Mrs. Streeter's 8th Grade     Georgia Studies Class

SS8H10 a. Explain how technology transformed agriculture and created a population shift within the state.

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World War II brought many changes in agriculture and technology in Georgia. Diversification in agriculture became necessary for farmers to provide income for their families. The Great Migration of African Americans or Blacks caused changes in farm labor. Not only were African Americans or Blacks escaping farm life, many whites flocked to cities in search of a better life. Atlanta’s population grew rapidly due to the economic opportunities encouraged by progressive mayors. The state endured the 1946 governor’s race and saw the end of the white primary. 

Several factors caused Georgia’s population to shift from rural to urban areas. These factors included the destruction of the cotton crop by the boll weevil, the Great Migration of African Americans or Blacks to northern cities, the movement of both blacks and whites to Georgia’s industrial centers and factories during both World Wars, and the AAA’s payments to farmers to stop them from growing crops during the Great Depression.

However, another major factor occurred after World War II. A major technological change in agricultural equipment further lessened the need for large numbers of agricultural workers. Some of the more important technological changes were larger tractors, reapers, and other machinery, combined with better fertilizers that made it easier to grow and process crops with much less man power. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*Tip: Though the rural population in Georgia has decreased from almost 85% in 1900 to less than 25% today, according to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, farming is still the most important part of Georgia’s economy, bringing in $56 billion a year to the state.

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SS8H10 b. Explain how the development of Atlanta under mayors William B. Hartsfield and Ivan Allen, Jr. impacted the state.

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William B. Hartsfield (1890-1971) is primarily known for two things. The first was his active support in bringing air transportation to the state. The second was his coinage of the phrase often used to describe Atlanta’s racial tolerance: “the city too busy to hate.” Nevertheless, Hartsfield, who never graduated from high school or college, was significant for other reasons. Primarily he was Atlanta’s longest serving mayor (1937-1941; 1942-1961), and his support of the civil rights movement kept Atlanta from the racial violence that engulfed many other southern cities.  

 

 

 

 

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Born in Atlanta, Hartsfield attended the city’s public schools. Though he never finished high school, as a young man Hartsfield found work in a law firm and spent his nights studying for the bar exam. After being admitted into the bar, he opened his own law firm in 1921. In 1922, Hartsfield began his political career when he was elected to the Atlanta city council. As a member of the council, Hartsfield commenced his lifelong support of aviation and was instrumental in opening Atlanta’s first airport in 1925. 

In 1937, Hartsfield became mayor of Atlanta. In his first term, he did many things to help the city during the depression, including convincing Robert Woodruff, the president of the Coca-Cola Company, to finance the city’s 1936 December payroll. Though Hartsfield lost the 1940 election, he was reelected in 1942 when Atlanta mayor Robert Le Craw left to fight in World War II. Hartsfield remained in the mayor’s office for almost 20 years. 

During his second tenure as mayor, Hartsfield was instrumental in the calm integration of Atlanta’s public schools, as well as, tripling Atlanta’s size by annexing several square miles, overseeing the building of many public parks, and expanding Atlanta’s expressway system. It was during his administration that Atlanta’s political and business leaders called Atlanta “The City Too Busy to Hate.” Hartsfield retired from public office in 1961. After his death in 1971, Atlanta named its airport Hartsfield International in his honor.  

Ivan Allen, Jr., Atlanta’s mayor from 1962-1970, continued William B. Hartsfield’s aggressive development policies. However, he was also more adamant in the fight for civil rights as well. For example, on Allen’s first day as mayor he had all of the white and “colored” signs removed from city hall and desegregated the building’s cafeteria. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Allen was the son of business leader Ivan Allen, Sr. Born in Atlanta, Allen graduated from Georgia Tech and worked in his father’s office products company. From 1942-1945 he served in World War II, and after the war, became president of his father’s company in 1946. As a leading figure in Atlanta for many years after World War II, Allen decided to run for mayor in 1961. A proponent for civil rights, Allen worked with Martin Luther King Jr. and Atlanta’s business leaders to secure the city’s smooth transition into desegregation.  

Allen also continued to bring growth to the city. He was instrumental in the building of Interstate 285, was an early advocate of the M.A.R.T.A. (Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority) commuter rail line, and was responsible for 55 new building projects during his tenure as mayor. 

Perhaps Allen may be best known for his support of bringing major league sports teams to the city. He convinced Atlanta’s political, economic and social leaders to financially support the construction of major league stadiums. This gave Atlanta an aura of being a “Major League City” and their facilities ultimately helped to bring the 1996 Olympic Games to the city. Allen brokered the deal to bring the Braves to Atlanta in 1966. He also persuaded the NFL to start a new franchise in the city, which became known as the Atlanta Falcons. The basketball team, the Hawks, would follow in 1968. While these sports teams have been mainstays since their arrival, Atlanta has been the home of many other professional sports teams including men’s hockey, arena league football, and women’s soccer and basketball. 
 

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SS8H10 c. Describe the relationship between the end of the white primary and the 1946 governor’s race.

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One of the more embarrassing episodes in Georgia’s history was the 1946 governor’s race, also known as the “Three Governors Controversy.” This episode made Georgia a nationwide laughing stock. More importantly, this election led to a series of segregationist governors who ended some of the progressive reforms made by Governor Ellis Arnall.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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As the name implies, after the 1946 election three men claimed the governor’s office. Initially, Eugene Talmadge was elected for his fourth term. However, he died before taking office. Many of Eugene Talmadge’s supporters believed that, due to his poor health, he may die before he could be sworn in as governor. They discovered that, based on past Georgia law, the General Assembly would have the power to select the second or third leading vote-getter if the governor-elect died before taking office. With this in mind, many secretly wrote in Herman Talmadge for governor. 

