Modern Civil Rights Modern Civil Rights MovementMovement

SS8H11SS8H11

Describe the developments in civil rights and GA’s role during Describe the developments in civil rights and GA’s role during the 1940s and 1950s; include the roles of Herman Talmadge, the 1940s and 1950s; include the roles of Herman Talmadge, Benjamin Mays, the 1946 governor’s race and the end of the Benjamin Mays, the 1946 governor’s race and the end of the white primary, Brown V Board of Education, Martin Luther white primary, Brown V Board of Education, Martin Luther King, Jr., and the 1956 state flag.King, Jr., and the 1956 state flag.

Benjamin MaysBenjamin Mays

Parents were slavesParents were slaves Lifelong educator:Lifelong educator:

South Carolina State CollegeSouth Carolina State College Morehouse CollegeMorehouse College Dean-Howard University School of ReligionDean-Howard University School of Religion President-Morehouse CollegePresident-Morehouse College

First African-AmericanFirst African-American President of the Atlanta President of the Atlanta Board of Ed.Board of Ed.

Served as mentor to Martin Luther King, Served as mentor to Martin Luther King, JR at MorehouseJR at Morehouse

Chairman of Atlanta Board of Ed after Chairman of Atlanta Board of Ed after retirement from Morehouseretirement from Morehouse

End of the White PrimaryEnd of the White Primary

White Primary-one way Blacks were kept from White Primary-one way Blacks were kept from votingvoting

Legislature determined that 15Legislature determined that 15 thth Amendment Amendment only applied to general electiononly applied to general election

1900 primary, Democratic leaders ruled only 1900 primary, Democratic leaders ruled only white Democrats would be allowed to vote in the white Democrats would be allowed to vote in the primaryprimary

GA primarily one-party state since Rep and Ind GA primarily one-party state since Rep and Ind candidates got little support from whites/rarely candidates got little support from whites/rarely ran for officran for offic

1946 King V Chapman1946 King V Chapman White primary systems in GA were White primary systems in GA were

unconstitutionalunconstitutional 1946 election-black voters were able to take 1946 election-black voters were able to take

part in the primary election for the first time part in the primary election for the first time since Reconstructionsince Reconstruction

1946 Governor’s Race1946 Governor’s Race

Candidates in the Democratic primary:Candidates in the Democratic primary: Eugene TalmadgeEugene Talmadge Eurith RiversEurith Rivers James CarmichaelJames Carmichael

Talmadge won the county unit vote/became Talmadge won the county unit vote/became Democratic candidateDemocratic candidate

Republicans had no candidateRepublicans had no candidate Talmadge ran unopposed in general election Talmadge ran unopposed in general election

(62/poor health)(62/poor health) Few hundred supporters wrote in son’s name on Few hundred supporters wrote in son’s name on

ballot as their 2ballot as their 2ndnd choic choic Talmadge SR elected GovernorTalmadge SR elected Governor Melvin Thompson Lieutenant GovernorMelvin Thompson Lieutenant Governor

Talmadge sworn in/diedTalmadge sworn in/died CONFUSION BEGAN---CONFUSION BEGAN---

Write in ballots for Herman Talmadge “suddenly Write in ballots for Herman Talmadge “suddenly appeared”- Legislature chose him as governorappeared”- Legislature chose him as governor

Governor Arnall declared Melvin Thompson GovernorGovernor Arnall declared Melvin Thompson Governor

Group of Eugene Talmadge’s men broke Group of Eugene Talmadge’s men broke into governor’s office and changed the into governor’s office and changed the locks on the door and prepared to run the locks on the door and prepared to run the state themselves!state themselves!

Arnall set up office at Capitol (locked out)Arnall set up office at Capitol (locked out) 3 days later-resigned3 days later-resigned

Thompson opened office in downtown AtlThompson opened office in downtown Atl Began legal proceedings to become governorBegan legal proceedings to become governor

Secretary of State Ben Fortson refused to Secretary of State Ben Fortson refused to give official state seal (give official state seal (used for legalizing used for legalizing documentsdocuments) to anyone ) to anyone

No one could run the state!No one could run the state!

