SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME

Transcription

1 SOUTH CAROLINA HALL OF FAME Teacher Guide

2 South Carolina Social Studies Standards Early 20th Century - World War I, The Twenties, The Depression, Out of the Depression and WWII - Late 20th and Early 21st Centuries - A New Economic Landscape Topics include - WWI, War Birds, The Depression, WWII, Finished textile goods, Propaganda advertisements Standard 3-5: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the major developments in South Carolina in the late nineteenth and the twentieth century Summarize the social and economic impact of developments in agriculture, industry and technology, including the creation of Jim Crow laws, the rise and fall of textile markets, and the expansion of the railroad Explain the effects of the Great Depression on daily life in South Carolina, including the widespread poverty and unemployment and the efforts of the federal government to create jobs through a variety of New Deal programs Summarize the social and economic impact of World War II and the Cold War on South Carolina, including the end of the Great Depression, improvements in modern conveniences, increased opportunities for women and African Americans, and the significance of the opening and eventual closing of military bases. Standard 5-4: The student will demonstrate an understanding of American economic challenges in the 1920s and 1930s and world conflict in the 1940s Summarize daily life in the post-world War I period of the 1920s, including improvements in the standard of living, transportation, and entertainment; the impact of the Nineteenth Amendment, the Great Migration, the Harlem REnaissance, and Prohibition; and racial and ethnic conflict Summarize the causes of the Great Depression, including overproduction and declining purchasing power, the bursting of the stock market bubble in 1929, and the resulting unemployment, failed economic institutions; and the effects of the Dust Bowl. 2

3 Summarize the social and political impact of World War II on the American home front and the world, including opportunities for women and African Americans in the work place, the internment of the Japanese Americans, and the changes in national boundaries and governments. Standard 8-6: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the role of South Carolina in the nation in the early twentieth century Explain the reasons for United States involvement in World War I and the war's impact on South Carolina and the nation as a whole, including the building of new military bases and the economic impact of emigration to industrial jobs in the North Explain the reasons for depressed conditions in the textile mills and on farms in South Carolina and other regions of the United States in the 1920s and the impact of these conditions on the coming of the Great Depression Compare the ramifications of World War II on South Carolina and the United States as a whole, including the training of the Doolittle Raiders and the Tuskegee Airmen, the building of additional military bases, the rationing and bond drives, and the return of economic prosperity. Standard 8-7: The student will demonstrate an understanding of the impact on South Carolina of significant events of the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries Compare the social and economic impact of World War II and the Cold War on South Carolina with its impact on the rest of the United States, including the increases in the birth rate; the emergence of the consumer culture; the expanding suburbanization, highway construction, tourism and economic development; the continuing growth of military bases and nuclear power facilities; and the increases in educational opportunities Summarize key economic issues in present-day South Carolina, including the decline of the textile industry, the state's continuing right-to-work status, the changes in agricultural emphasis, the growing globalization and foreign investment, the influx of immigrants and migrants into the Sunbelt, the increased protection of the environment, the expanding number of cultural offerings, and the changes in tax policy. 3

4 S.C. Hall of Fame Biography was a major influence in the textile industry and in the industrial development of South Carolina in the 20th century. Born in Lancaster, South Carolina, he flew as a pilot in the Royal Flying Corps in World War I and shot down 11 German planes, qualifying him as one of the top American aces of the war. He turned his war experiences into a number of short stories and articles, and his book, Warbirds: the Diary of an Unknown Aviator is considered the most important writing about World War I aviation ever produced. Assuming leadership of Springs Cotton Mills in 1931, he greatly expanded and upgraded the mills, making them one of the most successful textile organizations in the Southeast. The company contributed significant amounts of fabric and other goods to the American war effort in World War II. He was responsible for a controversial but effective advertising campaign for Springmaid sheets and other products that helped to make Springs Mills a household name throughout the country after the war. 4

5 Transcript was the son of Fort Mill textile magnate Leroy Springs. Young Elliott progressed through Culver Military Academy, Princeton University, and soon found himself buzzing over France in an open cockpit fighting Germans during World War One. By the end of the war, he was the highly decorated fifth ranked U.S. World War One Flying Ace. Elliott had a tempestuous relationship with his father, which served to motivate him toward success, on his own terms! [Ann speaks] After the war, Springs authored a bestselling memoir based on the letters of a fallen comrade, War Birds: Diary of an Unknown Aviator. He spent the 1920 s in New York City writing stories for the posh literary magazines of the Jazz Age. He occasionally barnstormed down South flying under bridges and so forth. But Leroy Springs finally convinced his son to come home and learn the textile business. Unfortunately, the Depression was in full swing by the time Elliott took the reins of the company from his father. Springs Mills had a new boss, with lots of challenges to face. [Elizabeth speaks] Elliott continued to make and store cloth during the 1930 s. It all paid off when World War Two was declared, and there was suddenly a huge demand for his product. Springs served with the Army Air Corps and was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. 5

6 When the war ended, Colonel Springs made the decision to manufacture finished goods. He built a huge bleachery in Lancaster to make sheets and pillowcases and established a selling house in New York. But the bombshell in the Colonel s post-war strategy was the style of advertising he chose to present Springmaid sheets to the country. [ Miss Springmaid excerpt Early ads] The risqué ad campaign was unlike anything seen before or since and proved to be very controversial and very successful. Whether they were saying something good or bad, everyone was talking about Springmaid sheets! [Humorous letter] Springs Mills was breaking records each year selling sheets, pillowcases and apparel fabrics. Colonel Springs combined his love for his employees with his playful imagination sponsoring Miss Springmaid competitions which resulted in luxurious trips to New York City for the winners. His innovative magazine advertisements continued well into the fifties involving satire, puns, and double entendres and featuring celebrities such as Gypsy Rose Lee. When he died in 1959, the controversial ads ceased. [Obituary] [Bernie comments] With the passing of Colonel Springs, Springs Mills entered a new era, and continued to prosper for decades. 6

7 Credits South Carolina Social Studies Standard Correlations were provided by Lisa Ray The purpose of the South Carolina Hall of Fame is to recognize and honor both contemporary and past citizens who have made outstanding contributions to South Carolina's heritage and progress. Funding for Knowitall.org was provided by the S. C. General Assembly through the K-12 Technology Initiative. Visit scetv.org/education for more educational resources. 7