The New South SS8H7: Student will evaluate key political, social, and economic changes that occurred in Georgia between 1877-1918 a. Evaluate the impact of the Bourbon Triumvirate, Henry Grady, International Cotton States Exposition, Tom Watson and the Populists, Rebecca Latimer Felton, the 1906 Atlanta Riot, the Leo Frank case, and the [effect that] the county unit system had on Georgia during this period.

Bourbon Triumvirate John Gordon Alfred Colquitt Joseph Brown Redemption Era : period after Reconstruction and before the “New South” Redeem the state from the hardships of Reconstruction (i.e.…The Republican Party) The Bourbon Triumvirate: Joseph Brown, Alfred Colquitt, and John Gordon Democrats who wanted stronger economic ties with northern industry but maintain “old South traditions” (White Supremacy) The three men dominated Georgia politics for a quarter century

The Bourbon Triumvirate Democrats controlled Georgia’s government after Reconstruction. Powerful Democratic leaders, known as the “Bourbon Triumvirate” were Joseph E. Brown, Alfred H. Colquitt, and John B. Gordon. Their goals were: expand Georgia’s economy and ties with industries in the North; maintain the tradition of white supremacy.

Joseph Brown Opened law office in Canton, GA State senator Judge N. Georgia farmer 1857: elected governor State’s rights activist Remained until June 1865—lost popularity by asking Georgians to go along with Rad. Repub. Policies, believing it would shorten Reconstruction Governor Joseph Brown

Alfred Colquitt Princeton Law School State congressman Served at Georgia’s secession convention Maj. Gen. in Confederate Army 1876: elected Governor State debt reduced New state constitution (1877) Alfred Colquitt

John B. Gordon Lt. Gen. John B. Gordon Lt. Gen. in Confederate Army US Senator from GA: 1872-1880 Resigned 1880 (scandal) Gov. Colquitt appointed Joseph E. Brown to fill his place Revolters within his own party (Democrat) felt that a corrupt deal had been struck Rebecca Latimer Felton was critical of his involvement Contributed to the Compromise of 1877—gave Rutherford B. Hayes the presidency in exchange for the removal of Federal troops from the South Manager of coal mine Rumored Head of Georgia’s KKK during Reconstruction 1886: elected Governor Brought new industry to Georgia Lt. Gen. John B. Gordon

The Bourbon Triumvirate group of three (Brown, Colquitt, Gordon)—wanted to strengthen economic ties with the North, while keeping white supremacy—considered old Southern traditions Successes State taxes lowered State war debts reduced Business and industry expanded Failures Did not improve lives of poor Education suffered Did not reform prisons Poor working conditions in factories

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. The convict lease system “rented” prisoners to companies to use as workers. It took many years for the poor conditions the prisoners endured to be brought to light and changed.

The New South Era Challengers to the Bourbon Triumvirate wanted Georgia to be more industrialized. Henry Grady was a speaker and newspaper editor. Grady described Georgia as a place which could have competitive industry and more efficient farming. Grady envisioned improved race relations in a “New South” which left its antebellum past behind.

“The New South” New South: A phrase used to describe southern progress in the late 1800s…Industry! Henry W. Grady: first to use the phrase…editor for the Atlanta Constitution Henry W. Grady Example of Georgia Industry

Henry Grady: “Voice of the New South” 1880: became managing editor of the Atlanta Constitution Known for his controversial editorials Visited northern cities and spoke about the “New South” Southern economy was growing as agriculture was replaced by industry (textile mills, coal mining, tobacco factories) Pointed out that race relations had improved (had they?) Ability to sell the New South brought jobs, recognition, and investments to GA economy Principal planner for 1881 International Cotton Exposition Increased circulation of Atlanta Constitution from 10,000 to 140,000 (used interview process) Died in 1889 at 39

International Cotton States Exposition In 1895, Atlanta hosted 800,000 visitors as a way to showcase the economic recovery of the South (in which cotton played a huge role) It was also used to highlight the region’s natural resources and to lure northern investors Visitors saw new machinery and learned how cotton was made into marketable products

Georgia’s Granges The National Grange Grange: Groups of Southern sharecroppers, tenant farmers, and farmers with small plots of land Faced growing debts Could not feed/clothe their families Could not pay their debts to merchants/landowners 1872: Georgia’s Granges become political (Along with others in the South and Midwest). Applied political pressure (lobbying) to state legislature and forced the formation of a State Department of Agriculture (1st in the nation) Established Grange-owned stores and cotton gins to reduce costs for farmers Helped establish that farmers wanted to improve their lives The National Grange

The Farmers’ Alliance Farmers’ Alliance: began as social organizations in the Northwest and the South. Formed co-ops: purchased goods and equipment directly from producers and sold to farmers at wholesale prices -cost of production (No taxes). Called for more U.S. production of paper money Higher credit limits to farmers

