unit 11 modern georgia powerpoint #2. learning targets evaluate key post-world war ii developments...
DESCRIPTION
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).TRANSCRIPT
Unit 11
Modern GeorgiaPowerPoint #2
Learning TargetsEvaluate key post-World War II
developments of Georgia from 1945 – 1970
c. Discuss the impact of Ellis Arnall.
Ellis ArnallDefeated Eugene Talmadge for Governor in
1942.Progressive Governor – believed in using
government to change things.First Governor to serve a 4 year term.Youngest Governor in the nation at the time.Led Georgia to become the first state to grant 18 year olds the right to vote.Supported the end to the poll tax (made it
easier for African Americans to vote).
Prison SystemArnall 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.
1946 Governor’s RaceIn 1946, Governor Ellis Arnall’s term was
drawing to a close.Democratic Primary Candidates:
Segregationist Eugene TalmadgeFormer 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
Talmadge won the county unit vote and became the Democratic candidate.
Republican CandidateThe Republicans did not have a
candidate, so Talmadge ran unopposed in the November general election.
Eugene Talmadge62 years old and in poor
healthHis 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 2nd choice for Governor.
General Election Results
Eugene Talmadge = GovernorMelvin Thompson = Lieutenant Governor
Talmadge Dies
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).
Governor Arnall declared that Lt. Governor Thompson was the governor.
A Break-InIn 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 OutBecause 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.
Lt. Governor ThompsonIn 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.
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.
As a result, no one was in a position to run the state.
Supreme Court RulesFinally, 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.