Civil Rights in Georgia

1. Civil Rights in Georgia SS8H11: Students will evaluate the role of Georgia in the modern civil rights movement.

2. Benjamin Mays • African American minister, educator, scholar, and social activist • best known as longtime president of Morehouse College in Atlanta • a significant mentor to Martin Luther King Jr. • leadership positions several national & international organizations, • NAACP, YMCA, the World Council of Churches, and the United Negro College Fund.

3. End of the White Primary • 1900 GA Democratic Party decided only white voters could vote in primary election. • 1944 US Supreme Court ruled all-white primaries were illegal & violated the 15th amendment. • Gov. Arnall supported court’s decision & said black voters should be allowed to vote in primaries. • running for governor, Eugene Talmadge promised to bring back all-white primary & protect Jim Crow laws • Talmadge won the election.

4. 1946 Governor’s Race • Georgia's "three governors controversy" of 1946-47 • began with death of Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge • Talmadge supporters proposed plan allowing Georgia legislature to elect governor in January 1947 • General Assembly selected Talmadge's son as governor • newly elected lieutenant governor, Melvin Thompson, claimed the office of governor • outgoing governor, Ellis Arnell, refused to leave office.

5. 1946 Governor’s Race • GA Supreme Court settled controversy • ruled Melvin Thompson was rightful governor • he was lieutenant governor–elect when Eugene Talmadge died • justices ruled Thompson would be acting governor until special election could be

6. Herman Talmadge • Governor from 1948-1955 • wanted to improve Georgia’s education system. • more than doubled teachers’ salaries and increased money per student given to each public school. • Lengthened school year to 9 months

7. Brown v Board of Education1954 • 1950 Linda Brown denied an education in white school in Topeka, Kansas. • The Brown family represented by NAACP attorneys • took case to the Supreme Court • On May 17, 1954 the Supreme Court decided segregated schools were unequal and unfair. • African American students could now attend white schools • Overturned Plessy v. Ferguson

8. Martin Luther King Jr. • civil rights activist promoted nonviolence & direct action as methods of social change • helped lead Montgomery Bus Boycott 1955 • founded Southern Christian Leadership Conference • led March on Washington for jobs and freedom August 1963. • because of his persistence and diligence, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. • received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

9. Georgia State Flag1956 • Atlanta Convention & Visitors Bureau instrumental in changing of state flag • New flag introduced 2001 • Some citizens saw flag as memorial to Confederate war dead & wounded/heritage • Others saw it as symbol of racism • Became issue in race for governor in 2000 • 2003 Governor Perdue signed current flag into law 1956 -2001

10. Sibley Commission1960 • General Assembly appointed John A. Sibley to chair a committee to look into integration • Traveled throughout state encouraging peaceful desegregation of schools • committee recommended each local school board set up own policies & agenda to comply with Civil Rights Act of 1964 & Voting Rights Act of 1965.

11. Hamilton Holmes/Charlayne Hunter • Charlayne Hunter & Hamilton Holmes first students of color to attend the University of Georgia • Protests & riots by white students that opposed to desegregation resulted in temporary suspension for Hunter & Holmes • two soon returned to campus after series of court orders & began their studies. • Governor Vandiver efforts to desegregate schools

12. Albany Movement • NAACP & SCLC staged “sit in” at white section of Albany bus station. • The SNCC (Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) & other Civil Rights activists came to Albany to support movement. • most of the demonstrators were jailed • Albany Movement led to greater efforts in the fight for Civil Rights. • John Lewis first president of SNCC

13. March on Washington“I have a dream…” SpeechAugust 28,1963 • march was for jobs, freedom, passage of civil rights bill • Martin Luther King Jr. gave famous speech “I have a dream…” from the Lincoln Memorial • Approximately 250,000 people participated

14. Civil Rights Act 1964 • discrimination in public places, like schools, restaurants, & theaters illegal • Did NOT integrate churches • Withheld federal funds from schools that did not end segrgation • required employers to provide equal employment opportunities

15. Maynard Jackson1938 - 2003 • Elected first African American Mayor of Atlanta in 1973 • Increased programs for the arts • Addressed need to expand airport • Led effort to have Olympics in Atlanta

16. Lester Maddox • Became governor 1967 • Segregationist & restaurant owner • Closed restaurant instead of desegregating it • Won office by being elected by General Assembly • Appointed more African Americans to state boards than all prior governors

17. Andrew Young • Best known for role in the civil rights movement • first black congressman since Reconstruction • He was mayor of Atlanta from 1981-1988 • Established “citizenship schools” – nonviolent organizing strategies to potential leaders • co-chairman of committee that brought Olympic Games to Atlanta.