20th & 21st Century Virginia
VS.9
During the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, Virginia changed
from a rural, agricultural society to a more urban, industrialized
society.
WHY DID VIRGINIA CHANGE FROM A RURAL AND AGRICULTURAL
TO A MORE INDUSTRIALIZED SOCIETY?
Agriculture was declining.
During the 20th century, agriculture began to change.
old system of farming were no longer effective
crop prices were low
WHAT CAUSED VIRGINIA’S CITIES TO GROW?
People moved from rural to urban areas for economic ($)
opportunities.
1
HOW DID TECHNOLOGY EFFECT GROWTH OF VIRGINIA’S CITIES?
The technological improvements in transportation helped cities
grow. Examples of technological developments that led to the
growth of Virginia’s cities:
roads
railroads
streetcars
HOW DID COAL MINING EFFECT VIRGINIA’S GROWTH?
Coal mining spurred the growth of Virginia towns and cities as
people moved from the countryside to the towns and cities to get
jobs working in the coal mining industry. (Remember learning
about the discovery of coal deposits in Tazewell County?)
WHAT ELSE HAS CAUSED VIRGINIA’S POPULATION TO GROW?
People have moved to Virginia from many other states and countries.
2
WHY DID NORTHERN VIRGINIA GROW SO MUCH DURING THE
20TH CENTURY?
Northern Virginia has experienced growth due to the increased federal
(government) jobs in the area. Keep in mind that Northern Virginia borders
Washington D.C.
WHY DID NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND THE COASTAL PLAIN REGION
GROW IN THE LATE 20TH AND THE EARLY 21ST CENTURY?
Computer technology also contributed to the growth of Northern Virginia
and the Tidewater.
TERMS YOU NEED TO KNOWSegregation- the separation of people, usually based on race or
religion.
Desegregation- is the ending of segregation (the unfair separation
based on race or religion)
Integration- is the full equality for all races in the use of public
facilities and services (No more “Jim Crow” laws)
Massive Resistance- this was a move to “resist” the integration of Virginia’s
Public School
3
WHAT CHANGES OCCURED IN VIRGINIA AS A RESULT OF THE CIVIL
RIGHTS MOVEMENT?
In 1954, the Supreme Court heard the Brown v. Board of Education
case. They ruled that “separate but equal” public schools were
unconstitutional (against the law).
The Supreme Court ruled that “separate but equal” schools were against
the law. Separate but equal became illegal. All public schools, including
those in Virginia were ordered to desegregate.
HOW DID VIRGINIA’S GOVERNMENT REACT TO HAVING TO
DESEGREGATE SCHOOLS?
Virginia’s Government established the policy of “Massive Resistance”.
They fought or “resisted” integrating public schools.
Some schools closed to avoid integration.
The policy of Massive Resistance eventually failed and Virginia’s
public schools were integrated.
WHO LED THE MASSIVE RESISTANCE MOVEMENT IN VIRGINIA?
Harry F. Byrd, Sr., as a Virginia Senator, led
the Massive Resistance Movement against the
integration of public schools.
4
WHICH VIRGINIANS WERE IMPORTANT NATIONAL &
INTERNATIONAL LEADERS?
Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) was a 20th century president of the
United States. He wrote a plan for world peace.
George C. Marshall (1887-1966) -was a military leader who created
an economic plan that would ensure to peace. (He lived right here in
Leesburg at Dodona Manor.)
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID HARRY F. BYRD
MAKE AS VIRGINIA’S GOVERNOR?
Harry F. Byrd, as governor, was known for the
“Pay As You Go” policy for road improvements
and for modernizing Virginia’s government.
5
Road improvements
Modernizing the Va.
Government
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID MAGGIE L. WALKER MAKE?
Maggie L. Walker (1864-1934) was the first
African American (male or female) to establish a
bank and become a bank president.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID ARTHUR ASHE, JR. MAKE?
Arthur Ashe, Jr.(1943-1993) was the first African American winner of
a major men’s tennis singles tournament. He was also an author, and
an eloquent spokesperson for social change.
First African
American tennis
champion
Spokesman for
social change
Author
6
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID L. DOUGLAS WILDER MAKE?
L. Douglas Wilder (1931- ) was the first African American to be elected
governor in the United States. He was governor of Virginia.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID OLIVER W. HILL, Sr., MAKE?
Oliver W. Hill, Sr. (1907-2007) was a lawyer and civil rights leader. He worked
for equal rights for African Americans. He played a key role in the Brown v.
Board of Education decision.
WHAT CONTRIBUTIONS DID A. LINWOOD HOLTON, Jr. MAKE?
A. Linwood Holton (1923- ) as governor of Virginia, promoted racial equality,
and appointed more African Americans and women to positions in Virginia’s
state government than any previous governor.
7