Georgia since 1970

1. Georgia since 1970 January 14, 2014

2. Jimmy Carter • James Carter was born in Plains, GA in 1924. • He served in the Navy before returning to Plains in 1954 to run his family’s cotton gin business and peanut farm • After a few years back in Georgia, he decided to run for political office

3. Carter as Governor • Carter was elected governor in 1970 (prior to this, he served in the state senate) • While governor, he reorganized the state’s executive branch and influenced the court system • He created the Georgia Heritage Trust, designed to protect the natural and cultural resources in Georgia • He worked to equalize funding for public schools in the state • At the end of his term, he announced he was running for president of the U.S.

4. Carter as President • Carter, a Democrat, was elected president in 1976 • He established a national energy policy, expanded the national park system, and created the Department of Education • Economic problems in the U.S. created a small recession during his term • He campaigned for worldwide human rights • He is best remembered for his foreign policy accomplishments • He helped bring a peace treaty to Israel and Egypt • He ratified the Panama Canal treaties • He established diplomatic relations with China

5. Carter is defeated • Carter only served one term as president • He was largely defeated because of his handling of a hostage situation in Iran in 1979 • Iran did not release the hostages until the day Carter left office in 1981 • After leaving office, he returned to Georgia, where he has continued working towards worldwide human rights, worked to raise money for disease research, and build affordable housing with Habitat for Humanity

6. Rise of the Two-Party System • In the 1980s and 1990s, politics shifted in many southern states • Prior to this shift, very few Republicans were elected to any national or state office in Georgia • However, during these decades, many citizens of southern states began voting for Republicans in national elections • This led to the election of more Republicans to the U.S. Congress from Georgia, and eventually, to the establishment of a two-party political system • In 2002, Georgians elected the first Republican governor since Reconstruction

7. The 1996 Olympic Games • The Summer Olympics were held in Atlanta and other parts of Georgia in 1996 • Maynard Jackson and Andrew Young were instrumental in bringing these games to Atlanta because they knew the benefits would far outweigh the costs • The games brought 4 long-term benefits to the state of Georgia

8. Benefit 1: New Facilities • Millions of dollars were spent to create world-class competition facilities in Georgia • These include Olympic Stadium (now Turner Field), the Georgia Horse Park in Conyers, and the Rowing Center at Lake Lanier • Other new non-sporting facilities include new residence buildings at Georgia Tech and Georgia State University

9. Benefit 2: International Recognition • The Olympics brought international recognition to Atlanta • Millions of visitors came to see the games and millions more watched on TV • Atlanta and the state of Georgia received tremendous media coverage as one of the world’s leading business centers

10. Benefit 3: Employment Opportunities • The games brought volunteer opportunities, as well as educational and training programs • Also, new employment opportunities were available at competition sites, as well as new hotels and restaurants

11. Benefit 4: Economic Impact • Millions of dollars were brought into Georgia’s economy as a result of the games • People who came to the games spent money on food, hotels, transportation, and souvenirs • Facilities in use today, like Turner Field, are still generating revenue for the state

12. Immigration to Georgia • Immigration to Georgia rose in the 1990s and is still continuing today • People from many Latin American countries have moved to Georgia to work in the carpet industry in northwest Georgia, the poultry industry in Gainesville, and the Vidalia onion industry in south Georgia • These immigrant populations impact Georgia’s economy • They live and work all over Georgia and assist in many jobs • They have built churches and opened businesses

13. Questions: • 1) Where was Jimmy Carter born? • 2) What were 3 accomplishments of Carter while he was governor of Georgia? • 3) What were 3 accomplishments of Carter while he was president? • 4) What is Carter best remembered for? • 5) What led to Carter’s defeat in a bid for a second term as president? • 6) What has Carter done since leaving office and returning to Georgia? • 7) When did more Georgians begin voting for Republicans? • 8) What year was the first Republican governor since Reconstruction elected in Georgia? • 9) Who was instrumental in bringing the Olympics to Atlanta? • 10) What are the four benefits of the Olympics in Atlanta? • 11) What are some of the sports facilities that were built for the games?

14. More questions: • 12) Where were new employment opportunities available during the Olympics? • 13) How did the Olympics impact Georgia’s economy? • 14) What 3 industries do immigrants come work at in Georgia? • 15) How do immigrants impact Georgia’s economy?