However, the new Georgia Constitution stated that the lieutenant governor would take office if the governor died. In the 1946 election, Melvin Thompson, who was a member of the anti-Talmadge faction of the Democratic Party, was elected lieutenant governor and claimed the office for himself upon Talmadge’s death. Nonetheless, in January of 1947, the General Assembly selected Herman Talmadge as governor. 

During the same time, the outgoing governor, Ellis Arnall, refused to relinquish the office until the issue was resolved as he believed that the General Assembly did not have the authority to elect a governor. Due to Arnall’s affiliation with the anti-Talmadge Democrats, physical altercations resulted with some of Talmadge’s followers. Talmadge eventually had state troopers escort Arnall out of the State Capitol and changed the locks of the governor’s office. Arnall, in turn, refused to give up the governor’s seal and set up a second “governor’s office” in a different location of the State Capitol. 

Arnall finally gave up his claim to the governorship and supported Thompson. In the end, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Thompson was the rightful governor and Talmadge left the governor’s office within two hours of the ruling. A special election was called in 1948 and Herman Talmadge closely defeated Thompson.  

The white primary was used by Southern whites to keep African-Americans or Blacks from voting in the Democratic primary. Due to the fact that Georgia was a one-party state at the time, the Democratic primary was essentially the election, thus keeping African-Americans or Blacks from truly voting. In 1944, several African-Americans or Blacks, led by Dr. Thomas Brewer and Primus E. King, a barber and minister, attempted to vote in the white primary in Columbus, Georgia. King was told that he could not vote and was forcefully removed from the court house. In 1945, Brewer, King, and several other African-Americans or Blacks sued the state. In the court case King v. Chapman et al., the federal district court ruled in favor of King and said the white primary was unconstitutional. Governor Ellis Arnall, did not fight the ruling and the white primary ended in Georgia. 

*Tip: Eugene Talmadge ran on a platform to reinstate the white primary and was elected for a fourth term. 
 

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****SS8H11 a. Explain Georgia’s response to Brown v. Board of Education including the 1956 flag and the Sibley Commission

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The 1940’s and 50’s saw a major push by African-Americans or Blacks to fight segregation and reclaim the civil rights that were denied them during the Jim Crow era. While the Civil Rights Movement began from the moment the southern states passed the Jim Crow laws, the 1940’s and 50’s were a time of organized, and usually, peaceful resistance that helped to end these laws. African-Americans or Blacks who were returning home from World War II began to push for civil rights. Based on their role in the war, President Harry Truman desegregated the armed forces. Nationally, organizations such as the NACCP went to court to combat unjust segregation laws and won many of the cases. In turn, leaders such as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis of Georgia focused on ending segregation with the use of economic boycotts similar to the Montgomery Bus Boycott of 1954. 


In 1954, Georgia’s response to the Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education was deliberate and extreme. Segregationist politicians had tirelessly worked to continue and strengthen the years-old Jim Crow laws in the state, and, upon hearing the Court’s 9 - 0 decision that racial segregation violated the 14th Amendment, determined that Georgia schools would not integrate. The Georgia General Assembly supported “massive resistance” (white opposition to court ordered desegregation) and maintained a strong opposition to the forced integration of public schools. By 1960, however, federal mandates were strongly encouraging Georgia to desegregate, and Governor Ernest Vandiver asked the citizens of the state to render their input regarding the controversy via the Sibley Commission.  ***click this link to see a primary source of Brown v. Board of Education.
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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John Sibley, a segregationist lawyer who also believed resistance to federal mandates was useless, led ten hearings across the state to determine if the people felt that they should continue to resist the federal government or change laws to integrate schools (Sibley wanted laws that would allow integration on a very small scale). After the sessions, 60% of Georgians claimed that they would rather close the public schools than to integrate. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the findings, Sibley pushed for schools in Georgia to desegregate on a limited basis. Based on the commission’s findings, the legislature was set to vote on the matter in January 1961, but the integration of the University of Georgia shifted the governor’s and the legislature’s focus. After attempting to close the University of Georgia, only to be overruled by a federal judge, Vandiver gave in and asked the General Assembly to accept Sibley’s recommendations. Later that year, the city of Atlanta desegregated its schools. 

Meanwhile, in an attempt to show disdain to Supreme Court decisions such as Brown v Board of Education, in 1956, Georgia’s legislators voted to change the state flag to incorporate the Confederate battle flag. The state constitution provided the legislature the sole authority to change the flag so no public referendum was necessary to make the change. While legislators denied that the change in flag design was an overt display of opposition to desegregation, the new flag design was almost certainly racially motivated. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the height of the civil rights movement in the late 1960’s, suggestions to return to the pre-1956 flag were stirring. By the 1980’s, legislative sessions considered restoring the pre-1956 flag. Sentiment for keeping the 1956 flag was stronger than the state legislators anticipated, however, and, in 1993, Governor Zell Miller’s attempt to change the flag almost cost him re-election. Even the impending 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and Atlanta business leaders were unable to persuade the General Assembly to change the flag. 

Finally, Governor Roy Barnes attempted to put the issue of the 1956 flag to rest. Before coalitions could be organized to slow or stop the change of the flag, Barnes encouraged the legislature to pass HB 16. After it was passed and the new flag design was revealed, supporters of the 1956 flag were livid, with some calling the new flag the “Barnes Rag”. With the upset victory of Sonny Perdue over Barnes in 2002, the flag issue continued to be debated. By 2004, citizens of Georgia voted to choose the current state flag over the Barnes flag. 
 

