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

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.

End of the White Primary 1900 GA Democratic Party decided only white voters could vote in primary election US Supreme Court ruled all-white primaries were illegal & violated the 15 th 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.

1946 Governor’s Race Georgia's "three governors controversy" of 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.

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

Herman Talmadge Governor from 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

Brown v Board of Education 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

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 because of his persistence and diligence, the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed. received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964.

Georgia State Flag 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 Governor Perdue signed current flag into law

Sibley Commission 1960 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.

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

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

March on Washington “I have a dream…” Speech August 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

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

Maynard Jackson 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

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

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