The Progressive Era in Georgia

            The 19th Amendment that gave women the right to vote also took place under Hugh Dorsey’s administration. This started out west and moved eastward. Once New York took part in the movement it became a full blown national movement. Georgia attempted to grant women the right to vote several times but failed until 1919 when Atlanta finally granted them their right. At this time Atlanta and Waycross were the only cities in Georgia that allowed women to participate in government. When the 19th Amendment came down for ratification in June of 1919, Georgia was the first state to reject it. It was not until 1970 when Georgia ratified it which was fifty years after it was ratified nationally, but by this time it was only for symbolic reasons. Women could vote in Georgia by 1922 because of the women’s suffrage bill that was passed nationally granting it to them.

            Despite the goals of the Progressive Era nationally and in Georgia, it was contradicted by race relations. The Progressive Era was seen as for whites only and in fact, life got worse for African Americans during this time. Georgia in all attempts to be progressive still held on to some of its tradition southern democratic ideas. It was still in favor of one party politics, white supremacy, and home rule. Because of this Georgia did everything they could to keep the Republican Party out of the state government. Because there were not many republicans in Georgia besides blacks, Georgia focused on keeping them oppressed. The governors during this time with the exception of the last three held strong to their white supremacy heritage. They all supported the Jim Crow laws that established “separate but equal,” and advocated the white primaries based on it being a private organization. Race relations in Georgia can be seen best by the actions of Hoke Smith who, again, was the most progressive governor in Georgia. His support of voting restrictions and his accomplished attempts of strengthening them explains with no doubt that this reform movement was indeed not for blacks. The other main aspect of black oppression was the re-emergence of the Ku Klux Klan and their involvement in Politics and the increase in mob violence and lynching.

            By analyzing these methods of reform and recognizing the intentions of each Governor as they played out their roles during this Progressive Era, readers should now have an understanding of the evolution of legislation that moved Georgia away from its deprived economic state. The freedoms and opportunities that Georgians experience can now be appreciated because of the accomplishment of these goals. Now that readers have this understanding, this period of reform can also be appreciated.

[1] The Governor-Elect, The Atlanta Constitution, Nov. 4, 1890.

[2] Christopher C. Meyers, The Empire State of the South, Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 2008. 239.

[3]Miss Dortch Named, The Atlanta Constitution, Jan 6, 1895.

[4] Governor Issues a Proclamation, The Atlanta Constitution, Oct 20, 1900.

[5] “Educational Governor,” Name Given Joe Terrell, The Atlanta Constitution, Oct 7, 1906.

[6] Dewey Grantham, Hoke Smith and the Politics of the New South, Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana State University Press, 1958. 174.

[7] Course of Study for New Schools, The Atlanta Constitution, May 24th, 1907.

[8] Full Platform is Given Out by Joe Brown, The Atlanta Constitution, April 10, 1908.