Eugene Talmadge Warm upcomplete ASAP Support your assigned
- Slides: 10
Eugene Talmadge
Warm up-complete ASAP • Support your assigned claim* with three pieces of evidence from what we’ve learned about: • Civilian Conservation Corps • Agricultural Adjustment Act • Rural Electrification • Social Security • *even if you have the opposite opinion. • Start reading Talmadge article when you are finished.
Timeline • 1920 and 1922 – Unsuccessfully campaigned for the Georgia General Assembly Can you be elected to • 1926 – 1930 – Held the position as Agriculture • 1932 and 1934 Governor for FOUR terms? How is this Commissioner possible? – Elected governor of Georgia • 1940 – Elected governor of Georgia for the THIRD time • 1946 – Elected governor of Georgia for the FOURTH time
Talmadge was a controversial political figure and a known white supremacist; how was he able to win elections? • Due to his support for farmers, he gained a great deal of support from rural communities. • The power of county unit system secured a win in 1932 and 1934.
What was Talmadge's political platform? • Advocate for farmers & “common man. ” • Balance state’s budget • Lower utility rates • Reduce price of auto tags • Reorganize state highway board
Why were Talmadge’s methods for getting bills passed considered controversial? • Used executive order to pass lower automobile tag when legislature refused. • When Public Service Commission (an elected board) refused to lower utility rates, he appointed a new board. • When highway board resisted his control, he declared martial law and appointed new members to the board.
What decisions did Talmadge make that hurt Georgia? • He fought against Roosevelt’s New Deal policies, especially those who aided African Americans. • The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACs) removed the state’s accreditation of all white colleges after Talmadge forced the removal two faculty members for racial issues.
Explain the Three Governors Controversy after watching the video;
Three Governor Controversy • In 1946, Eugene Talmadge won re-election, but died before entering the office. • An embarrassing situation for Georgia ensued. Three men claim the office of governor. 1. Governor #1: Talmadge supporters wanted Herman Talmadge, Eugene’s son to take his place. 2. Governor #2: Melvin Thompson was elected Lt. Governor, but this was the first time had elected a Lt. Governor and the new constitution was not clear if the Lt. Governor would replace the Governor (he was a member of the anti-Talmadge camp) 3. Governor #3: The outgoing governor Ellis Arnall refused to leave office until it was clear who was to be Governor.
Conclusion • The Supreme Court decided the Lt. Governor Thompson was the acting Governor until a special election could be held in 1948 to decide who would hold office for the remainder of the original term. • Herman Talmadge was elected over Thompson in 1948.
