Unit 6

1. Unit 6 Reasons for WWI: (1914-1918) • Militarism • Everyone wanted the largest military • GB had the largest Navy, but was worried it wouldn’t be for long. • Alliance System • Helped win wars with resources and man-power • Imperialism/Colonization • Goal was to expand the empire • Nationalism • Belief that one’s country was the best and superior to all others.

2. Georgia’s Contributions • Numerous military training camps • Over 100,000 Georgians took part in the war • Over 3000 died during the war • Overall, Georgia was a staunch supporter of WWI

3. Allied v. Central Powers Allied Powers: • Great Britain • Russia • France • United States Central Powers: • Germany • Austria-Hungary

4. Results of WWI on the U.S. • Much of Europe was headed towards their own Great Depression because the European nations spent too much money during the war or owed reparations to the countries that won (the Allied Powers) • As a result, the U.S.’s exports decreased because many of these nations could no longer afford to purchase the same amount of American goods as they had before and during the war.

5. Environmental Issues in Georgia While many celebrated during the “Roaring 20s,” Georgia was in the midst of a mini-Depression due to the following environmental issues: • Boll Weevil • Insect that destroys cotton plants • From 1914-1923, cotton production was cut in half due to the Boll Weevil epidemic • Thousands of people began moving to cities up north and working in factories • 1987- farmers finally eradicated the Boll Weevil • Drought • Severely impacted farmers’ ability to grow crops • As a result of both the Boll Weevil epidemic and drought, the depression began in Georgia long before the rest of the U.S.

6. The Great Depression (late 1920s-1930s) 4 Key Economic Factors • Stock Market Crash of 1929 • Bank Failures • No insurance protecting customers that deposited money into the bank. • If too many people tried to withdrawal money, the bank would run out and close regardless of whether they paid everyone back or not. • “Insured by FDIC” prevents this from happening today • Because of all the bank failures, the banks that didn’t close did not want to make loans which slowed down the economy in terms of customer buying and spending

7. The Great Depression (late 1920s-1930s) 3. Reduction in Purchasing • Because customers stopped spending money, businesses couldn’t sell enough goods to keep all their employees. • Unemployment rose to all all-time high of 25% • Our current national unemployment rate is just under 7%. 4. Overproduction of Agricultural Products • Farmers did not cut back on production after WWI when European nations could not afford to purchase as much from the U.S. • When demand is low, price is low as well • Many farms were foreclosed on because the farmers couldn’t make enough money on their crops to pay their mortgage on the farms. • The Dust Bowl was a result of such over production in the Mid-West

8. Eugene Talmadge • Became the Agriculture Commissioner in 1926 • Gained many followers in rural Georgia as a result • Won the Georgia governor seat in 1932 due to support from Georgia’s rural areas and farmers • As governor, Talmadge got his way via force and coercion • He opposed FDR’s New Deal policies because they aided African Americans • He was an avid supporter of segregation

9. FDR’s New Deal • Even though Talmadge was staunchly opposed to FDR’s New Deal, the majority of Georgians backed FDR. • Programs under the New Deal provided aid to support Georgians during the Great Depression • Helped poor Georgian’s cope during the Great Depression

10. New Deal Programs • Civilian Conservation Corps • Hired unemployed young men to work on public service projects • 6 month contracts • Room and Board • Paid wages in which a portion had to be sent back to the man’s family • Most successful of all New Deal programs • Particularly in Georgia • Helped set up national parks that still exist today • Included segregated groups • African American CCC group helped make Okefenokee Swamp what it is today.

11. New Deal Programs • Rural Electrification • Since FDR had a home in Georgia, he had a vested interest in bringing electricity to all of Georgia • Talmadge fought against this program b/c he thought it would lead to socialism. • Many of Talmadge’s own constituents (his followers: farmers) benefited from FDR’s program • Impact on Georgia: • Since more families had access to electricity, they could now purchase appliances which in turn stimulated the economy.

12. New Deal Programs • Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) • Government paid farmers NOT to grow their crops to help control prices • Prices increased which also helped farmers • Had negative effects for tenant and sharecropper farmers • Land owners kept all money from the government instead of passing some of it on • Since land owners didn’t need the t/s farmers due to government payments, landowners removed their t/s farmers • Led to urbanization and end of t/s farming in Georgia

13. New Deal Programs • Social Security Administration (SSA) • Government extended benefits to those age 65 and older that could no longer work

14. Events Leading up to American Involvement WWII • U.S. Video- WWII • WWII officially began in 1939. • U.S. remained neutral watching both Germany’s winning campaign in Europe and Japan’s in Asia. • U.S. provided financial assistance to any of its allies fighting • Great Britain • Soviet Union • China • France

15. Lend-Lease Act • Allied countries gave the U.S. rights on their military bases in exchange for the U.S.’s help during the war. • At this point, the U.S. also began contributing military help to support its allies.

16. Bombing of Pearl Harbor • 300 Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. • While the Japanese were successful in crippling the U.S.’s navy, the event led to an overwhelming majority of Americans to support FDR’s declaration of war in 1941 against Japan, Germany, and Italy.

17. Georgia’s Contributions to WWII • Thousands of soldiers and sailors • Military training camps • Already established during WWI, Georgia’s military based grew in size and provide thousands of jobs for Georgians today both military and non-military • Bell Aircraft in Marietta, Ga • B-29 Bomber • Employed 30K people in Georgia • While it closed in 1951, Lockheed Martin took over and continues to operate today.

18. Georgia’s Contributions to WWII • Shipbuilding in Brunswick and Savannah • “Liberty Ships” • Workforce made up of nearly all women • Transported soldiers and supplies • Built 187 ships in these two ports alone

19. Richard B. Russell • Served in the Senate for 38 years • One of the youngest ever to be elected to the GA General Assembly • Advocated for a strong military • Played and integral role in bringing and sustaining 15 military bases in GA • Instrumental in bringing the CDC to GA • Instrumental in the creation of the National School Lunch Program • Staunch Segregationalist • Thought to be a reason why he never won a nomination for president

20. Carl Vinson • Served over 25 terms in U.S. House of Representatives • Total of 51 years (2 year terms) • Staunch supporter of the navy • “Father of the Two Ocean Navy” http://www.gpb.org/georgiastories/stories/carl_vinson

21. Impact of the Holocaust on Georgia • Many survivors of the Holocaust relocated to the United States and specifically Georgia • As a result of first hand accounts of the atrocities experienced during the Holocaust by Jewish immigrants, many Georgians began to rethink their position on segregation and the treatment of black citizens • Governor Joe Frank Harris establish the Commission on the Holocaust to educated people and create an awareness.