EQ: How have the end of the county unit system, reapportionment, and the two party system changed Georgia? Modern Georgia

County Unit System County unit system – established by the Neill-Primary Act (1917) 8 most populated counties got a total of 6 votes each, 30 medium counties got 4 total votes each, 121 small counties got 2 total votes each THEREFORE, the rural areas had more power over elections (i.e. the person who got the most votes did not win the election)

End of the County Unit System “One Person, One Vote”-- The concept that each citizen’s vote should equal every other citizen’s vote County-unit system was declared unconstitutional in 1962 (It violated the 14th amendment of the U.S. Constitution.) This change caused more representatives to come from urban areas General Assembly had to reapportion (redraw) voting districts to ensure districts of equal population size

Rise of the two-party system Voters elected Democrats and Republicans More African Americans were elected to state office. In 1980, Mack Mattingly was first Republican US Senator since Reconstruction – by 1992, most were Republicans Cynthia McKinney: Democrat, first black woman elected from Georgia to Congress John Lewis: Democrat, civil rights leader, senior member of Georgia’s congressional delegation

Political Changes in the South Newt Gingrich: Republican, became Speaker of the US House in 1994, “Contract with America” promised to reduce size of government, resigned in 1998 after poor election results for Republicans Sam Nunn: Democrat, served as US Senator 1972-1996, expert on military affairs Zell Miller: Democrat, Lt. Governor then Governor (1990-1999), known for educational improvements, “boot-camp” style prisons, state lottery for education – pre-Kindergarten, HOPE scholarships, promoted growth in North Georgia, became US Senator from Georgia

Georgia Elects Republican Governor Sonny Purdue, Republican, elected in 2002 First Republican governor in Georgia in 130 years Georgia legislature had Democratic majority until 2004 Georgians elected Republicans to the US Senate and most of the US House of Representatives Voters gave Georgia a two-party system

What change did NOT occur in Georgia as a result of the end of the county unit system? More political power went to the more heavily populated areas More women were elected to state office in the executive branch. More African Americans were elected to office in the state legislature. More members of the General Assembly were elected from the urban areas.

Which amendment did the county unit system violate? Thirteenth C. Fifteenth Amendment Fourteenth D. Sixteenth Amendment

How did the end of the county unit system change the focus of campaigning in Georgia? Political rallies were held less often. Candidates used television more often. Candidates had to appeal to voters statewide. Candidates concentrated on larger populated areas that had more voters.

EQ: What role did Jimmy Carter play in Georgia and the United States? Modern Georgia

Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter: 1962 – elected to the Georgia senate 1970 – elected governor of Georgia Reorganized Georgia’s executive branch (300 agencies reduced to 25) Appointed the first woman as a state judge

Jimmy Carter 1977-1980 served as President of the United States National energy policy Created the Department of Education As president he focused on human rights: negotiated the “1978 Camp David Peace Accords” (a peace treaty between Israel and Egypt) Established full diplomatic relations with China Withdrew U.S. from the 1980 Olympics to protest Russia’s invasion of Afghanistan Problems as president: high energy costs, high interest rates, high inflation, 52 American hostages held in Iran

Jimmy Carter Continued efforts after leaving office negotiating peace defeat diseases ensure fair elections build affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity writes books

EQ: How did the 1996 Olympic Games impact Georgia? Modern Georgia

Georgia Hosts the Olympics Summer 1996: Atlanta hosted XXVI Olympiad 10,000 athletes from 197 countries Georgia Tech and Georgia State University gained new residence facilities. World-class competition facilities were built Olympic Stadium Georgia Horse Park Wolf Creek Shooting Range Stone Mountain tennis facility Lake Lanier Rowing Center Click to return to Table of Contents.

More benefits for Georgia 90,000 volunteers in Atlanta and other Georgia cities and locations Brought international attention to the city and state – millions of visitors as well as millions of television viewers Millions of dollars impacted Georgia’s economy

Problems July 29, 1996: Bomb in Olympic Park killed one visitor and injured 117 (created a sense of fear for the athletes and spectators) Severe traffic congestion brought criticism from the press about Atlanta’s lack of infrastructure (i.e. roads, bridges)

How have immigrant communities contributed to the growth and economy of Georgia? Modern Georgia

Immigrants People from Latin American countries have come to northwest Georgia to work. Carpet industry in Dalton Poultry industry around Gainesville Onion crop in Vidalia (seasonal workers) Pecan industry around Albany Economic impact More churches Hispanic businesses Restaurants More students in schools

How do the four transportation systems influence Georgia’s economy?

Transportation Georgia has FOUR transportation systems that work together to connect our state with world trade. Airports Over 260 airports Atlanta-Hartsfield-Jackson International airport Busiest in the world Largest employer in the state of Georgia Headquarters of Delta Airlines Passengers have 2 hour access (or less) to 80% of the U.S. Multiplier effect on the economy ?????

Transportation Georgia Ports Authority 2 deepwater ports (Savannah and Brunswick) Connected to the railroad system and interstate system Provide worldwide access Can ship large amounts and large cargo including liquids, automobiles, etc Economic impact: $2 billion income, 81,000 jobs, almost $600 million in taxes to state and local government Top exports: wood pulp, paper, food (poultry) Top imports: furniture, retail goods, machinery-appliances-electronics

Highway system Connects every city in the continental U.S. Connects with ports, airports, and railroads Over 1200 miles of interstates, 17.800 miles of state highways, 25,000 truckers

Railroads Georgia has over 5,400 miles of railroad tracks Connect every major city in Georgia Ability to haul large amounts and large cargo Liquids Livestock Automobiles

Major Georgia businesses Coca-Cola (been there done that) Georgia Pacific Started in Augusta as a wholesaler of hardwood lumber Today one of the leading manufacturers of markers of tissue, pulp paper, packaging, building products, and related chemical 50,000 employees, 300 worldwide locations Examples Brawny paper towels Dixie plates and cups Quilted Northern toilet paper

Delta Delta Airlines (started in crop dusting in Macon) Headquarters in Atlanta More destinations than any other global airline Over 80,000,000 domestic passengers and over 10,000,000 international per year Over 60,000 employees

Home Depot Created by Bernie Marcus (the guy who helped build the GA Aquarium) and Arthur Blank (yes, the Falcon’s owner) Home improvement stores set up as warehouse stores Focused on customer service Offers over 40,000 products Started in Georgia and spread throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and China