1. Post WWII, Civil Rights & Modern Georgia
Units 7, 8, and 9
Events & Groups

2. SS8H10a: Explain how technology transformed agriculture and created a population shift within the state.
New machinery combined with new fertilizers made it easier to grow and process crops with less man-power
The number of farms decreased, but the size of farms increased
Many farmers (sharecroppers & tenant farmers) left the farms and headed for the cities to find jobs
Population shifted from rural to urban
1900: 85% of population in rural areas
Today: 75% of population in urban areas
Farming is still the most important part of Georgia’s economy bringing in $56 BILLION per year

3. SS8H10c: Describe the relationship between the end of the white primary and the 1946 governor’s race.
This was used by Southern whites to keep African-Americans from voting in the Democratic primary
Georgia was a one-party state at the time, the Democratic primary was essentially the election, thus disfranchising African-Americans
In 1945, Dr. Thomas Brewer, Primus King, and several other African- Americans sued the state over this practice. The federal district court ruled in favor of King and said this action was unconstitutional
Governor Ellis Arnall, did not fight the ruling and this practice ended in Georgia

4. Melvin Thompson & Ellis Arnall
SS8H10c: Describe the relationship between the end of the white primary and the 1946 governor’s race.
1. Eugene Talmadge elected governor but died before being sworn in
- People knew Eugene was sick so they wrote his son Herman’s name on the ballots
2. Lt. Governor Melvin Thompson claimed he should be the new Governor
- The GA General Assembly appointed Herman Talmadge as the Governor
3. The outgoing Governor, Ellis Arnall refused to leave the office until the matter was settled
- Three men claimed to be Governor at one time
4. The case went to the GA Supreme Court: Court ruled that Thompson would be Governor until a new election take place
special election: H. Talmadge beat M. Thompson
Eugene & Herman Talmadge
Melvin Thompson & Ellis Arnall

5. SS8H11a: Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v
SS8H11a: Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v. Board of Education including the 1956 flag and the Sibley Commission
This Supreme Court case challenged and eventually overturned the case of Plessy v. Ferguson which had allowed segregation to be legal.
The parents of African American children in Arkansas sued the school board because their children had to walk past a whites- only school to attend their school for “colored children”.
The parents argued that the school for their children was not equal to that of the white children.
The Supreme Court agreed with the parents, declaring separate but equal to be unconstitutional, violating the equal protection under the law provided by the 14th Amendment.

6. SS8H11a: Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v
SS8H11a: Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v. Board of Education including the 1956 flag and the Sibley Commission
One year after the Supreme Court ruling that made segregation illegal in the United States, the Georgia General Assembly voted to change the state flag to include the Confederate battle flag along with the state symbol.
At that time, changing the flag did not require a vote of the citizens.
Pre-1955 Flag
Brown v. Board rules segregation illegal
Georgia General Assembly adds Confederate cross to state flag
Post-1955 Flag

7. SS8H11a: Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v
SS8H11a: Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v. Board of Education including the 1956 flag and the Sibley Commission
Schools were ordered to integrate in 1954 “with all deliberate speed.” Most southern states actively resisted integration until the Federal Government started putting mandates in place for states to integrate.
A Georgia lawyer was tasked with holding 10 hearings across the state of Georgia to determine how citizens felt regarding integration.
60% of citizens (white and black) claimed they would rather close schools than integrate.
The state legislature was going to vote on the issue in January, 1961, but the federal government forced the University of Georgia to integrate in Atlanta city schools integrated for the school year.
The Sibley Commission

8. Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee
SS8H11b: Describe the role of individuals, groups, and events in the Civil Rights Movement
This organization was an important element in the struggle for civil rights. It was one of the major civil rights organizations of the 1960’s. John Lewis was a founding member.
A national organization formed in North Carolina, it worked with the Southern Leadership Conference and focused on orchestrating peaceful, non-violent protest.
The group, made up of high school and college-aged students, became known for sit-ins, freedom rides, and the “freedom summer” in Mississippi.
In Georgia, the group began its focus on the cities of Albany and Atlanta.
Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee

9. Southern Christian Leadership Conference
SS8H11b: Describe the role of individuals, groups, and events in the Civil Rights Movement
This organization was created in 1957 in Montgomery, Alabama in reaction to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Was led by Dr. King.
The headquarters moved to Atlanta and the group planned rallies, marches, and boycotts. They organized protests (the Albany Movement) and opportunities for the economic improvement of African-Americans throughout the South.
Though active throughout the Civil Right Movement, the group continues to strive to change and impact lives today, focusing on causes such as health care, prison reform, fair treatment of refugees, and job site safety.
Southern Christian Leadership Conference

10. SS8H11b: Describe the role of individuals, groups, and events in the Civil Rights Movement
Starting in the fall of 1961, members of SNCC and the local community began to protest the segregationist policies of the city. Massive resistance from whites and the police department led to over 500 protesters landing in jail.
To draw more national attention to the cause, the SNCC invited Martin Luther King, Jr. to take part in the protest. He was arrested, but released almost immediately.
The Albany Movement was considered to be a failure because it tried to do too much at once. It helped to shape future protests.

11. The March on Washington
SS8H11b: Describe the role of individuals, groups, and events in the Civil Rights Movement
In August of 1963, over 250,000 civil rights activists gathered in Washington D.C. to promote their cause and push for civil rights legislation.
During the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Martin Luther King, Jr. gave what is arguably his most famous speech: “I Have a Dream.”
The March on Washington encouraged the passage of the Civil Rights Acts of 1964 and The Voting Rights Act of 1965, and made King the most well-known spokesperson of the Civil Rights Movement.
The March on Washington

12. SS8H11b: Describe the role of individuals, groups, and events in the Civil Rights Movement
Encouraged by the March on Washington, the Johnson administration began working with Dr. King and other leaders to pass this piece of legislation.
This law was a federal legislation that forbade discrimination on the basis of race and sex in hiring, firing, and promotion.
Southern Democrats in Congress like Richard B. Russell, and Lester Maddox in GA, were very much against the passage of this act.
1964 Civil Rights Act

13. SS8H12c: Evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of hosting the 1996 Olympics on Georgia’s economic and population growth.
In 1990 after being awarded the chance to play host, Atlanta began to prepare to for this important international event.
In order to be ready, the city built new or added to existing sports venues, repaired its sidewalks, built public parks, added more hotel rooms, and revitalized the downtown area with new homes and apartments.
Short term benefits: New venues, businesses, infrastructure
Long term benefits: International recognition, increase in population and jobs, $5.1 billion in revenue

14. SS8H12d: Analyze Georgia’s role in the national and global economy of the 21st Century, with regard to tourism, Savannah port expansion, and the film industry.
Tourism has become the top 5th largest employer in the state. Providing 493,000 jobs and over $59 billion in revenue for the state.
Cities such as Atlanta and Savannah, and the coast of Georgia attract millions of visitors each year.
The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) will continue to make Savannah’s harbor one of the busiest in the U.S. The port at Savannah already contributes thousands of jobs and more than $67 billion in revenue.
SHEP will provide more than 350,000 jobs and add $18.5 billion in personal income.
Due to encouraging financial incentives, the diversity of locations for filming, and growing production resources and professional support, Georgia is the destination in the southeast for film production. The moderate climate allows for year-round production and the airport in Atlanta provides for quick transportation for members of the industry.
Since its creation in 1973 by then-governor Jimmy Carter, the Georgia Film Commission has grown to rank third behind California and New York.