The student will evaluate key post World War II developments of Georgia from 1945-1970.

Agricultural Transformation During war: migration of farm workers to wartime industries Cities grew significantly 1940- 66% of GA’s population was rural/ 34% urban 1970-40% rural/60 % urban

Agriculture no longer dominant Synthetic fabrics (rayon/nylon) led to reduction of cotton demand Trees and row crops (peanuts, soybeans, corn) planted in place of cotton Poultry became big source of $ for farmers

Improved machinery- Fewer workers needed/higher yields More acres farmed Average farm size 1940 = 110 acres 1950= 1,299 acres

Development of Atlanta After war- Growth of state continued Veterans attended college on G.I. Bill/ bought houses= Enrollment in colleges & universities soared/suburbs sprang up

Businesses continued to move into state Mild climate Lower heating costs Transportation accessible/no weather slowdowns Non-union state/few labor demands/lower wages Lower state taxes Economy diversified Air conditioning Descendants of African Americans who fled after Civil War returned/integrated schools/improved economic opportunities/higher standards of living

Continued Growth:1950s 1954: 800 new industries / 1200 national corporations in Atlanta Atlanta annexed over 100 square miles/ 32nd largest city to 23rd Freeways/interstates linked Atlanta with region/country

Transportation William B. Hartsfield International Airport offered 1st international flights 1971 Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA) 1966 East Line (1st rapid rail line) 1979

Atlanta’s Metropolitan Population 1950: 997,666 1970: 1,763,626 Georgia’s Population 1950: 3,444,578 to 4,589,575 TODAY, MORE THAN HALF OF THE STATE’S POPULATION LIVES IN THE ATLANTA METROPOLITAN AREA

William B. Hartsfield 6-term Atlanta mayor 1942-1961 Known for leadership in making Atlanta an aviation hub of the southeast Chose Candler Racetrack location of Atlanta’s airport Leader in Civil Rights white primary outlawed elections opened to African Americans

William B. Hartsfield Hired 8 African American police officers/restricted duties City golf courses integrated City buses integrated Atlanta schools integrated Lunch counter segregation ended Willie B. Captured in Africa/late 1950s/ Silverback gorilla Named for Hartsfield

Ivan Allen, JR May 1962-1970 Continued peaceful integration Removed “Colored” and “White” signs to City Hall Removed restrictions on African American policemen Integrated Atlanta’s fire department and city government

New Construction Civil auditorium Skyscrapers Office buildings Sports teams/sports facilities

Major League Sports Atlanta Fulton County Stadium built for Milwaukee Braves 1964 1966 Atlanta Braves (baseball) Atlanta Falcons shared stadium (football) Atlanta Hawks 1968 (basketball) Atlanta Dream of the Women’s National Basketball Association 2008 home in ATL Atlanta Flames (hockey) 1972-1980

Atlanta Thrashers 1997 (ice hockey) Silverbacks (United Soccer Leagues) Raised prestige of ATL Generated millions of dollars in revenue Hank Aaron/ATL Braves/ home run #715, breaking Babe Ruth’s record/ record stood until 2007

Ellis Arnall Defeated Eugene Talmadge 1942 governor First Governor to serve a 4-year term Corrected problems with SACS that Talmadge created Board of Regents now a separate entity/not under influence of governor now Prison System removed from governor’s control

Established Board of Corrections Abolished Poll Tax New state constitution adopted 1945 Lead Georgia / first state to lower voting age to 18/old enough to fight=old enough to vote Ran for governor in 1966/defeated by Lester Maddox