Question

Georgia and World War II
Georgia played a major role in providing training and materials for World War II. The state built many
training camps and bases. Airports were also built for training. The war produced many jobs and wartime
industries for the citizens. World War II occurred when Georgia was facing social, political, and economic
changes. The war moved the state from relying on rural income to being a more modern state. Fort
Benning in Columbus, Georgia would become the largest soldier training facility in the nation. Georgia
welcomed hundreds of thousands of soldiers for training. The largest economic impact came from
military facilities, the Bell Bomber plant, and the shipyards.
Georgia saw a major increase in the number of military facilities before and during the war. The
facilities trained many soldiers for a variety of jobs in the war. Warner Robins Base in Macon employed
over 12,000 civilians. The Navy trained pilots at bases in the state and built several airports in small towns
for the training. During World War II, Georgia had more military facilities built and operated than any other
state. Most of the major military bases built during World War II are still operating and provide jobs for
civilians.
The Bell Bomber Plant was constructed in Marietta, Georgia. The Bomber was important in the
allies wining the war. The plant employed over 28,000 Georgian residents. The population of Marietta
would almost triple in the next few years. This bomber plant was the largest industrial facility constructed
in the state. After the war, there was no longer the same need for this type of aircraft and the plant closed
until 1951. Lockheed Martin purchased the facility, and it began operating again in the construction of a
variety of airplanes. This facility provided jobs to civilians during the war and brought skilled and higher
paying jobs after the war.
Georgia would also prove to be a great place to build ships for the war effort. Savannah and
Brunswick both produced liberty ships in record numbers. The country needed these ships to transport
soldiers and goods to the war effort in Europe. The ships were 440 feet long and they produced a new ship
on average every 89 days. The two ports built 187 liberty ships during the war. The Savannah shipyard
employed 15,000 civilians. The JA Jones shipyard in Brunswick efficiently manufactured ships as well.
The towns in and surrounding Brunswick saw major economic growth from employment in the shipyards.
The production of military equipment in Georgia had a positive economic impact. The involvement
in behind-the-scenes production of military ships helped sustain Georgia economically during World War
II.
B



cause( why)
The Bell Bomber plant
was created.

Effect (what happened)

Answer 1

Effects of creating the Bell Bomber plant

- Employed over 28,000 Georgia residents (large wartime job creation).
- Caused Marietta’s population to almost triple in the following years (population boom/urban growth).
- Became the largest industrial facility in the state, boosting Georgia’s industrial capacity.
- Contributed important aircraft to the Allied war effort.
- Provided wartime economic stimulus and, after the plant’s postwar closure and 1951 sale to Lockheed Martin, led to renewed skilled, higher‑paying aerospace jobs and a lasting aerospace industry presence in the area.