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****SS8H11 b. Describe the role of individuals (Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis), groups (SNCC and SCLC) and events (Albany Movement and March on Washington) in the Civil Rights Movement.

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Essential to the success of the Civil Rights Movement was leadership. While many leaders were working to effectively seek change, Georgians Martin Luther King, Jr. and John Lewis were at the forefront of the movement. 

Arguably, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) is the most well-known Georgian for his tireless leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. His work and his devotion to non-violent protest earned him the Nobel Peace Prize and led to the national holiday created in his honor. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Born in Atlanta, King graduated from high school at the age of 15, and began his college studies at Morehouse College, a historically black institution of higher learning. As the son and grandson of ministers, King eventually chose the same profession. He earned his Ph.D. in Divinity from Boston University. It was there that he met his wife Coretta Scott.  

In 1954, King accepted an offer to become the pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church in Montgomery, Alabama. A year later, he found himself serving as the spokesperson for the successful Montgomery Bus Boycott. When Alabama prosecuted King for violating the state's anti-boycotting statute, his attorneys transformed a hostile courtroom into an empowering forum in which the target of state power fared better politically than the state itself. Without the suit and the eventual support of the Supreme Court, the boycott may well have ended without attaining any of its goals, a result that may have been cruelly discouraging. Eventually, the Supreme Court made segregation on Montgomery busses unconstitutional. After the successful boycott, King, along with other civil rights groups, attempted a similar action in Albany, Georgia that was considered to be less successful. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, King’s short career seemed to follow this pattern of brilliant victories such as the March on Washington, his creation of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), his voter registration campaign in Selma, Alabama (which ultimately led to the Voting Rights Act of 1965), and winning the Nobel Peace Prize. However, these victories were followed by unsuccessful campaigns such as his focus on discrimination in Chicago, Illinois.  
 

 

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Nonetheless, King was instrumental in ending segregation and changing America’s views on race and racial equality. Unfortunately, while he did not live to see the fruits of his labor, his efforts and leadership have led to an America where some of the ideals from his I Have a Dream speech have been met. Martin Luther King, Jr. is the only African-American or Black to have a federal holiday named in his honor. Also, he is the only African-American or Black and non-president to have a memorial created in his honor on the National Mall in Washington D.C. 

U. S. Representative John Lewis (b. 1940), born to sharecroppers in Pike County, Alabama, Lewis became an integral part of Georgia’s history through his leadership in the Civil Rights Movement. Active in the 1960’s sit-ins to protest Jim Crow laws, Lewis also participated in the Freedom Rides of the early 1960’s. He became the chair of the new organization, the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC - pronounced “snick”), an Atlanta-based organization of young college students devoted to civil rights change. With Dr. King, Lewis was a keynote speaker at the 1963 March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. In 1965, Lewis also led over 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama only to be beaten by Alabama state troopers. Television coverage of this “Bloody Sunday” event brought much needed attention to the Civil Rights Movement. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the late 1960’s and 70’s, Lewis continued his dedication to seeking civil rights through voter registration and volunteer programs. Elected to the Atlanta City Council in 1981, he advocated for ethics in government and community preservation. In November 1986, Lewis was elected to the United States Congress from the Fifth Congressional District where he continues to serve today. Lewis has won numerous awards through the years that reflect his dedication to seeking civil rights for all. He has co-authored MARCH, a trilogy of graphic novels for young people to help explain the Civil Rights Movement. 

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC - pronounced “snick”) was an important element in the struggle for civil rights. The SNCC was one of the major civil rights organizations of the 1960’s. 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. 

 

 

 

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In Georgia, the group began its focus on the cities of Albany and Atlanta. In Albany, the group was at the forefront of the Albany Movement, which many considered to be unsuccessful. However, the Albany Movement was beneficial in helping the group later organize more successful protests. In Atlanta, the group organized successful sit-ins in 1960. After moving their focus from Mississippi back to Atlanta in 1964, the group was victorious in helping African-Americans or Blacks gain several General Assembly seats in the reapportionment election. An example of this was the election of Julian Bond, who was the SNCC’s communications director. Bond retained his seat in the General Assembly for 20 years. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) was created in 1957 in Montgomery, Alabama in reaction to the Montgomery Bus Boycott. Led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was living in Montgomery at the time, the organization eventually was supported by Southern religious leaders. The headquarters for the SCLC was moved to Atlanta. Filing class-action law suits against the federal government for sustaining segregated employee cafeterias, the SCLC planned rallies, marches, and boycotts to end such scenarios. The SCLC organized protests (the Albany Movement) and opportunities for the economic improvement of African-Americans or Blacks throughout the South. Though active throughout the Civil Right Movement, the SCLC continues to strive to change and impact lives. Never forgetting its original goal of civil rights equality, the SCLC today focuses on causes such as health care, prison reform, fair treatment of refugees, and job site safety. 

The Albany Movement. After the success of the Montgomery Bus Boycott in 1955, civil rights leaders in other southern cities sought to challenge segregation laws. One of the cities selected was Albany, in southwest Georgia. 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. However, unlike Montgomery, many of Albany’s black middle class did not initially support the protests. In turn, police Chief Laurie Pritchett used non-violent tactics to arrest, but not harm the protestors.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

To draw more national attention to the cause, the SNCC invited Martin Luther King, Jr. to take part in the protest. Though arrested many times, King was released from jail almost immediately (though against his will). Chief Pritchett also made sure he had enough room to imprison all the protestors and worked with other counties to send the demonstrators to their jails as well. In the end, most of the protestors were jailed leaving very few to protest. 

