Post WWIIDevelopments 1945-1970

Agricultural Transformation

America &Georgia

shifts focus

•Changes occurred in what people now chose to do for a living•WWII War Veterans had the GI Bill which allowed

• them to go back to college (paid for it)•Receive low interest loans for cars and homes

•Some Georgians went to Northern factories; others went to cities instead of farms•Macon, Atlanta, Savannah, Albany, & Augusta grew due to the moves•Suburbs developed; more cars than ever were sold in 40’s & 50’s•Baby boom occurred; women who quit in factories now having babies

•Farming changed due to new technology; motorized equipment became available•Most farms could now afford one tractor, practiced crop rotations, & terraced crops•New pesticides developed along with better researched/improved planting methods• Fewer farms now produced more & better crops; government paid farmers not to produce too much food•Small farms consolidated and became big farms (from 110 acres to 1299 acres)•Cotton farming was replaced with polyester and rayon (clothes & carpets)

<More people wanted wall-to-wall carpet in their new suburban homes•Peanut, corn, soybeans, poultry & timber industry grew (replacing cotton)

•Timber supplied the nation with ¼ of building supplies

Atlanta

Development

Became a regional center for business, medicine, & entertainmentMild climate allowed freedom from high heating costs of cold winters & slow transportationState had lower tax rates, was advancing highways, & building skyscrapers Nonunion state; hired workers at lower wages w/o demands by labor unionsLockheed became the largest employer at the time

People began to vacation in Atlanta; people thought is was excitingNew hotels, restaurants, & tourist trade developed due to layovers at the airportLegislators started cooperating as the state made more money

Previously the rural & Atlanta legislators disagreed oftenBusinesses were transferring to other parts of the state as well as AtlantaSales tax began that would fund MARTA – was the first city/state in the south to have a subway & rail system

-MARTA=Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (1966)Legislature also voted to help fund the GA World Congress Center

(convention business grew)More people began moving back due to air conditioning, and integration for African Americans/Civil Rights1954 = 800 - new industries; 1200- national corporationsAnnexed 100+ square miles due to growth: includes over 20 counties

Role of Atlanta Mayors

William Hartsfield

•Main leaders responsible for directing the growth of Atlanta•Mayor in 1937-1962 (except for 1940-1942)•Convinced city to buy Candler Field 1925 (opposed Birmingham AL as a spot for airport)•Encourage hiring black workers; Lockheed did this buy hiring African American crews as well as white (other factories joined in)

•Used the phrase Atlanta was “too busy to hate”•Organized biracial coalition to work on voter registration drives (Dr. King & Rev. Borders)•Hired 8 African American police officers for restricted duties•Helped the city become known for its racial integration•Assisted in persuading the city to keep its integrated schools open after legislature refused to fund them•First to promote the idea of a major league baseball team

Ivan Allen Jr.

Role of Atlanta Mayors cont.

•Became Mayor when Hartsfield opted not to run again•Continued the work Hartsfield had done

•First day as Mayor, took down all the color indicating signs•Hired Atlanta’s first black firefighters

•Slogan = “Forward Atlanta”•Fastest growing city under his term

•Atlanta Civic Center, Memorial Arts Center, & 50 + other buildings built•Six Flags opened in late 1960’s•I-285 began•MARTA SYSTEM planned but not yet approved•Persuaded business leaders to build baseball stadium• Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta in 1964; won the National League West pennant in 1969

Ellis Gibbs Arnall

Governor

•Former State Attorney General•1942 Beat Talmadge for Governor•Vowed to “clean up” the Governor’s Office•Banned poll taxes and white primaries•Gave African Americans an effective voice in govt.•Amendment passed during Talmadge’s third term making Arnall the first GA governor to serve a 4- year term•Youngest governor in the nation at that time•Corrected University accreditation problems

• Board of Regents was now not under the Governor• terms for Board members staggard

•Southern Association of Colleges & Schools now restored GA university System•Removed prison system from Governor’s Control (Est. Board of Corrections)•Lead GA as the 1st state in the nation to allow 18 year old the right to vote

Major Leagues

Sports

•1947 Jackie Robinson first black player to sign on major leagues contract w/ Brooklyn Dodgers •Atlanta lacked the facilities, but had dreams of big city leagues•Milwaukee Braves promised to relocate if facilities were built

•Hank Aaron (African American) brought a baseball record; broke Babe Ruth’s homerun record; record not beaten until 2007•Display of bat and ball at Turner Stadium

•Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium was built •1966 first game played; New Atlanta Falcons team also began playing there•Atlanta Hawks playing since 1968•1972-1980 Atlanta Flames played hockey•1997 Atlanta Thrashers plays hockey•Silverbacks are now United Soccer League (men & women)•Teams generate millions of dollars for the city

Airport

Candler Racetrack

Before

Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport

After

Old Atlanta-Fulton Stadium

Hank Aaron Statue