SS8H10
SS8H10 The student will evaluate key postWorld War II developments of Georgia from
1945 to 1970.
a. Analyze the impact of the transformation of
agriculture on Georgia’s growth.
b. Explain how the development of Atlanta, including
the roles of mayors William B. Hartsfield and Ivan
Allen, Jr., and major league sports, contributed to the
growth of Georgia.
c. Discuss the impact of Ellis Arnall.
Agriculture Transformation
 New technology, such as tractors and
processors, made farming more efficient.
 Cotton was replaced by crops like peanuts
and pecans, as principal cash crops.
Livestock, such as chickens, cows, and
pigs also became important sources of
revenue.
 The growth of cities led to fewer farms,
but agriculture was still the largest
industry in the state.
William B. Hartsfield
 Atlanta Mayor for six terms starting in 1937.
Lost only once before retiring in 1961.
 Was the visionary behind Atlanta’s airport,
which eventually became the world’s busiest.
 Air traffic replaced railroads as the major
hub of Atlanta’s transportation.
 He also worked hard for improved race
relations, Atlanta did not see the amount of
tensions that other Southern cities
experienced. (ex. Birmingham)
Ivan Allen Jr.
 Elected in 1961
 Removed “white” and “colored” signs from
City Hall on his first day in office.
 Gave African American police officers the
authority to arrest whites.
 Known for the Forward Atlanta program,
which ushered in much growth to Atlanta.
 “The City Too Busy too hate”
Cold War
 Even though allies during WWII, The Soviet
Union and U.S. distrusted each other
immensely.
 Once the U.S.S.R. developed “The Bomb”,
both countries engaged in a war of strategy
for the next 40 years.
 People in the U.S. were concerned with an
imminent nuclear attack for generations (ex.
Bomb shelters, duck & cover drills, movies,
and music)
National Highway Act
 Eisenhower supported, 1956
 Created many of our current interstate
highways
 Cold War related, government wanted the
better roads in case of large military
movement, and to be able to quickly
evacuate cities.
 Led to much of the suburban growth we
still see today.
Ellis Arnall
 Elected to Governor in 1942
 First Governor to serve a 4 year term
 Worked for race reform, ended the poll
tax
 Improved prison system
 Under Arnall, Georgia was the first state
to allow 18 year olds the right to vote
 Was well regarded across the country, in
stark contrast to Eugene Talmadge
Three Governors Episode
 1946, Eugene Talmadge wins the Governor’s
election, but dies before he can take office.
 Talmadge supporters want his son Herman to
become Governor (largest number of write-in
votes) and take the Governor’s office by force.
 Arnall vows to only step aside for Lt. Governor
Thompson, and for a time all three occupy the
capitol and claim to be the rightful Governor. The
courts finally declare Talmadge the winner, and he
serves as Governor until 1955, carrying on his
father’s policies, but does advance the cause of
education in Georgia.
Professional Sports in Atlanta
 Mayor Ivan Allen Jr. wanted Atlanta to be
the South’s center for professional sports.
 Allen broke ground on Atlanta Fulton
County Stadium in 1964
 The Braves moved to Atlanta from
Milwaukee in 1966 (The same year another
great thing appeared in Georgia) The
Braves won the World Series in 1995.
Professional Sports in Atlanta
 The Atlanta Falcons also debuted in 1966,
their team HQ is now located
in…………..
 Atlanta Hawks moved from St. Louis in
1968
 Atlanta Flames:1972 – 1980
 Atlanta Thrashers: 1999 – Present
 How did professional sports help the city
to grow? (Tourism, taxes, business, etc.)