By the summer of 1962, King viewed the Albany Movement as a failed attempt to desegregate an entire community, but a valuable learning experience. He used what he learned, including the power of protest songs, in his successful Birmingham campaigns. However, the African-American or Black citizens of Albany believed that they had accomplished much. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, after King and the members of SNCC left the city, black voter registration led to a run-off election for an African-American or Black nominee for a county commission seat. More importantly, the next spring the “county commission removed all segregation statutes from their books.” In 1998, the Albany Civil Rights Institute opened to commemorate the Civil Rights Movement and the role Albany played.

The March on Washington. In 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. 
 

 

 

 

 

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Throughout the 1960’s, civil rights activists for the Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) continued to target Georgia. In 1963, Savannah became one of the most integrated cities in the South, due to the efforts of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Soon after, Atlanta Mayor Ivan Allan, Jr., Coca-Cola president Robert Woodruff, and other business leaders, worked with civil rights leaders to ensure that Atlanta desegregated peacefully. In the 1970’s, Governor Jimmy Carter called for an end to discrimination in Georgia, and African-Americans or Blacks such as Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young were elected to high political office. Still, Georgia was slow to change its segregationist polices, especially in the rural areas of the state. 
 

****SS8H11 c. Explain the resistance to the 1964 Civil Rights Act, emphasizing the role of Lester Maddox.

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Encouraged by the March on Washington, the U.S. Congress passed the Civil Rights Act of 1964. This bill was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The Civil Rights Act of 1964 forbade discrimination on the basis of sex and race in hiring, promoting, and firing. 

Southern Congressional Democrats, led by Senator Richard Russell, strongly opposed the passage of the legislation. The Republican Party welcomed segregationists who no longer felt comfortable in the Democratic Party. Some segregationists were determined to ignore the new law and responded with physical violence. However, without violence, most southerners accepted the controversial passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. It was during this period of great social and political change in Georgia that future governor, Lester Maddox (1915-2003), gained notoriety for his strong, unshakeable segregationist stand. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Born in Atlanta in 1915, Maddox dropped out of high school and he worked several jobs, including the Bell Bomber factory during World War II. In 1947, he opened the Pickrick Cafeteria near the campus of Georgia Tech. Open only to white customers, Maddox refused to serve African-Americans or Blacks and anyone who suggested integration. His restaurant featured segregationist literature and a wishing well labeled “Make a Wish for Segregation.” He gained fame throughout Georgia due to his advertisements for the restaurant that he placed in the Atlanta Journal newspaper. His open defiance of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 caused him national exposure as well as the time when he chased three African-Americans or Blacks out of his restaurant with a gun. Later, he was known throughout the nation for his use of ax handles (“Pickrick drumsticks”) to forcefully remove African-Americans or Blacks who tried to integrate his restaurant. Maddox temporarily closed the Pickrick and later opened it as the Lester Maddox Cafeteria, claiming that he was not in contempt of court because he would serve “acceptable Georgians”, not out-of-state travelers or integrationists. When the courts upheld the Civil Rights Act, Maddox was found in contempt of court due to his refusal to serve African-Americans or Blacks. Being fined $200 per day, two months later, he closed the cafeteria rather than allow it to be integrated. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maddox’s initial entry into politics was met with defeat. In the late 1950’s and early 1960’s, he ran two unsuccessful campaigns for mayor of Atlanta, losing to William B. Hartsfield and Ivan Allen, Jr. He also ran for Lieutenant Governor in 1962, losing to another segregationist candidate in the Democratic primary. 

In 1966, Maddox surprised many by beating Ellis Arnall for Governor in the Democratic primary. In the general election, he actually lost the popular vote to Republican candidate Bo Callaway, but was selected by the Georgia Legislature due to Callaway not gaining a majority. As the last overtly segregationist governor in the state’s history, ironically, Maddox appointed more African-Americans or Blacks to government positions than all prior Georgia governors combined. He also received support of both whites and blacks alike due to his “little people’s days.” Twice a month, average people could stand in line to meet with the governor. Nonetheless, Maddox was criticized for not allowing flags at state buildings to be flown at half-mast after the death of Martin Luther King, Jr., and for his fight against the civil rights platform of the Democratic Party at their 1968 National Convention. After his term as Governor was over, due to constitutional term limits, Maddox ran for Lieutenant Governor. As Governor Jimmy Carter’s Lieutenant Governor, he often clashed with Carter over many issues.  

Maddox ran for governor again in 1974 but was defeated. He also ran for U. S. president in 1976. After retiring from politics, he operated several other businesses, but none were as profitable as the Pickrick Cafeteria. Throughout his life, he never apologized for his defense of segregation. Maddox died of cancer at the age of 87.
 

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SS8H12 a. Explain how the continued development of Atlanta under mayors Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young impacted the state.

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City leaders in Atlanta and state officials tried to meet the economic changes and related growth that occurred in Georgia in the late 20th century. 

During the years of the late 20th century, Atlanta experienced great political, economic, and cultural change as it grew into a metropolis. Its physical and economic growth was encouraged by leaders such as Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young. 

Maynard Jackson (1938-2003) was the first African-American or Black mayor of a major southern city. Born in Dallas, Texas, Jackson and his family moved to Atlanta in 1945. Jackson attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, and spent time seeking a law degree in Massachusetts and North Carolina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jackson eventually moved back to Georgia and, in 1968, ran against Herman Talmadge for the U.S. Senate where he lost handily. However, he won the majority of votes from the city of Atlanta and became a force to be reckoned with in Atlanta’s politics. The next year, he became vice-mayor of Atlanta, and four years later, was elected mayor. He was only 35 years old at the time of his election. 

