Unit 11 Modern Georgia PowerPoint #2

Learning Targets Evaluate key post-World War II developments of Georgia from 1945 – 1970 Evaluate key post-World War II developments of Georgia from 1945 – 1970 c. Discuss the impact of Ellis Arnall. c. Discuss the impact of Ellis Arnall.

Ellis Arnall Defeated Eugene Talmadge for Governor in Defeated Eugene Talmadge for Governor in Progressive Governor – believed in using government to change things. Progressive Governor – believed in using government to change things. First Governor to serve a 4 year term. First Governor to serve a 4 year term. Youngest Governor in the Youngest Governor in the nation at the time. nation at the time. Led Georgia to become the Led Georgia to become the first state to grant 18 year olds first state to grant 18 year olds the right to vote. the right to vote. Supported the end to the poll tax (made it easier for African Americans to vote). Supported the end to the poll tax (made it easier for African Americans to vote).

Prison System Arnall removed the prison system from the Governor’s control. Arnall removed the prison system from the Governor’s control. Established the Board of Corrections to oversee state prisons and a pardon and parole board to handle those requests. Established the Board of Corrections to oversee state prisons and a pardon and parole board to handle those requests.

1946 Governor’s Race In 1946, Governor Ellis Arnall’s term was drawing to a close. In 1946, Governor Ellis Arnall’s term was drawing to a close. Democratic Primary Candidates: Democratic Primary Candidates: Segregationist Eugene Talmadge Former Governor Eurith Rivers Marietta Bell Bomber Plant Head James Carmichael

Primary Results Carmichael won the popular vote due in large part to black voters being able to take part in the primary election for the first time since Reconstruction Carmichael won the popular vote due in large part to black voters being able to take part in the primary election for the first time since Reconstruction Talmadge won the county unit vote and became the Democratic candidate. Talmadge won the county unit vote and became the Democratic candidate.

Republican Candidate The Republicans did not have a candidate, so Talmadge ran unopposed in the November general election. The Republicans did not have a candidate, so Talmadge ran unopposed in the November general election.

Eugene Talmadge 62 years old and in poor health 62 years old and in poor health His close advisors were afraid that he would not live long enough to begin his term, they made a secret plan. His close advisors were afraid that he would not live long enough to begin his term, they made a secret plan. The plan was for a few hundred selected supporters to write in the name of Eugene Talmadge’s son, Herman, on the ballot as their 2 nd choice for Governor. The plan was for a few hundred selected supporters to write in the name of Eugene Talmadge’s son, Herman, on the ballot as their 2 nd choice for Governor.

General Election Results Eugene Talmadge = Governor Eugene Talmadge = Governor Melvin Thompson = Lieutenant Governor Melvin Thompson = Lieutenant Governor

Talmadge Dies Shortly before he was sworn in, Eugene Talmadge dies, and confusion began. Shortly before he was sworn in, Eugene Talmadge dies, and confusion began.

Who’s the Governor? Legislature chose Herman Talmadge based on the number of write-in votes (a good number of them were suddenly “found” after the election). Legislature chose Herman Talmadge based on the number of write-in votes (a good number of them were suddenly “found” after the election). Governor Arnall declared that Lt. Governor Thompson was the governor. Governor Arnall declared that Lt. Governor Thompson was the governor.

A Break-In In the early morning hours of January 15, 1947, a group of Eugene Talmadge’s men broke into the Governor’s Office, changed the locks on the doors, and started to run the state. In the early morning hours of January 15, 1947, a group of Eugene Talmadge’s men broke into the Governor’s Office, changed the locks on the doors, and started to run the state.

Locked Out Because he was locked out of his own office, Governor Arnall set up a temporary office at the Capitol information counter. Because he was locked out of his own office, Governor Arnall set up a temporary office at the Capitol information counter. 3 days later, Arnall officially resigned. 3 days later, Arnall officially resigned.

Lt. Governor Thompson In the meantime, Thompson opened an office in downtown Atlanta and began legal proceedings to become Governor. In the meantime, Thompson opened an office in downtown Atlanta and began legal proceedings to become Governor. The government of Georgia was in a state of confusion. The government of Georgia was in a state of confusion.

Official State Seal Withheld Secretary of State Ben Fortson refused to give the official state seal (used to legalize documents) to either Talmadge or Thompson. Secretary of State Ben Fortson refused to give the official state seal (used to legalize documents) to either Talmadge or Thompson. As a result, no one was in a position to run the state. As a result, no one was in a position to run the state.

Supreme Court Rules Finally, in March, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Thompson was the rightful Governor until a special election could be held in 1948 to fill the unexpired term of Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge. Finally, in March, the Georgia Supreme Court ruled that Thompson was the rightful Governor until a special election could be held in 1948 to fill the unexpired term of Governor-elect Eugene Talmadge.

Herman Talmadge In that election, Herman Talmadge was legally elected as Georgia’s Governor. In that election, Herman Talmadge was legally elected as Georgia’s Governor.