The Populist Movement Rose from farmers and workers who were becoming tired, poor, and discouraged! The Grange: name used for the “Patrons of Husbandry”, a group organized to allow social gatherings where farmers could talk about common problems. Early 1870s prices began to drop Banks not lending as much money to farmers

The Populist Party Platform: 8 hour workday The Farmers’ Alliance joined with labor organizations (unions) to form this new political party. Platform: 8 hour workday Gov’t ownership of railroad, telephone, and telegraph Graduated federal income tax Direct election of U.S. Senators Restriction of immigration Use of Australian Ballot: Ballot printed by gov’t, distributed at voting places, and collected in secret sealed boxes. 1892 Election: Democrat Grover Cleveland won…Populist candidate: James B. Weaver James B. Weaver White and black farmers

Tom Watson Georgia’s best known Populist. 1882: elected to Georgia General Assembly 1890: elected to Congress with backing of Farmers’ Alliance Introduced the Rural Free Delivery Bill (RFD): required the postmaster general to find a way to deliver mail to rural homes free of charge Created a boom in the building of roads, bridges, and other improvements needed for the delivery to rural areas. 1896: ran as vice-president under William Jennings Bryant (Lost) Tom Watson, Populist

The Progressive Era 1890-1920 Progressivism focused on a large number of economic, political, social, and moral reforms They wanted to outlaw the sale of alcohol, regulate child labor, restrict immigration, and ensure healthy food and drinking water They also wanted to give the public more control over government by changing voting, as well as give women the right to vote

Rebecca Felton A leader towards suffrage-votes, particularly for women. Pushed for temperance-anti-alcohol Popular writer for the “Atlanta Constitution” Used paper as a forum (Way to communicate ideas…TV, paper, radio, speech…) Began Georgia Training School for Girls in Atlanta With Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage First female U.S. Senator in nation’s history Replaced another Senator due to death (24 hours)

Rebecca and William Felton Roots of Populist Movement Led a group of independent Democrats against the Triumvirate From Cartersville William Felton: U.S. Congressman; served in GA General Assembly Worked to improve education, prison reform, and paved the way for controls and limits on alcohol. Rebecca Latimer Felton Picture of 1930 Prohibition

The County Unit System One of the issues Progressives fought for was for the people to play a larger role in government They accomplished this in Georgia by passing the Neill Primary Act in 1917 which established the county unit system This system allowed smaller, less populated counties to have the same power and influence in terms of voting as the larger counties It remained in effect until 1962

Prohibition Another cause of the Progressives was the temperance movement, or the banning of alcohol They accomplished this in 1920, with the passing of the 18th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which banned the “manufacture and sale of intoxicating liquors” Enforcing the law proved impossible and the Amendment was repealed in 1933 with the passing of the 21st Amendment This is the only time an amendment has been repealed

Women’s Suffrage The Women’s Suffrage Movement (women’s right to vote) began to gain steam after the Civil War It was picked up by the Progressives and eventually argued for by Progressive President Theodore Roosevelt The movement worked, and in 1920, the 19th Amendment was passed, which stated that the right to vote will not “be denied by the U.S. or any state” based on gender

Industrial Revolution New inventions and leaps forward in technology The rise of the factory and industry Assembly Line Poor, difficult and dangerous working conditions (Laissez-faire) Rise of the City (Urban) Labor Organizations: Unions Worked for the improvement of safety and working conditions in the work place. Religious and Charitable (Philanthropic) organizations came to the aid of workers and child laborers.

The Progressive Movement Goal: Progress! Society Business Government fight poverty improve working conditions votes for women prison reform outlaw alcohol break up large corporations regulate businesses decrease corporate power in government greater voice of “the people” more voters did not seek to increase participation of blacks in elections

Questions: 1) What does the term “Redemption Years” describe? 2) Who were the members of the Bourbon Triumvirate? 3) What did Joseph Brown fight for when he was Georgia’s governor? 4) What did Alfred Colquitt accomplish for Georgia when he was governor? 5) What did John Gordon accomplish for Georgia when he was governor? 6) What is the “New South”? 7) Who was the biggest advocate of the New South? 8) How did Henry Grady help Georgia during the New South years? 9) What was the purpose of the International Cotton States Exposition? 10) What is Populism? 11) What was Tom Watson concerned with in Georgia? 12) When was the Progressive Era? 13) What did the Progressive Movement focus on? 14) What is Rebecca Latimer Felton best known for? 15) What did the Neill Primary Act of 1917 do? 16) What was the temperance movement? 17) Which amendment passed Prohibition?

Questions, continued… 18) Which amendment repealed Prohibition? 19) What is women’s suffrage? 20) Which president argued for women’s suffrage? 21) Which amendment gave women the right to vote?