Serving as mayor of Atlanta from 1973-1981 and again from 1990-1994, Jackson was instrumental in providing more contract work to black-owned businesses and expanding Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport. He also sought to add more African American or Black police officers to the city’s police force and to make sure that more African-Americans or Blacks were promoted in the department. Jackson encouraged Atlanta to become a financial center and distribution hub for the southeast. He also expanded international convention facilities and sold Atlanta’s image as a major convention center to the state, nation and world. He improved city housing and social conditions through Affirmative Action programs. Jackson also improved the mass transit system, making it one of the most modern in the United States. During his term in the 1990’s, he worked closely with Andrew Young and Billy Payne to bring the Olympics to the city. All of his accomplishments affected the entire state of Georgia. 

Jackson retired from public life in 1994 due to health problems. He continued to be active in business and started his own security and bond company. There was discussion in 2003 of him running for the U.S. Senate but poor health caused him to withdraw from the race. Jackson died later that year in Washington D.C. In his honor, the city of Atlanta renamed Hartsfield Atlanta International Airport to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. His dedication to the development of Atlanta’s international airport has benefited the state. It provides approximately 500,000 jobs in the metro area as well as providing national and international air service to passengers as well as cargo transport.  

Andrew Young (b. 1932) moved to Georgia when he accepted the position of pastor at Bethany Congressional Church, in Thomasville. Young became active in the Civil Rights Movement and primarily focused on voter registration drives. In 1961, Young resigned from his job and started working for the SCLC and began organizing “citizenship schools” that helped train civil rights volunteers in organizing and taking part in non-violent protest. Young soon became a close associate with Martin Luther King, Jr. During his time at the SCLC, he successfully organized demonstrations and voter registration campaigns throughout the South. He was with Martin Luther King, Jr. on the day he was assassinated. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 1972, Young began his political career. He was elected as Georgia’s first AfricanAmerican or Black Congressman since Reconstruction. In 1977, President Jimmy Carter appointed him ambassador to the United Nations. Though successful in the position, Young resigned in 1979 after meeting with members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which at the time was considered to be a terrorist organization by the United States.  

Young soon returned to politics and was elected mayor of Atlanta in 1981. As mayor, Young was instrumental in the city’s continued growth and national and international prestige. His accomplishments as the mayor of Atlanta include bringing $70 billion in new private investment to the city of Atlanta, 1,100 new businesses and one million jobs to the region. He expanded programs for including minority and female owned businesses in all city contracts. Young tripled college scholarships given to Atlanta public school graduates and was instrumental in overhauling and privatizing Zoo Atlanta and hosted the 1988 Democratic National Convention. After leaving office in 1989, Young continued to work for Georgia’s economic development, served as co-chair of Georgia’s 1996 Olympic committee, and worked as a consultant for many international organizations which he continues to do today. 
 

SS8H12 b. Describe the role of Jimmy Carter in Georgia as state senator, governor, president, and past president.

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James Earl “Jimmy” Carter (b. 1924) was a state senator, governor, and the only person from Georgia to be elected president. He is also a winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and the second Georgian to win the award (Martin Luther King, Jr. was the first). Carter was a successful and popular governor, and his post presidential career has been arguably one of the most accomplished of any former president. 

 

 

 

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Carter was born in Plains, Georgia. Born to farmers and community leaders, Carter attended public schools in Plains and went to Georgia Tech. While there he received an appointment from the Naval Academy and graduated in 1946. He received a commission and it appeared as if he would have a successful naval career. However, when his father died, he left the Navy to take over the family farm and business. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After becoming a community leader in Plains, Carter became interested in running for office. In 1962, he was elected to the state senate. As a state senator, Carter advocated for education and served as the chairman of the Senate Education Committee. His encouragement of integration and his pro-environment stand resulted in mixed reviews from the state electorate. He was, however, re-elected to the State Senate for a second term in 1964.

By 1966, Carter was interested in running for governor. He finished in third place, behind Lester Maddox and Ellis Arnall in the Democratic primary. In 1970, he again ran for governor and this time was elected. As governor, Carter is most well-known for his reorganization of state government and his consolidation of state agencies. In addition, he focused on improving Georgia’s educational, justice, and mental health systems. Carter also appointed more women and minorities to governmental positions than all of Georgia’s previous governors combined.  

After his four-year term as governor was complete, Carter began to set his sights on a presidential run. Due to primary successes, Carter received the Democratic nomination for president and narrowly defeated President Ford in the 1976 election. The lingering disillusionment created by the Watergate scandal and the nation’s poor economy were major factors in Carter’s election. 

Carter’s successes and failures as president are well documented. His achievements include the Camp David Peace Accords between Egypt and Israel and the Strategic Arms Limitation Treaty (SALT II) with the Soviet Union. His disappointments include his decision to boycott the 1980 Olympics based on the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan, his management of the Iranian Hostage Crisis (the 1979 seizure of 52 American hostages by Iranian students who were held for 444 days), and the overall perception that he did not do enough to remedy the “stagflation” (persistent inflation and a stagnant economy) that was crippling the U.S. economy.  

After losing the 1980 presidential election, Carter returned to Georgia where he founded the Carter Center. The Center has monitored elections, resolved conflicts, and treated diseases world-wide. Domestically, Carter has supported and increased awareness of the Habitat for Humanity program. Carter has also written several books and was inducted to the Georgia Writers Hall of Fame in 2006. 

 

 

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SS8H12 c. Evaluate the short-term and long-term impacts of hosting the 1996 Olympics on Georgia’s economic and population growth.

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In 1990, it was announced that Atlanta “finally won something” and was chosen as the host of the 1996 Olympic Games. Not since the International Cotton Expositions had Atlanta hosted such a large event. Beating the odds-on favorite Athens, Greece, to host the games, 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. 