March 1948- GA Supreme Court ruled that March 1948- GA Supreme Court ruled that Thompson was rightful head of state until Thompson was rightful head of state until special election could be held to fill special election could be held to fill unexpired term of Governor-elect (Eugene unexpired term of Governor-elect (Eugene Talmadge)Talmadge)

Herman Talmadge electedHerman Talmadge elected

Herman Talmadge

Brown V Board of EducationBrown V Board of Education

19501950 7 year old Linda Brown tried to enroll in all 7 year old Linda Brown tried to enroll in all

white school in Topeka, KSwhite school in Topeka, KS Entry deniedEntry denied NAACP helped Brown’s father sue the NAACP helped Brown’s father sue the

Topeka Board of EducationTopeka Board of Education Case reached Supreme CourtCase reached Supreme Court 1954 ruling-separate but equal school 1954 ruling-separate but equal school

unconstitutionalunconstitutional

After nearly 60 years, After nearly 60 years, Plessy V FergusonPlessy V Ferguson case overturnedcase overturned

Many states were SLOW to carry out Many states were SLOW to carry out orders of segregationorders of segregation

Martin Luther King, JR.Martin Luther King, JR.

January 15, 1929January 15, 1929 Family actively involved in African Family actively involved in African

American Baptist ChurchAmerican Baptist Church Grandfather one of founders of Atlanta Grandfather one of founders of Atlanta

chapter of NAACP/pastor of Ebenezer chapter of NAACP/pastor of Ebenezer Baptist ChurchBaptist Church

Father also pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Father also pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church Church

Attended Morehouse CollegeAttended Morehouse College Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church Pastor of Dexter Avenue Baptist Church

(Montgomery, AL)(Montgomery, AL) Interested in Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent Interested in Mahatma Gandhi’s nonviolent

approach to bring social changeapproach to bring social change Led Montgomery Improvement Association after Led Montgomery Improvement Association after

Rosa Parks refused to give up seat on Rosa Parks refused to give up seat on bus/received national attention for his role in the bus/received national attention for his role in the bus boycottbus boycott

Believed:Believed:4 pronged approach for gaining civil 4 pronged approach for gaining civil rights for all Americans:rights for all Americans:

1. direct, nonviolent actions1. direct, nonviolent actions 2. legal remedies2. legal remedies 3. ballots3. ballots 4. economic boycotts4. economic boycotts

1957 helped form Southern Christian 1957 helped form Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC)Leadership Conference (SCLC)

1963 helped organize protests in 1963 helped organize protests in Birmingham/President Kennedy appalled Birmingham/President Kennedy appalled at police violence against unarmed black at police violence against unarmed black protesters/Kennedy urged Congress to protesters/Kennedy urged Congress to pass major civil rights laws/led to passage pass major civil rights laws/led to passage of Civil Rights Act of 1964of Civil Rights Act of 1964

1967 began Poor People’s Campaign to 1967 began Poor People’s Campaign to address economic issues left unsolved by address economic issues left unsolved by earlier legislationearlier legislation

August 1963-March on Washington/August 1963-March on Washington/ ““I Have a Dream” speechI Have a Dream” speech YouTube - Martin Luther King "I have a dr

eam“ 1968 Dr. King was assassinated 1968 Dr. King was assassinated 1963 Man of the Year (Time Mag)1963 Man of the Year (Time Mag) 1964 Nobel Peace Prize1964 Nobel Peace Prize

1956 State Flag1956 State Flag

1956 Changed to incorporate the St. Andrew’s 1956 Changed to incorporate the St. Andrew’s cross, a cross, a Confederate battle emblemConfederate battle emblem

Long subject of controversy and division within Long subject of controversy and division within the statethe state

Modern leaders offended by image of state Modern leaders offended by image of state caught up in pastcaught up in past

Damaging to GA’s tourist industry and world’s Damaging to GA’s tourist industry and world’s businessesbusinesses

Governor Barnes called on to change flagGovernor Barnes called on to change flag

1956-2001

Jan 31, 2001Barnes signed the bill Jan 31, 2001Barnes signed the bill authorizing the new flag into lawauthorizing the new flag into law

Some saw 1956 flag as a memorial to Some saw 1956 flag as a memorial to Confederate war dead/proud heritage – Confederate war dead/proud heritage – outraged at changeoutraged at change

Others saw 1956 flag as symbol of racismOthers saw 1956 flag as symbol of racism Became issue in 2000 Election/Barnes V Became issue in 2000 Election/Barnes V

PerduePerdue Those offended over flag change voted Those offended over flag change voted

against Barnes/not reelectedagainst Barnes/not reelected Perdue signed new state flag into law 5/8/03Perdue signed new state flag into law 5/8/03

2001-2003

2003 flag 2003 flag based on first national flag of Confederacybased on first national flag of Confederacy Left corner square blue section containing Left corner square blue section containing

GA’s coat of arms and words, “GA’s coat of arms and words, “In God We In God We Trust”Trust”

surrounding coat of arms is circle of 13 stars surrounding coat of arms is circle of 13 stars representing the original 13 coloniesrepresenting the original 13 colonies

March 2004-people of GA voted to keep March 2004-people of GA voted to keep the 2003 flag as the state flag.the 2003 flag as the state flag.

