The New South Movement

Things, They are Changing! The year of 1876 was a notable year Centennial Celebration for the United States and Georgia General Custer and his entire force of 265 soldiers are killed by the Sioux Indians at the battle of Little Big Horn Alexander Graham Bell obtained a patent for his new invention-the telephone

Things, They are Changing

Things, They are Changing! Colorado is admitted to the union as the 38 th state Presidential election is decided by a deal struck between the southern democrats and the northern republicans that results in the official end of Reconstruction

Georgia is “Redeemed” Democrats had regained control of the governor’s office in 1872 Republican Party was quickly losing its strength as a political force in the state Blacks, due to intimidation, threats and other factors were staying away from the polls

Georgia is “Redeemed” The number of black office holders dropped dramatically Democrats continued to work to “redeem” Georgia-undo the changes made during reconstruction Democrats wanted to make sure that control of society rest in the hands of the white race-the idea of white supremacy

1877 Constitutional Convention The only hold out from reconstruction was the constitution of 1868 Convention called in 1877 to re-write the state constitution Robert Toombs (the unreconstructed rebel) took charge of the convention reminding delegates of the problems of the large debt and abuses of the reconstruction government-time to weaken state government

Georgia’s 1877 Constitution Most restrictive constitution in the state’s history Almost impossible for the state to borrow money Tax money could be spent only for purposes specifically spelled out in the constitution Term of office for governor reduced from four to two years Term of office for state senators is reduced from four to two years

The Bourbon Triumvirate Led by John B. Gordon, Alfred Colquitt and Joseph E. Brown Received strong support from Henry Grady Believed that the south’s future prosperity depended upon manufacturing and other industry

The Bourbon Triumvirate Wanted Georgia to become more self- sufficient Believed prosperity depended on attracting northern investors to build mills and factories Wanted farmers to diversify their crops to include more foods and grains

1895 Cotton Exposition Held to showcase the resources and achievements of Georgia’s industrial growth Booker T. Washington gives famous speech regarding role of African Americans in the south’s economic future By 1900, textile manufacturing becomes Georgia’s leading industry Factors leading to this growth, low taxes, cheap transportation (railroads), convenient location to cotton fields, mild climate and cheap and abundant labor

Industrial Georgia 1870’s-1880’s Henry Grady (editor of the Atlanta Constitution) travels to northern states encouraging businessmen to invest in the south Before Civil War- Georgia industries were centered along the Fall Line where water power was plentiful Grady now stresses the availability of natural resources, cheap labor and low taxes to attract industries on a larger scale 1881-Great International Cotton Exposition is held to showcase these factors to attract investors

New South Modernized economy White supremacy- keeping control of society in the hands of whites One-party politics-the Democratic Party Low taxes Limited role for government

1906 Atlanta Race Riot In 1906, one democratic nominee for governor called on the people to take away blacks right to vote There was a riot in Atlanta that left 25 black people dead and 1 white person

Leo Frank Leo Frank was Jewish manager of a pencil factory He was found guilty of murdering a 14 year old worker and he was sentenced to hang The governor commuted his sentence to life In 1915, anti-Jewish writings stirred people up, and some men went to state prison and got Frank and hung him.

Leo Frank

Independent Democrats Dr. William and Rebecca Latimer Felton led independent democrats Campaigned for little people and poor farmers Mrs. Felton led the way for women’s rights in Georgia

Farmer’s Alliance Campaigned for better schools, better roads, changes to state tax laws, and for the railroads to charge the same rates for everyone.

People’s Party (Populists) Tom Watson was a leader They were for political equality. They wanted all farmers, black and white, to unite Tom Watson sponsored one law in the U.S. Congress. This law provided Rural Free Delivery (RFD)

County Unit System Six largest counties had three representatives each 26 counties had two representatives 105 counties had one representative Each representative had two votes each Lasted until 1963

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