The short-term impacts of the Olympic Games in Atlanta included the removal of the urban decay that downtown Atlanta was experiencing. The creation of Centennial Olympic Park led to the development of the area to include new apartments, hotels and business structures. Infrastructure developments, such as roadway improvements, the addition of sidewalks, and streetlights to name a few, brought people into the city for the games. The general clean-up of the city benefitted the local economy as people desired to visit and enjoy the games and food establishments and hotels. The improvements also created interest in developing new attractions such as the Georgia Aquarium. International recognition of Atlanta as a progressive city encouraged international economic status. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The long-term impacts have benefitted Atlanta itself. Due to the games the number of hotel rooms in the city expanded to over 60,000. The Olympics gave Atlanta international name recognition with the city showing that it was capable of hosting such a major event and being the home of the busiest airport in the world, Atlanta has become a hub for conventions and sporting events. The city also experienced growth for the first time in many years as many young, urban professionals moved from the suburbs to city limits based on their experiences at the games, and the improvements made to the city in preparation. The population of the city increased dramatically from 3.5 million in 1996 to 5.5 million in 2011. According to the New Georgia Encyclopedia, the Games have generated least 5.1 billion dollars for the city and state. Increased population, along with a recent recession, has led to a declining housing market and increased traffic concerns. Positive economic impacts remain in parts of Atlanta, however, some neighborhoods that were neglected during the Olympic preparation period, remain blighted.  

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SS8H12 d. 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.

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Tourism in Georgia has become one of the state’s largest industries. Because of the great geographic diversity in the state, over 100 million visitors traveled to Georgia’s mountains, beaches and major cities with unique attractions. With Atlanta as the top destination and Savannah and the Georgia coast following close behind, these cities and regions provide job opportunities for community members. Tourism has become the fifth largest employer in the state with revenues in the neighborhood of $59 billion providing 439,000 jobs. In 2016, the tourism industry generated $3 billion in direct and indirect taxes. The tourism industry employed 10.2% of Georgia’s workforce in 2016. One third of the tourists visiting Georgia were Georgians who enjoyed overnight stays at regional attractions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project (SHEP) is finally under construction after a 15-year study to determine the impact on the economy of Georgia and the nation. Savannah’s port is the fourth-busiest container port in the U. S. and is the fastest growing port. According to the Ports Authority, Savannah handles more than “3 million twenty-foot equivalent container units per year for more than 21,000 U. S. businesses.” The completion of the project will deepen the outer harbor to 47 feet when water is at its lowest point. The shipping industry is serving larger vessels with heavier loads now that the Panama Canal expansion is complete. The new locks will send ships to Savannah that are as much as three times the capacity of ships currently able to transit the Canal. American businesses ship products from this critical port in their supply chains. The expansion will allow greater scheduling flexibility for the port. The Savannah Harbor Expansion Project will support jobs throughout the nation. Its economic impact on Georgia’s deep-water ports generates $67 billion in revenue. More than 350,000 jobs will be impacted and about $18.5 billion in personal income will impact the region. The impact of SHEP will help manufacturers on the national and global horizon.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Georgia’s film industry is rapidly becoming a major player in the industry. 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. With a $7 billion economic impact in 2016, Georgia’s film industry is likely to continue to grow. Twenty-five thousand people in Georgia are directly involved in the industry and 30,000 people benefit through industries and businesses that are indirectly related. The Georgia Film Academy and colleges and universities, including the Savannah College of Arts and Design (SCAD), will help fill the projected 3,500 - 5,500 job opportunities by 2021. Tyler Perry, producer and actor, is currently converting the former Fort McPherson location into one of the largest film studios in the United States. With 800 film and television projects since 1972, Georgia’s film industry is likely to continue to grow.

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SS8E1 a. Evaluate the ways in which the Interstate Highway System, Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, deepwater ports, and railroads interact to support the exchange of goods and services domestically and internationally.

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The interaction of the four transportation systems is essential to the state’s economy. Georgia, being the “transportation hub” of the Southeast, transports people and products quickly and efficiently via air, road, railway and sea to national and global markets, helping businesses save time and money. These systems together receive 7.6% of Georgia’s 2017 fiscal year budget. 

The interstate highway system is essential to Georgia’s economic success. Georgia boasts highways that facilitate speed and reliability for shipments to the rest of the United States and the world. Shippers in all industry sectors depend on Georgia’s roadways to safely and efficiently transport more than $620 billion cargo each year on the 20,000 miles of high performance roadways and 1,200 interstate highways, including I- 75, I-85, and I-20 in the Atlanta area and I-95 along coastal Georgia. Approved funding for new roadway infrastructure in Atlanta and near the ports of Savannah and Brunswick will create 150 miles of new roadway capacity. These roadways enable Georgia companies to speedily and efficiently distribute products using over 100 motor freight carriers and extensive rail and highway systems. Using the nation’s interstate highway system, Georgia’s products can now reach approximately 80% of Americans overnight. Many industries have relocated to Georgia because of the easy access to interstates that are well-maintained and rarely closed due to inclement weather. Interstate highways (I-85, I-75 and I-285) pass near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the nation. Arriving in Atlanta via the airport, business travelers and tourists impact the state’s economy by utilizing the interstates to travel to beaches, mountains, and other tourist and business destinations. Airport cargo areas have docks that have convenient access to the interstate highways for the quick and efficient transport of goods to their destination. Nearly all freight shipments by Georgia businesses (85%) are carried to their destination via truck. Truck shipments in Georgia are expected to reach $993.6 billion by 2040. The connection between the airport and interstate highways allows Georgia products to be transported quickly to U. S. consumers. 

