Unit 10: Modern Georgia SS8H12 Griffith-GA Studies Unit Focus The student will understand how various social, economic, and political changes have impacted life in Georgia since 1970. Students will discover ways that our economy is driven by production, distribution and consumption of goods and services. Students will evaluate the relevance and impact of the movement and migration of non-English speaking people into our state. They will also learn that as our society has become more complex, our governance has become more complex. Griffith-GA Studies THE BIG IDEA (Unit 10) SS8H12: The student will explain the importance of significant social, economic, and political developments in Georgia since 1970. Explain- to make understandable, to spell out; illustrate, interpret Griffith-GA Studies SS8H12a One Man, One Vote SS8H12a: Evaluate the consequences of the end of the county unit system and reapportionment. Evaluate: to make a judgment as to the worth or value of something; judge assess Griffith-GA Studies County Unit System SS8H12a Recall the county unit system… Established in 1917, the county unit system allotted votes in statewide elections by county classification but was disproportionate to actual population Gave political power to the rural counties and kept Democrats in power Unfair because… While rural counties made up 30% of the population or less, they had 59% of the voting power for statewide elected positions Griffith-GA Studies The County Unit System Why did GA Democrats care so much about keeping SS8H7a the County Unit M.E. Thompson System? - 1954 County Unit system allowed rural counties to control GA politics with little power for cities like Atlanta Informally started in 1898 Formally instituted in 1917 Votes were allotted by county In use until outlawed in 1960’s Camden County voting in the 1960’s Griffith-Georgia Studies The County Unit System SS8H7a Griffith-Georgia Studies End of the County Unit System SS8H12a Argument: Rural counties had control which diluted the vote of more liberal urban voters and of blacks who lived in the more heavily populated areas Case: 1962 Gray vs. Sanders : James Sanders sued James Gray (head of Dem. Party) saying his vote was worth less than others Judge/Decision: Judge Griffin Bell headed a panel that ruled that the system was invalid and must be redesigned in a way that gives every vote equal weight Griffith-GA Studies Reapportionment SS8H12a Before Reapportionment: each county had at least one state representative giving rural counties control of the state legislature. Court Case: Reynolds v. Sims in 1964 U.S. Supreme court ruled that legislative districts must be drawn solely based on population. Effects: Since more Georgians lived in urban areas they gained power while rural areas lost power in the state legislature Griffith-GA Studies SS8H12a End of the County Unit System Discussion: Can you answer the EQ now??? (Governance) Essential Question: What was the effect of the end of the county unit system? SS8H12b - Jimmy Carter SS8H12b: Describe the role of Jimmy Carter in Georgia as state senator, governor, president, and past president. Describe- to represent or give and account of in words; recount, report Griffith-GA Studies Jimmy Carter SS8H12b James Earl Carter Jr. Born 10/1/1924 in Plains, GA State Senator, GA Governor Only Georgian to serve as President 39th President of United States (1977-1981) Show: “Peanut Farmer” clip Griffith-GA Studies Jimmy Carter- Early Life SS8H12b Family farm in Archery near Plains, GA. His father was a merchant , his mother was a registered nurse Avid Reader Colleges: Attended GA Southwestern College, GA Tech, then admitted to U.S. Naval Academy Carter’s father died in 1953 and he left the Navy to go home and run the family business Griffith-GA Studies Carter’s Boyhood Home Now a National Historic Site, President Carter’s Boyhood home is in the community of Archery near Plains, GA. Griffith-GA Studies Jimmy Carter- State Senator SS8H12b After reviving family business Carter became involved in local politics Served on local school board, hospital authority 1st elected to state senate in 1962 where he served 2 terms and was on the education committee Griffith-GA Studies Jimmy Carter- Governor of GA SS8H12b Elected Governor in 1970 and in his inaugural address called for an end to racial discrimination Reorganized state government through a process he called “Modernization” As governor he eliminated unneeded positions, saved GA money, and appointed many women and minorities to government positions Griffith-GA Studies Revisit your Carter Speech Excerpt ideas from the News conference response- Tallahassee, FL – Sep. 1975 beginning of class “I intend to win. Being elected president is very important to me. But it is not the most important thing in my life. I don't have to be president. There are a lot of things that I would not do to be elected. I would never