Post WWII Era 1945 Present Growth and Change

Post WWII Era 1945 - Present

Growth and Change in Metropolitan Atlanta • Atlanta experienced rapid growth • Became the center of finance, transportation & communications for the SE US • Became 1 of only 5 cities served by three separate interstate highways • Today, just over 50% of the state’s population lives in metropolitan Atlanta

Population • Rural areas lost population after WWII – Many moved to other states – Many moved to the city

Agriculture • After WWII there was a decrease in the number of farmers & farms in Georgia – Due to WWII GA’s economy diversifies into more industry – More and higher paying jobs available in urban areas – Improved farm machinery requires fewer workers – Development of synthetics require less cotton production

Agriculture • New Crops – – – – Peanuts Soybeans Tobacco Corn Wheat Pecans Peaches • Other farm products – Poultry produces the most revenue today – Livestock – Demand to produce pulp for paper led to many farmers becoming tree farmers

William Hartsfield • Atlanta Mayor from 1937 -1961 (6 terms) • Know for aviation because he worked to make Atlanta the air hub of the south • Worked to improve civil rights – Worked with local African American leaders to integrated lunch counters – Worked on voter registration drives – Hired African American police officers

Ivan Allen Jr. • Helped Atlanta become known as a racially tolerant city by working with Dr. Martin Luther King. • Removed “colored” and “white” signs in Atlanta’s City Hall • Expanded the roles of African Americans for managerial jobs in police dept • Integrated the Atlanta fire dept • Brought professional sports to Atlanta: Braves, Falcons & Hawks to improve Atlanta’s reputation as a major American city.

Ellis Arnall • First GA governor to serve a 4 yr term • Made Georgia the first state to grant voting rights to 18 year olds • Restored accreditation to Georgia’s colleges and universities • Established the Board of Corrections for the GA prison system