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Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is the conduit for 100 million passengers per year and handles more than 625,000 metric tons of cargo on 32 air carriers including Georgia’s own Delta Airlines (headquartered in Atlanta). More than 100 trucking companies expedite cargo deliveries via ground (interstate and local roads) and rail transportation throughout the state and the U. S. Three cargo complexes enable rapid handling of goods so that they can be moved to their destinations or ports by roadways and by rail. Also, located at the airport is a 250 acre Georgia Foreign Trade Zone that streamlines low cost international commerce. The Perishables Complex, approved by the U. S. Department of Agriculture and the only one in the Southeast, expedites fast and efficient inspection of time-sensitive shipments to ground transportation. Eighty percent of the U. S. market is within a two-hour flight from Georgia. The airport’s impact on the regional economy of Georgia (particularly the Atlanta region) generates $23.5 billion per year. 

 

 

 

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Another component of Georgia’s transportation system that is vital to the state’s economy is the deepwater ports of Savannah and Brunswick. Georgia products are exported to all parts of the world via these ports, while foreign products enter the U. S. through these ports. Governed and operated by the Georgia Ports Authority, Georgia’s ports are among the fastest growing ports in the U. S. The port of Savannah handles approximately 80% of the goods entering Georgia via ship and has immediate access to interstates I-95 and I-16. The port’s two terminals handle bulk cargoes, large containers and roll on/roll off items, such as automobiles and other wheeled vehicles. The smaller port in Brunswick handles a significant amount of products, including general cargo, bulk items, and automobiles, through three terminals. The Georgia Ports Authority also support the inland barge facilities of Bainbridge and Columbus. Liquid and dry bulk commodities, including chemicals and oil, are transported through these port facilities to ground transportation for delivery to Georgia and U. S. companies. 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Historically, railroads have been essential to the economy of Georgia. While the other forms of transportation have taken the lead in moving people and goods throughout our state and the nation, railroads still operate rail lines successfully in Georgia. Georgia, ranked #3 in the U. S. in rail accessibility in 2015, has access to more rail miles (4,700 miles) than any other state in the Southeast. Intermodal (transportation involving more than one form of carrier, such as truck and rail, or truck, ship and rail), bulk, and automotive shipments utilize the rails that connect to a national market. Though currently operating on a smaller scale than the other forms of transportation, railroads are an essential component to the success of moving goods to destinations throughout the state and the rest of the country.

 

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SS8E1 b. Explain how the four transportation systems provide jobs for Georgians.

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A factor that impacts the economy regarding transportation is job creation. It takes an enormous number of people doing specialized jobs to create, prepare, transport, and sell all of the products imported and exported from Georgia. The transportation systems are either directly or indirectly responsible for the employment of thousands of people and a strong, employed workforce is always the basis of a sound economy. Over 5000 companies employ 110,000 Georgians to move goods, generating over $50 billion in revenue. Over 30,000 companies rely on cargo movers. Private transportation companies employ over 700,000 people in Georgia and contribute over 500 billion dollars of yearly revenue. 

The design, construction and maintenance of Georgia’s transportation infrastructure supports the equivalent of almost 110,000 full-time jobs across all sectors of the state’s economy. These workers earn $3.9 billion annually. Over 1,900,000 full-time jobs in Georgia in key industries like tourism, retail sales, agriculture and manufacturing are completely dependent on the state’s transportation infrastructure network. These employees earn $70.4 billion in wages and provides an estimated $12.8 billion in state and local income, corporate and unemployment insurance taxes and the federal payroll tax. 

Georgia’s deepwater ports support over 350,000 full and part-time jobs, which is 8.4 percent of Georgia’s total employment (as defined by a survey of households). This means that one job out of every twelve is in some way dependent on the ports. 

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport is “the economic jewel” of Georgia as it generates $34.8 billion in economic impact for Atlanta and provides more than 63,000 jobs onsite, making it the state’s largest employer. Over the next 20 years, the airport plans to modernize its Domestic Terminal, expand cargo operations and concourses, replace parking facilities, and develop a hotel and mixed-use complex that will further solidify Hartsfield-Jackson as a beacon of economic strength and customer service in Georgia. 

Clearly, abundant job opportunities requiring specialized skills are a direct and indirect result of Georgia’s transportation systems. 

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****SS8E2 a. Describe how profit is an incentive for entrepreneurs.

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As entrepreneurs create new business plans, a major goal is to establish protocols that will generate a profit (the amount of money an entrepreneur or business earns after paying their expenses). The expectation of earning a profit motivates entrepreneurs to accept the risk of acquiring and organizing resources to meet market opportunities. The entrepreneur deals with whatever profit or loss results from business enterprises. Avoiding a loss and making a profit requires innovation in reducing the cost of providing goods and services and to attempt to improve product quality and service.

The entrepreneur must remain focused on consumer wants in order to build a dynamic, profit-oriented business. Entrepreneurs must have innovative skills in acquiring and managing the factors of production (labor, natural resources – raw materials, and capital – factories and equipment). The power of profit is used in market economies as an incentive and ensures that consumer demand is met. Some entrepreneurs share profits with employees, which helps to generate employee dedication to and support of the business. 

