SS8H8c Discuss the impact of the political career of Eugene Talmadge. Concept: Individuals – Groups - Institutions 1 1

What impact did Eugene Talmadge have on GA politics? ESSENTIAL QUESTION SS8H8c What impact did Eugene Talmadge have on GA politics? 2 2

Eugene Talmadge Political Career Pros Cons Controversy Goals & Beliefs Pros Cons Controversy Create a page in your ISN for Eugene Talmadge.

EUGENE TALMADGE: GOVERNOR OF GEORGIA WAS POPULAR AMONG RURAL FARMERS – COUNTY UNIT SYSTEM HELPED GET HIM ELECTED WAS AGAINST FDR’s NEW DEAL PROGRAMS – WHICH ACTUALLY HURT RURAL FARMERS WAS A WHITE SUPREMACIST – TRIED TO FIRE THOSE WHO SUPPORTED INTEGRATION OF SCHOOLS

Early political career In 1926, he won his first election as Commissioner of Agriculture, a position he held until 1930. as Agriculture Commissioner he was able to get the support of rural Georgia voters by presenting himself as an advocate for the farmer involved in a political scandal concerning the misappropriation of funds in the early 1930s. Used state funds to make annual trips to the Kentucky Derby Paid himself/family members $40,000

Becoming Governor ran for the office of governor in 1932. Due to his rural support and the power of the county unit system, he was elected in 1932 and again in 1934 as governor.

Campaign promises In his campaign, Talmadge promised Georgia voters he would balance the state’s budget, lower the utility rate, reduce the price of auto tags, and reorganize the state highway board. Talmadge lived up to his promises, though his means were questionable.

Questionable means “When the legislature refused to lower the price of automobile tags he did so by executive order. When the Public Service Commission, a body elected by the voters, refused to lower utility rates, he appointed a new board to get it done. When the highway board resisted his efforts to control it, he declared martial law and appointed more cooperative members to the board.”

Opinion of FDR and New Deal fought against Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, especially those that aided African-Americans, and opposed Roosevelt’s re-nomination in 1936. Due to a GA Constitutional Amendment barring Talmadge from being reelected in 1936, he made two unsuccessful campaigns for the U.S. Senate.

3rd term as Governor In 1940, he was reelected as governor (3rd time) and made a decision that greatly damaged the state’s university system. He was successful in forcing the University System Board of Regents to remove two faculty members of the University of Georgia for supporting integration. This led the Southern Association of College and Schools to remove the state’s accreditation of all white colleges.

The end of his career Bad decisions led to Talmadge’s defeat by Ellis Arnall in the next gubernatorial election. 1946 election - rural Georgians helped to reelect Talmadge, who was running on a segregationist platform, for a fourth term. However, Talmadge died before taking office. 3 governors controversy-Who should be governor? Melvin Thompson (Lt.Gov), or Eugene’s son Herman who had gotten write-in votes and was appointed by the state legislature. Arnall refused to leave the governor’s office until the situation was resolved. http://www.todayingeorgiahistory.org/content/three-governors-controversy

Did he harm Georgia? Misappropriated funds involved in a scandal fought against New Deal policies, especially those that aided African Americans supported the county unit system damaged the University System by causing it to lose accredidation promoted segregationist policies

Did Talmadge do anything good? lowered utility rates lowered car tag rates strong supporter of GA farmers

Concepts: Individuals and Groups SS8H9d Discuss President Roosevelt’s ties to Georgia including his visits to Warm Springs and his impact on the state. Concepts: Individuals and Groups 14 14

How did Roosevelt’s visits to Warm Springs impact the state of Georgia?

FDR Create a page in your ISN for FDR -Draw a picture of Georgia with a dot for Warm Springs -Draw a picture to represent the “Little White House”

The Little White House Warm Springs, Georgia http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xr7QBSCvaP0

Franklin Roosevelt visited Georgia over 40 times from 1913-1945. came to Georgia and stayed at his home in Warm Springs, which became known as the “Little White House” during his presidency. Frequently came to Warm Springs, GA so that he could exercise in the warm water pools of the spring to help ease the crippling effects of polio, a disease he had. used the seclusion of Warm Springs to take a break for the strain of his four terms in office.

made several appearances in GA gave many speeches throughout the state well loved and respected by most Georgians due to his New Deal program which provided aid to many suffering from the effects of the Depression. Georgians overwhelmingly supported Roosevelt in all four of his presidential contests.

Controversies However, his visits to GA were not without problems: Many in the North, including his wife Eleanor, did not think Roosevelt did enough to help end segregation and the lack of civil rights in Georgia and the rest of the South. He also angered many Georgians when he spoke against what he considered to be unfair labor practices in Georgia’s textile industry, and urged for them to remove conservative Democratic senator Walter F. George from office due to his efforts in blocking New Deal legislation.

His death 1945 when he was visiting Warm Springs, he died after suffering a massive stroke. Most Georgians were extremely saddened about the loss of their “adopted son.” Today, many people still go to Warm Springs for treatment of strokes and injuries at the Warm Springs Rehabilitation Center, and Roosevelt’s home is visited by thousands ever year.