What was the impact of Eugene Talmadge’s political career?

First round as governor (1933-1937) Appealed to rural white voters. Promised to lower car tag fees, balance the state budget, lower utility rates, and reorganize the state highway board

First round as governor (1933-1937) Was a very strong executive The General Assembly refused to lower the price of car tags, he did it anyway. When the highway board would not give in to his control, he declared martial (military) law and picked new members Had the state treasurer physically removed from his office in the state capitol building.

Disagreed with FDR and New Deal Openly opposed many parts of the New Deal including minimum wage, Social Security, and unemployment insurance Called FDR a socialist and sought to run against him for president Instead, ran against Sen. Richard Russell and lost

Changes in Georgia _______________ became governor in 1936 and GA joined the New Deal completely by building ________________________(pick 3). Other items in the “little New Deal” included money for ____________ for schools, creation of the _______________, and requiring drivers _____________________.

Still popular with voters 1940 – ran for governor for a 3rd time and won by telling white voters the New Deal was trying to end segregation.

Talmadge and higher education 1941 – Word spread that some college officials were wanting to integrate state colleges. Talmadge fired the Dean of Education at UGA and the president of Georgia Teachers College in Statesboro (now Georgia Southern)

Talmadge and higher education The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools took away the accreditation (official approval) of white public colleges in GA. Made national headlines. Georgia college credits were worthless outside of the state. Talmadge was defeated by Ellis Arnall in 1942 – the only governor’s election he lost

Everything old is new again 1946 – Talmadge ran for governor – yet again. He did not win the popular vote but won the county unit vote, which meant he won the election. Talmadge died in December before officially taking office and 3 men claimed to be governor