Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries Unit Interactive Notes

Twentieth and Twenty-First Centuries Unit Interactive Notes

• From an Agricultural to Industrial Virginia
• Important Virginians Impact the World
• Civil Rights Movement
• Famous Figures of Virginia in the 20th and 21st Centuries
• Virginia Advances

WORDS TO KNOW

A Lindwood Holton, Jr.
Arthur R. Ashe
Brown VS Board of Education
desegregation
George C. Marshall
Harry F. Byrd, Sr.
integration
L. Douglass Walker
Maggie L. Walker
Massive resistance
Oliver W. Hill, Sr.
rural
Separate but equal
urban
Woodrow Wilson

From an Agricultural to Industrial Virginia

Virginia’s economy changed during the early twentieth century. It became difficult to make money agriculturally because old systems of farming were no longer working and crop prices were low. Therefore, many people moved from ruralareas, or country land to urbanareas, or cities, for economic opportunities.

Virginia’s cities began to grow rapidly because of the technology developments in transportation, railroads, roads, and streetcars. Coal mining spurred the growth of Virginia’s towns and cities as people moved from the countryside to find jobs.

People have moved to Virginia from many other states and nations. During the 20th century, Northern Virginia experienced growth due to increases in the number of federal jobs located in the region. In the late 20th century and the early 21st century, Northern Virginia and the Coastal Plain (Tidewater) region have grown due to computer technology.

Important Virginians Impact the World

Two famous Virginians were important national and international leaders. They were Woodrow Wilson and George C. Marshall.

Woodrow Wilson was a 20th century president. He wrote a plan for world peace.

George C. Marshall was a military leader. He created an economic plan to ensure world peace.

Civil Rights Movement

After WWII, African Americans demanded civil rights, or rights of equality and freedom. They wanted desegregation, or the abolishment of racial segregation, and integration, or the full equality of all races in the use of public facilities, to occur. Due to the Civil Rights Movement, changes occurred in Virginia.

In order for segregation to end and integration to occur, the US Supreme Court ruled in 1954, in the Brown vs. Board of Education court case, that “separate, but equal” public schools were unconstitutional. Due to this court case, all public schools in Virginia and across the country were ordered to desegregate.

Virginia’s government did not like the idea of desegregation and generated a policy of Massive Resistance, which fought to resist the integration of schools. Some Virginia schools even closed so they wouldn’t have to integrate. Eventually, the policy of Massive Resistance failed and all of Virginia’s public schools were integrated.

Famous Figures of Virginiain the 20th and 21st Centuries

There were many contributions made to Virginia by people in the 20th and 21st centuries. These contributions brought about political, social, and/or economic changes that helped improve life for all Americans.

Maggie L. Walker was the first African American woman to establish and become a bank president in the United States.

Harry F. Byrd, Sr., as governor of Virginia, was known for a “Pay As You Go” policy, which would improve Virginia’s roads. He also modernized Virginia’s state government, making the government do a better job at accomplishing tasks, but using less money to do it. Unfortunately, Byrd is also known for leading a Massive Resistance Movement against the desegregation of public schools.

Oliver W. Hill, Sr., was a lawyer and civil rights leader who worked for equal rights of African Americans. He played a key role in the Brown vs. Board of Education decision.

Arthur R. Ashe was the first African American winner of a major men’s tennis singles championship. He was also an author and eloquent spokesperson for social change.

A. Linwood Holton, Jr., as governor of Virginia, promoted racial equality, and appointed more African Americans and women to positions in state government than previous governors.

L. Douglas Wilder, as governor of Virginia, was the first African American to be elected a state governor in the United States.

Virginia Advances

To this day, people migrate to Virginia due to advances in transportation, communications, and technology. Virginia industries also produce goods and services for the entire United States. These advances in transportation, communications, technology, and industries are causing Virginia to grow economically.

Virginia’s transportation system (highways, railroads, and air transportation) contribute to Virginia’s economic growth because they move raw materials to factories and finished products to markets. Virginia exports agricultural and manufactured products including tobacco, poultry, coal, and large ships.

Virginia has a large number of communications and other technology industries that contribute to Virginia’s economic growth because these industries provide jobs for Virginians and produce products for Virginians to use.

Tourism is a major part of Virginia’s industry because it brings visitors to Virginia. Once in Virginia, these visitors spend money, contributing to Virginia’s economic growth.

Since many federal workers live and/or work in Virginia, the federal government has a significant impact on Virginia’s economy because these federal workers pay taxes on their homes or for work. These taxes are paid to Virginia, which helps our economy grow.