor and injured 117 Traffic problems brought much criticism Too many street vendors and commercialism were other concerns “Southern hospitality” and athletic competition were noteworthy Click to return to Table of Contents.

1996 Olympic Games Four major benefits: 1. Millions of dollars spent on world-class competition facilities (stadium, horse park, etc) 2. International recognition 3. Volunteer, educational, and training programs, as well as, thousands of employment opportunities 4. Brought millions of dollars to Georgia

Immigrants Dalton – Carpet industry attracts many immigrants from Mexico and Latin America countries Hall Co. (Gainesville) – Poultry Industry South Georgia – Vidalia Onion industry attracts migrant workers Many ethnic businesses and churches are operated in these areas