tell a lie, I would never make a misleading statement, I would never betray your trust in me, and I will never avoid a controversial issue.... If I should ever do any of those things, don't support me. Because I would not be worthy to be president of the country. But I don't intend to do any of them, because ... people like you ... want us to have once again a nation with a government that is as honest and decent and fair and competent and truthful and idealistic as are the American people. If we could just have a government once again as good as our people are, that'll be a great achievement.” Griffith-GA Studies Jimmy Carter- President Approach: SS8H12b Pledged to be honest Emphasized peace and human rights Camp David Accords Peace between Israel and Egypt which was negotiated by President Carter while at Camp David Problems plagued his presidency Oil Embargo Iranian Hostage crisis High Interest Rates Griffith-GA Studies Show: “Do it Yourself” clip The Carter Presidency: Arab Oil Embargo SS8H12b During the embargo, which began in 1973, OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries) limited supplies of oil and controlled prices. Effects: led to gas shortages, high prices, inflation and overall economic damage Griffith-GA Studies The Carter Presidency: Iranian Hostage Crisis SS8H12b November 1979, had been a change in power in Iran The former Shah became sick and the U.S. allowed him to come over for treatment Young Islamic revolutionaries overtook the U.S. Embassy in Tehran, Iran and took hostages Ayatollah Khomeini (new leader) supported the radicals Carter tried unsuccessfully to negotiate the release of the hostages Iranians released the hostages minutes after Reagan was inaugurated. (444 Days) Griffith-GA Studies Cartoon 1 Cartoon 2 Griffith-GA Studies Cartoon 3 Jimmy Carter- Past President G.S. SS8H12b Since the Presidency: Authored several books Established The Carter Center in Atlanta, GA Promoted human rights Worked to resolve International conflicts Active volunteer for Habitat for Humanity Regularly teaches Sunday School at Maranatha Baptist Church Griffith-GA Studies Jimmy Carter Nobel Peace Prize SS8H12b In 2002 President Jimmy Carter won the Nobel Peace Prize for his continued peace efforts and his unwavering support for human rights Only 2 winners from Georgia: President Carter and MLK Jr. Griffith-GA Studies SS8H12b – Jimmy Carter Discussion: Can you answer the EQ now??? (Individuals, groups, and institutions) Essential Question: How has the life and political career of Jimmy Carter impacted the state? How has the life and political career of Jimmy Carter impacted the nation and world? SS8H12c - 2 Party System SS8H12c: Analyze the impact of the rise of the two-party system in Georgia. Analyze- to divide a complex idea into parts or elements; dissect, break down Griffith-GA Studies 2 Party System in GA SS8H12c Political Parties are organizations that seek to elect their members to public office. The goal of the party is to control the government by winning elections 2 main political parties: Democrats and Republicans In Primary elections Voters select the person who will represent the party in the general election Primaries are open to members of both parties You may only vote in one party primary Griffith-GA Studies Political Trends in Georgia SS8H12c After the civil war in Georgia politics was dominated by the Democratic Party Over the past several GA has moved from a 1 Party to a 2 Party state. Factors in this change: 1. End of the county unit system 2. Reapportionment 3. GA shifted in 1960’s away from Democratic party b/c of their support for the civil rights movement Griffith-GA Studies GA Politicians: Julian Bond SS8H12c Democrat State H.O.R. 1967-1974 State Senate 1975-1986 He was denied his spot in the GA House of Representative due to his “position on Vietnam” U.S. Supreme court ruled in his favor and he was given his seat. Civil rights leader Griffith-GA Studies GA Politicians: George Busbee SS8H12c Democrat Lawyer from Albany GA House of Rep. (1956-1974) Governor of GA (1975-1983) High priority on Education Created state-funded Kindergarten Revised 1945 Constitution in 1982 Griffith-GA Studies GA Politicians: Sam Nunn SS8H12c Democrat Served in U.S. Senate from 1972-1996 Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Life long campaign to stop nuclear weapons & other WMD Griffith-GA Studies GA Politicians: Joe Frank Harris SS8H12c Democrat From Cartersville State H.O.R. (1964-1973) Governor of GA (1983-1991) Stressed Economic development Created Quality Based Education Improved funding for public education Increased teacher salaries Helped bring Olympics to Atlanta Griffith-GA Studies GA Politicians: Zell Miller SS8H12c Conservative Democrat Teacher at Young Harris College in Young Harris, GA State Senator (1959-1963) Lt. Governor (1975-1991) GA governor (1991-1999) Georgia Lottery Pre-K, HOPE U.S.