2003- present

Student Non-Violent Coordinating Student Non-Violent Coordinating Committee(SNCC)Committee(SNCC)

1960 black students in North Carolina 1960 black students in North Carolina started a new era of proteststarted a new era of protest

Refuse to leave until they are served or Refuse to leave until they are served or their needs are met—sit instheir needs are met—sit ins

Formed this new organization (SNCC) Formed this new organization (SNCC) called “snick”called “snick”

John Lewis first president of the org from John Lewis first president of the org from GAGA

Led protests, sit ins, and boycottsLed protests, sit ins, and boycotts

Sibley CommissionSibley Commission

Most schools in GA refused desegregationMost schools in GA refused desegregation 1955- Opposition to integration was so strong 1955- Opposition to integration was so strong

that the General Assembly voted to cut state that the General Assembly voted to cut state funds for refusingfunds for refusing

General Assembly organized a 14 member General Assembly organized a 14 member commission headed by John Sibley, Atlanta commission headed by John Sibley, Atlanta attorney and banker, thus Sibley Commissionattorney and banker, thus Sibley Commission

Held hearings all over the state to hear public Held hearings all over the state to hear public opinionopinion

Rather close schools than integrate them The commission recommended that local

school systems decide if they wanted to abide by a probable court order or choose to close schools

Private schools were opened to avoid the issue

Hamilton Holmes/Charlayne HunterHamilton Holmes/Charlayne Hunter

Jan 6, 1961, UGA allowed its first two black Jan 6, 1961, UGA allowed its first two black studentsstudents

They were escorted into the school by state They were escorted into the school by state patrol officerspatrol officers

Charlayne Hunter graduated from Henry Charlayne Hunter graduated from Henry Grady School of Journalism and later as Grady School of Journalism and later as Charlayne Hunter-Gault became a nationally Charlayne Hunter-Gault became a nationally known newspaper and public TV reporter known newspaper and public TV reporter

Hamilton Holmes installed in Phi Beta Kappa, Hamilton Holmes installed in Phi Beta Kappa, graduated with honors and later practiced graduated with honors and later practiced medicine as an orthopedic surgeon until 1995 medicine as an orthopedic surgeon until 1995 deathdeath

Vandiver was the governor who instructed the Vandiver was the governor who instructed the college to open the doors to both studentscollege to open the doors to both students

Many citizens pleaded to close UGA insteadMany citizens pleaded to close UGA instead Vandiver had won the governor’s office by Vandiver had won the governor’s office by

promising to not integrate schoolspromising to not integrate schools Vandiver also asked legislature to abolish Vandiver also asked legislature to abolish

other segregation lawsother segregation laws

As a result of Vandiver’s actions, GA’s As a result of Vandiver’s actions, GA’s further desegregation of schools were further desegregation of schools were smoother and calmer than other states. smoother and calmer than other states.

Albany MovementAlbany Movement

1961 center of civil rights activity1961 center of civil rights activity Population 40% African AmericanPopulation 40% African American Mostly farmingMostly farming Only a small fraction were allowed to vote, Only a small fraction were allowed to vote,

despite Brown vs Board of Education despite Brown vs Board of Education

Nov 1, 1961 NAACP and SNCC decided to Nov 1, 1961 NAACP and SNCC decided to test the ruling of segregation in interstate test the ruling of segregation in interstate bus and train stations bus and train stations

Sat in “white only” waiting room at the Sat in “white only” waiting room at the Albany bus station Albany bus station

ArrestedArrested African American community created the African American community created the

Albany Movement led by Dr. William Albany Movement led by Dr. William AndersonAnderson

December- black and white freedom riders December- black and white freedom riders arrived to support the movementarrived to support the movement

