World War 2 (sep 1, 1939 – sep 2, 1945)

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The second world war left a lasting impact on the state of Georgia. It reshaped the economy, the population, and what role it played within the United States of America. The state of Georgia mobilized its troops after the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. The state, at the time, was known for its military training and wartime industries, so when the war came, over 300,000 Georgians served in the army. The bases in the state, such as Fort Benning in Columbus, Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, and the Naval Air Station in Atlanta, were constantly building and expanding over time. They were good for the state because they brought jobs, federal investments, and grew the overall state population which in turn fueled long-term growth and modernization.

Georgia became a major war production center while this was happening. The most well known was the Bell Aircraft in Marietta. It was responsible for producing B-29 bombers and employing thousand and thousands of workers, both women and african americans included. In Savannah and Brunswick, Liberty Ships were being built to sail troops and the necessary supplies overseas. These industrial sites changed Georgia greatly from being an agricultural economy to an economy with a growing manufacturing base. World War II created new job opportunities and pulled the state out of the repercussions from The Great Depression. Two influential people who aided in guiding Georgia through this transitional period were Governor Eurith “Ed” Rivers (1937–1941) and later Ellis Arnall (1943–1947).

The war also impacted Georgia's social structure. With the men being overseas, the women in Georgia entered the workforce in new and unexpected ways. They worked in factories, offices, and even worked on certain military bases. This unfortunately also highlighted the unjust inequalities taking places in the form of segregation. A lot of Georgians served in the military or took part in the “Double V” campaign. This entailed them fighting for victory abroad and civil rights at home. Their collective efforts laid the groundwork for the civil rights movement in the 1950’s and 1960’s. The growth and presence of these integrated war industries in many northern cities also encouraged African Americans to leave the state of Georgia in the second wave of the Great Migration.

World War 2 essentially helped move Georgia towards modernization and national relevance, changing the political and cultural atmosphere. Governor Ellis Arnall, who was a highly progressive Southern leader, played a role in reducing voter suppression and improving education. This signaled the change in a traditionally conservative state. The period after the war saw Georgia grow, as Atlanta began to rise and become a major commercial and transportation hub. Even though no actual war combat took place in Georgia, it was still reshaped economically, socially, and politically. The war set the stage for the dramatic changes of the mid-20th century.
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Sources:
https://www.georgiaencyclopedia.org/articles/history-archaeology/world-war-ii-in-georgia/
https://dp.la/exhibitions/home-front-world-war-ii
https://georgiastudies.gpb.org/c18-the-coming-of-world-war-2

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