Questions and Answers
Holocaust The genocide of over 6 million Jews along with gypsies, homosexuals, and
political prisoners by Nazi Germany. Georgia Commission on the Holocaust brings awareness to
hate crimes
Lend-Lease Act An act that allowed the U.S. government to send billions of dollars in
supplies and military equipment to allied countries in exchange for U.S. rights in their military
bases
Liberty Ships U.S. cargo ships made during World War II. In all, 187 of these ships were
made in Georgia
Pearl Harbor U.S. enters World War II because of a surprise attack on the U.S. Naval base
in Hawaii by Japanese forces
Savannah and Brunswick Ship Yards Georgia's two deep water ports; during World War
II, 187 Liberty Ships were constructed there, which boosted the Georgia economy. Georgia
Congressman Carl Vinson brought the shipyards to Georgia
Warm Springs A Georgia city that was home to President Roosevelt's "Little White
House"; the site's warm water mineral springs were used as a rehabilitation center for polio
victims
,1946 Governors Race Also called the Three Governors Controversy; Due to the death of
the 1946 governor's race winner Eugene Talmadge and recent changes to the Georgia state
constitution, three men had a legitimate claim to the office; the matter was settled by the
Supreme Court and a special election in 1946
1956 State Flag A controversial flag that flew over Georgia from 1956-2001. The flag was
controversial due to the flag's prominent Confederate Battle emblem and symbolism of
segregation
Albany Movement An organized civil rights protest led by the Student Non-Violent
Coordinating Committee to desegregate the city of Albany, Georgia; failed attempt because many
protesters were arrested and jailed
Brown vs. Board of Education Supreme Court cases that struck down the policy of
separate but equal and mandated the desegregation of public schools
Civil Rights Act A federal legislation that forbade discrimination in the workforce on the
basis of race and sex in hiring, firing, and promotion
March on Washington A civil rights march led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to promote
jobs and freedom; the famous "I Have a Dream" speech helped to pass the Civil Rights Act and
Voting Rights Act
Sibley Commission An investigation by lawyer John Sibley to determine what should be
done about integration in the state; though 60% of Georgians claimed they would rather close the
, public schools than integrate, Sibley recommended that the local school systems desegregate
when they were ready
White Primary A tactic used by whites in Georgia to prevent blacks from voting in the
Democratic primary; because Georgia was a one party state, this prevented African-Americans
from having a voice in elections
1996 Olympic Games 1996 Olympic Games were awarded to Atlanta and the state of
Georgia; Georgia has benefited economically due to the games
Reapportionment Part of a Supreme Court ruling that mandated congressional districts
needed to be divided by population with each district having a roughly equal number of voters
Two Party System A democratic form of government where two major parties dominate
the political landscape
End of County Unit System A political policy that gave each county a certain number of
votes based on three categories (rural, town, or urban); system was ended because it violated the
"one man-one vote" doctrine and rural counties with less population had more voting power than
more populated urban counties
Hernando de Soto first European in Georgia; Spanish Conquistador who led an expedition
through the southeastern U.S. in search of gold; many Mississippian Indians died of disease and
violence