Arrested at the train station terminalArrested at the train station terminal Next day, SNCC led a march of high school Next day, SNCC led a march of high school

students to same train stationstudents to same train station Arrested and jailed while the press watchedArrested and jailed while the press watched 500 people in jail or out on bond500 people in jail or out on bond Dr King and Rev Ralph Abernathy were Dr King and Rev Ralph Abernathy were

arrested for asking for a meeting to resolve arrested for asking for a meeting to resolve disputedispute

Biracial committee was created to study Biracial committee was created to study issues issues

March of Washington 1963March of Washington 1963

June 19, 1963 strongest bill for civil right June 19, 1963 strongest bill for civil right sent to Congress by Kennedysent to Congress by Kennedy

Called to End:Called to End: Discrimination in public placesDiscrimination in public places Fair employment assurancesFair employment assurances Voter registration practicesVoter registration practices

Withhold funds from projects where Withhold funds from projects where discrimination was practiceddiscrimination was practiced

Authority of attorney general to file suit Authority of attorney general to file suit school districts not following rules of school districts not following rules of integrationintegration

250,000 people gathered at Washington 250,000 people gathered at Washington Monument to demonstrate its passageMonument to demonstrate its passage

All races, creeds, and nationalities were All races, creeds, and nationalities were representedrepresented

King made the “I Have a Dream” Speech King made the “I Have a Dream” Speech

Civil Rights ActCivil Rights Act 1963 Kennedy went on national TV to 1963 Kennedy went on national TV to

describe segregation as a moral crisis for describe segregation as a moral crisis for AmericaAmerica

Kennedy was assassinated (Nov 23, 1963) Kennedy was assassinated (Nov 23, 1963) and did not live to see the bill become law.and did not live to see the bill become law.

Johnson took over and vowed to fight for the Johnson took over and vowed to fight for the civil rights billcivil rights bill

1964 Civil Rights Act became law 1964 Civil Rights Act became law

Maynard JacksonMaynard Jackson 1974 first African American and youngest 1974 first African American and youngest

mayor of Atlantamayor of Atlanta Morehouse CollegeMorehouse College North Carolina Central University Law North Carolina Central University Law

School in 1964School in 1964 Neighborhood planning units to give voice Neighborhood planning units to give voice

to citizensto citizens Tackled police brutalityTackled police brutality

Changed the organization and Changed the organization and administration of the police, fire dept, and administration of the police, fire dept, and city govtcity govt

Expansion of MARTAExpansion of MARTA Expansion of Hartsfield Intl AirportExpansion of Hartsfield Intl Airport Supporter of the arts-Bureau of Cultural Supporter of the arts-Bureau of Cultural

AffairsAffairs Art construction projects around AtlantaArt construction projects around Atlanta Worked to get Olympics to AtlantaWorked to get Olympics to Atlanta Died in 2003, Hartsfield-Jackson Intl AirportDied in 2003, Hartsfield-Jackson Intl Airport

Lester MaddoxLester Maddox 1967 governor1967 governor SegregationistSegregationist Restaurant owner-Pickrick near Georgia Restaurant owner-Pickrick near Georgia

TechTech Closed the restaurant instead of serving Closed the restaurant instead of serving

blacksblacks Appointed African Americans to state Appointed African Americans to state

boards and commissionsboards and commissions

Named the first black member of the Board Named the first black member of the Board of Pardons and Parolesof Pardons and Paroles

Reformed state prisonsReformed state prisons Integrated GA state patrolIntegrated GA state patrol People’s Day-could visit the Gov mansion 2 People’s Day-could visit the Gov mansion 2

times a month to discuss issuestimes a month to discuss issues

Andrew YoungAndrew Young Civil rights leaderCivil rights leader PastorPastor Established citizenship schools to teach Established citizenship schools to teach

future leaders about nonviolent strategies future leaders about nonviolent strategies Aide to MLK JrAide to MLK Jr Was with MLK Jr when assassinatedWas with MLK Jr when assassinated 1972 House of Representatives1972 House of Representatives

First African American elected since First African American elected since ReconstructionReconstruction

1977 Pres Carter named him US 1977 Pres Carter named him US Ambassador to United NationsAmbassador to United Nations

1981 Mayor of Atlanta twice1981 Mayor of Atlanta twice Co-chairman to bring 1996 Olympics to AtlCo-chairman to bring 1996 Olympics to Atl Professor at Georgia State UniversityProfessor at Georgia State University