1. Modern Civil Rights Movement
1940’s-1950’s

2. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
From its founding in 1733 until 1865, Georgia, like many southern states depended on slavery for the economic stability.
Change came slow for the state with the 1940’s and 1950’s being a time of great social change.
The changes set the stage for the modern civil rights movement.

3. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
A Slow Beginning
Herman Talmadge was the governor of GA from and also served as a 4 term U.S. Senator for GA.
He won the 1946 governors race in the Three Governor Episode
In the 1940’s and early 1950’s the schools were segregated according to race.
Herman, like his father did not support integration

4. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
End of the White Primary
The White Primary was a means of controlling black votes and assuring only whites would hold office in GA.
This cut blacks out of the political process.
It kept white-supremist in office and kept blacks unrepresented.
A Supreme Court decision struck down the white primary usage for Georgia in 1946.

5. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
Brown v. Board of Education
Topeka Kansas Case in 1954
Landmark Supreme Court case over segregation
White citizens wanted schools to remain segregated.
Supreme Court ruled that schools must be integrated.
All GA schools would not be integrated until 1972
Case helped launch the Civil Rights movement

6. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
Georgia Flag
1955- Democratic leader wanted new flag with
confederate battle flag symbols
1956- General Assembly changes flag
Seen as a sign that Georgia will continue to fight for old south ways

7. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
Benjamin Mays
Minister and president of Morehouse College
Where Martin Luther King Jr went
Emphasized
dignity for all humans
challenge segregation around them

8. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1940’s-1950’s
Dr. Martin Luther King
Leader of Civil Rights movement
-Black soldiers who had defended their country came
back to the same racial inequalities
-Gained momentum after the arrest of Rosa Parks
Wanted nonviolent protests
-gained support in this manner
-Marches and protests calling for equal rights for “all”
Assassinated in Memphis, Tennessee April 4th 1968

9. Modern Civil Rights Movement
1960’s-1970’s

10. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1960’s-1970’s
SNCC- Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committees
- encouraged young people to join the fight for civil rights
- Freedom riders rode on segregated buses
- Sit-ins would include blacks asking for service in white restaurants and businesses
Sibley Commission
-General Assembly committee on
Schools
- gathered information of how people felt about desegregation *Whose rights were these organizations trying to protect protect?

11. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1960’s-1970’s
University of Georgia
Hamilton Holmes & Charlayne Hunter were the first two African-American to attend the University of Georgia in 1961.
Life was difficult for them on campus (riots and lack of acceptance)
In 2001 the registration building on campus was renamed the Hunter-Holmes Building
Holmes would become a surgeon and Hunter a correspondent with CNN
*What culture’s experience is somewhat like this today in Adel?
Mountains ex.

12. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1960’s-1970’s
Albany Movement
Began as a movement to integrate Albany, GA
SNCC members, local volunteers, and Dr. King played a part in the registration of black voters and fighting segregation in Albany.
March on Washington
Site of Dr. King’s “I have a Dream” speech
Had the following goals:
-Meaningful civil rights laws -Full & fair employment
-Federal works program -Decent housing & voting rights
-Adequate integrated education
*How do you think King’s actions helped other minorities?

13. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1960’s-1970’s
Civil Rights Act
Due to the work of civil rights movement, Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964
-Made it illegal for public facilities segregate.
-Guaranteed equal voting rights
-Banned any form of segregation from companies that did business with the federal government
-Demanded integration of public schools
In 1972 this was extended with the Equal Employment Opportunity
Act to protect women in the workplace.
*Who might be helped by these laws in the future

14. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1960’s-1970’s
Maynard Jackson
Atlanta’s mayor in 1973
Was the first African-American elected as mayor of a southern city
Encouraged programs that increased the number of African-American in the city’s workforce
Andrew Young
An aide to Martin Luther King
Elected as U.S. Representative
for Georgia (1st black since 1860)
Later named by President Carter as an
Ambassador to the United Nations
Elected as mayor after Jackson
*What does the election of these men tell us about race relations?

15. Modern Civil Rights Movement 1960’s-1970’s
Lester Maddox
Was a strong segregationist that refused to serve
blacks in his restaurant (threatened them with an axe handle)
Chose to close his business rather than serve blacks
Entered the political arena, eventually becoming the governor
Despite his segregationist past, he appointed more African-Americans to state offices than any governor before him
Later ran for Lt. Governor and won.
*Why do you think Lester Maddox was friendly to blacks as the governor?