Georgia is known for producing entrepreneurs of great skill and success. The following list includes Georgia entrepreneur from different historical periods and their areas of success: 

• Alonzo Herndon (1858-1927) - founder and president of the Atlanta Life Insurance Company

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• Anne Cox Chambers (b. 1919) - primary owner of Cox Enterprises, a privately held media empire that includes newspapers, television, radio, cable television, and other businesses

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• Ted Turner (b. 1938) - media titan, cable-TV pioneer, father of the Goodwill Games, owner of a World Series champion baseball team, skipper of a yacht that won the America's Cup, feature film producer, and restaurateur

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• Arthur Blank (b. 1942) - cofounder of the Home Depot corporation and the owner of the Atlanta Falcons football team

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• Bernie Marcus (b. 1929) - cofounder of the Home Depot and a well-known philanthropist

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• Truett Cathy (1921-2014) - founder and chairman of the Chick-fil-A restaurant chain

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• John Stith Pemberton (1831-1888) - the inventor of the Coca-Cola beverage

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• Asa Candler (1851-1929) - founder of the Coca-Cola Company, a banker and real estate developer and noted for his philanthropy

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• Robert W. Woodruff (1889-1985) - made Coca Cola a world-renowned corporation and known for his philanthropy 

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****SS8E2 b. Explain how entrepreneurs take risks to develop new goods and services to start a business.

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For those who are able to create a successful business, there are many benefits. Some of these benefits include being your own boss, working long hours for yourself as opposed to someone else, and receiving the majority of the profit that the business earns. In some cases, an extremely successful business is purchased by someone else, providing the entrepreneur with a huge profit. 

However, the U. S. Small Business Administration indicates that over 50% of all businesses fail to be productive within their first five years in operation while other resources indicate that 60% - 90% fail within the first 18 months of operation. Factors include: 

• lack of experience in operating a business

• lack of capital

• too much competition in the market region

• lack of consumers

• lack of unique product offerings

• misguided marketing strategies

• failure to innovate

• bad hiring decisions 

Entrepreneurs who start their own businesses and fail often lose their own money and time in the process. Protecting personal financial security (and that of your family) should be a priority for entrepreneurs. An entrepreneur can minimize financial risks by limiting how many assets are risked. 

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****SS8E2 c. Evaluate the economic impact of various industries in Georgia including agricultural, entertainment, manufacturing, service, and technology. (images available  in unit 6)

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Economic Impact of the Agriculture Industry 

Blessed with a relatively mild year round climate, Georgia offers tremendous opportunities for the agriculture industry. Taking pride in their work, farmers utilize modern conservation and production practices that help protect the environment and grow healthier, safer crops. As Georgia’s leading industry, a well-established business infrastructure combined with the resources of higher education facilities enable agribusiness firms to take new products to market faster. Georgia is a leading producer of commodities like soybeans, peanuts, cotton, broilers (chickens) and blueberries and is developing new products such as wine, cheeses, ice creams, peach products among other goods. During 2012, the Census of Agriculture indicates that Georgia’s agriculture industry sold more than $9.2 billion worth of agricultural products. The census reveals that more than 42,000 farms operated with 9.6 million acres in production. More than 17,000 of the farms raised cattle, both beef and dairy cows. The state’s forestry industry contributes $17.7 billion to Georgia’s economy and supports 73,300 jobs in the state. Georgia boasts the most commercial forest land than any other state. In 2011, $72.5 billion of Georgia’s $786.5 billion economy was related to Georgia’s agriculture industry. This industry, however, is a primary source of unemployment in the state. 

 

 

Economic Impact of the Entertainment Industry 

A variety of enterprises comprise the entertainment industry. The arts, film/TV, music and tourism businesses impact the state each in its unique way.

The arts and arts organizations are important to tourism and local economic growth. The arts significantly offer cultural opportunities to Georgia’s citizens, creates jobs, supports arts education, and helps revitalize communities. Creative industries in Georgia represent a combined $37 billion in revenue, and includes 200,000 employed generating $12.1 billion in earnings, and $62.5 billion in total economic impact.

The film, television, and interactive entertainment industry is booming in Georgia. Since 1972, 800 film and television projects (short term and long term) have provided job opportunities to 30,000 working professionals. A growing digital media industry, university developed talent, abundant tax incentives, proximity to a well-connected transportation system, and location diversity for filming are among the reasons that Georgia has become a “camera ready” state. In 2015, Georgia feature films and television production generated an economic impact of $7 billion. Qualifying productions can earn 20% tax credits and additional credit for embedding a Georgia promotional logo in the film’s title or credits. 

The music production industry in Georgia has a well-known history of producing celebrated musicians. Metro Atlanta has recently become recognized as an industry hub for music production. The industry has generated approximately 9,500 job opportunities in the state and approximately $3.5 billion in revenue per year. The music industry generates about $50 million in tax revenues for the state per year. The industry has impacts beyond the music production industry. The network of support industries that are associated with music production increases the overall impact of the industry on Georgia’s economy.
 

The tourism industry in Georgia provides a $59 billion impact on the state’s economy. As the fifth largest employer in the state, the industry supports 439,000 job opportunities, or 10.3% of all payroll employment in the state. Taxes of $3 billion from the tourism industry were pumped into Georgia’s economy in 2015. If Georgia’s tourism industry was absent from the economy, each Georgia household would have to be taxed an additional $843 by state and local governments each year. 

Domestic travel to Georgia brought over 102 million visitors to the state in 2012, an increase of almost 4% over 2014. Leisure travel was up 3.3%, while business travel increased at 4.8%. International visitors increased by 2.4% to an estimated $3 billion in 2015. While visitor volume increased by 13.8%, visitor spending impacted the state’s economy by $767.9 million. In response to the upward projection of tourism in the state, hotel revenue is tracking in the same direction. Hotel revenue in Georgia is enjoying another consecutive year of upward trending growth, growing by 10% to $3.9 billion. Demand for hotel facilities is rising as occupancy rose to 64.4%, an increase from 2014. Clearly, the hotel industry is reacting to the positive growth in the travel and tourism industry.

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