Civil Rights
Movement
What do you know or remember
about the Civil Rights Movement?
Brainstorm in small groups using the organizer
Civil Rights: The rights of
citizens to political and social
freedom and equality.
What groups in Georgia’s
History have not had civil
rights or limited civil rights?
Select one of the
following overviews of the
Civil Rights Movement:
Civil Rights Movement
Overview [4:20]
History of the Civil Rights
Movement [5:52]
During this unit, you will be
learning more specifically about
some of the events and people
you saw in the video, as well as,
many others.
However, before we get into
specific events of the Civil Rights
Movement, we will examine
events in Georgia that helped to
fuel the Civil Rights Movement.
Essential Question:
How did political events during
the 1940s and 1950s fuel unrest
in Georgia?
Standard:
SS8H11a. Describe major
developments in civil rights and
Georgia’s role during the 1940s and
1950s; include the roles of Herman
Talmadge, Benjamin Mays, the 1946
governor’s race and the end of the
white primary, Brown v. Board of
Education, Martin Luther King, Jr.,
and the 1956 state flag.
“White Primary”
Document Analysis
Use Your Graphic Organizer
to take Notes
White Primary
 “White Primary” was a
practice that did not allow
African Americans to vote in
the primary elections (first
elections held to determine
the candidates for the
general election)
 Georgia’s White Primary was
ended by a federal court case
in 1945
1946
Governor’s Race
Watch the Three Governors
Controversy Part I video
[see resources].
Pay close attention to the
problem that is described
because you will need to
discuss it with a partner.
1946 Governor’s Race
Describe the problem…
• Eugene Talmadge was elected,
but died before taking office
• Knowing he was sick, Eugene
Talmadge supporters secretly
wrote his son’s name, Herman
on ballots
• The General Assembly chose the
person with the largest write-in
votes, Herman Talmadge
1946 Governor’s Race
Describe the problem…
• The new constitution said the
Lieutenant Governor [Melvin
Thompson] would take office if
the governor died
• The outgoing governor, Ellis
Arnall refused to accept the
General Assembly election
results. He refused to give up his
position until the issue was
resolved
Watch the Three Governors
Controversy Part II video
[see resources].
Pay close attention to the
resolution so you can discuss
it with a partner.
1946 Governor’s Race
How was it resolved?
• The Georgia Supreme Court
ruled that the Lieutenant
Governor [Thompson] was
the rightful governor and
Talmadge left the governor’s
office
• A special election was called
in 1948 and Talmadge closely
defeated Thompson
Significance of the 1946
Governor’s Race
The 1946 Governor’s Race
was an embarrassment for
the state that became
nationwide news. More
importantly, it led to a series
of segregationist governors
1946 Governor’s Race Review
Herman
Talmadge
Herman Talmadge
• Son of Eugene Talmadge who
ultimately lost in the 1946
Governor’s Race
• He won the Governor’s race in
the 1948 special election
• Positive: He successfully pushed
for a state sales tax to support
Georgia’s public education
system
Herman Talmadge
• Positive: He brought more
industry to the state
• Negative: He was an tough
segregationist who fought
against the U.S. Supreme Court’s
civil rights decisions, primarily
the desegregation of schools.
• Negative: He wanted to restore
the White Primary
1956
State Flag
Pro-civil rights court rulings
such as Brown v. Board of
Education angered many
southern states.
Southern states began urging
their white citizens to display
acts of massive resistance
against the federal mandates
banning segregation.
One of the ways the Georgia
General Assembly showed
their disregard for these
federal regulations was by
changing the state flag.
Georgia State Flag
1920-1956
1956-2001
Georgia State Flag
1956-2001
The 1956 flag incorporated
the Confederate battle flag
At that time, the Confederate
battle flag had become a
symbol of southern protest
and resistance to the federal
government.
The new state flag was
symbolic of Georgia’s resistance
to the federal government’s
integration laws.
1956 State Flag
Select one of the quotes below and discuss what is
meant with a partner.
 Representative Denmark Groover said that the flag
“…will serve notice that we intend to uphold what
we stood for, will stand for, and will fight for.”
 Another Representative 40 years later said
“There was only one reason for putting
that flag on there. Like the gun rack in
the back of a pickup truck, it telegraphs
a message.”
Current State Flag
In 2001, the governor changed the
flag. In 2003, the people of Georgia
were allowed to vote on the flag.
If you lived in Georgia
during the 1940s and 1950s,
which of the four topics
discussed below would have
upset you the most? Explain
your answer.
 White Primary
 1946 Governor’s Race
 Eugene Talmadge
 1956 State Flag