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Georgia's History and the New Deal

Overview of New Deal Events in Georgia

  • Standard SS8H8: Analyze important events after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

    • Key Points:

    • Political career of Eugene Talmadge.

    • Impact of the New Deal on Georgia, focusing on:

      • Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

      • Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)

      • Rural Electrification

      • Social Security

Teacher Preparation for the Unit

  • Materials:

    • Print Who’s & What’s handouts for each student.

    • Students fill in definitions before and after the unit.

    • Class discussion to check answers after presentations.

Definitions and Key Concepts

  • New Deal:

    • Definition: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s plan aimed at utilizing government programs to assist in national recovery from the Great Depression.

  • Eugene Talmadge:

    • Definition: A powerful Georgia politician and governor who opposed many New Deal programs.

  • Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC):

    • Definition: A public work relief program for young men aged 18 to 25 aimed at environmental conservation and infrastructure.

  • Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA):

    • Definition: Legislation enacted in 1933 to reduce crop production and increase farm prices.

  • Rural Electrification:

    • Definition: A program to provide electricity to rural areas through low-interest loans.

  • Social Security:

    • Definition: Government program established in 1935 to provide retirement pay and unemployment insurance.

Detailed Components of the New Deal

New Deal Overview

  • Implementation: Roosevelt began implementing programs by injecting federal funds into the economy to help the needy, working with advisors to create effective recovery strategies.

  • End Goal: To aid the nation in recovery and restore economic stability.

Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)

  • Key Facts:

    • Enacted in: 1933

    • Purpose: Combat overproduction and elevate farm prices.

    • Success Factors:

    • Farmers were paid to produce less, diversifying crops beyond cotton to include peanuts, corn, and tobacco.

    • Resulted in increased profits for farmers by restricting supply and driving prices up.

    • By 1950, Georgia became the leading state in peanut production and poultry farming, recovering the peach industry.

Social Security Act

  • Enactment: Passed in 1935.

  • Provisions:

    • Retirement benefits and government assistance for workers.

    • Unemployment insurance for laid-off workers.

    • Remains the only New Deal program still operational today.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

  • Overview:

    • Provided jobs primarily to young men engaged in environmental and infrastructure projects.

    • Notable Contributions:

    • Built roads and planted forests.

    • Worked to improve national parks, including the Chattahoochee National Forest and Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park.

    • By 1941, over 2 million men had benefitted from the program.

Rural Electrification Administration (REA)

  • Initiation: Established in 1935.

  • Context: At the time, 97% of Georgia’s farms lacked electricity.

  • Impact:

    • Provided low-interest loans to build power lines for rural farmers.

    • Within 15 years, most Georgia farms were electrified.

Eugene Talmadge's Political Career

  • Tenure: Served as Georgia's governor during two terms: 1933-1937 and 1941-1943.

  • Policies:

    • Opposed civil rights for African Americans, resisted school integration, and rejected many New Deal policies.

    • Sought to minimize federal government intervention in state matters.

  • Impact on New Deal: Due to his opposition, many benefits of the New Deal did not reach Georgia until post his administration.

  • Legacy: Led to the eventual election of pro-New Deal Governor Eurith Rivers, who promoted the adoption of beneficial programs in Georgia.

Conclusion

  • The New Deal did not fully restore the economy but played a crucial role in recovery as the nation moved toward World War II.

  • Significant achievements included infrastructure improvements, agricultural support, and social insurance programs that laid the foundation for future economic stability in Georgia and across the United States.