ABOUT ATLANTA: FOUR IMPORTANT THINGS

Atlanta, located south of the Mason-Dixon line, is often referred to as "South of the North, yet North of the South." Despite its close links to the rest of the South in politics, religion, and history, the city has occasionally exhibited "unsouthern orientation and behavior." To describe Atlanta, it is essential to consider four crucial variables: its origins, its current behavior, and its unique characteristics. Atlanta is home to many attractions and mouthwatering dining options, and cheap DTW flights from Detroit to Atlanta make it easy to visit.

AGE

Atlanta, established in 1837, was the latest area of Georgia colonized by non-Native Americans, more than a century after Savannah. The city's relatively young age may explain its lack of a well-established nobility, with some pioneer families in the 1830s. Most powerful families moved later, welcoming the nouveau riche. Atlanta's age also contributed to the lack of 19th-century structures, but Sherman did not destroy all of them.

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AUTOMOBILES, PLANES, AND TRAIN

Atlanta, founded by railroads, is closely related to its history. The town of Atlanta, known as "Terminus," grew near the Western and Atlantic, a new state rail line, in 1837. The development of transportation is closely linked to Atlanta's beginnings and history.

Atlanta, a regional transportation hub, developed rail links to various locations in and outside the South. Railroad men and merchants, with business interests and connections beyond the South, were the real power players in pre-Civil War Atlanta. This may explain why the majority of Atlantans in 1860 supported unionist candidates, rather than secessionist candidates. The W&A in the city's center connected with other rail lines.

Atlanta's development and growth were significantly influenced by automobiles, leading to the construction of viaducts in downtown Atlanta to raise roads over railway tracks. This reduced congestion and accidents, as seen in Underground Atlanta. Automobiles also enabled the development of superhighways, the exodus of upper and middle-class people from the city center to early suburbs, and the nation's longest average commute time.

Atlanta's aviation links began in the 1920s with Delta and Eastern Airlines establishing headquarters at Hartsfield International Airport. By World War II, Atlanta's airport was running out, and Hartsfield-Jackson became the second-busiest in the country. The city's growing domestic and international aviation links and the convention and tourism sector contributed to its global importance. Today, Hartsfield-Jackson remains a major hub for domestic and international airlines, forming the proverb "To get to heaven or hell, you have to go through Hartsfield-Jackson."

RACE

Atlanta, a Southern city, has distinct race relations due to its proximity to slaves and slave sale houses during the antebellum era. White officials, including Henry Grady, believed in white supremacy and the need to maintain unequal relations. Atlanta also served as the "Imperial City" for the Ku Klux Klan in the 1920s and was the site of a deadly racial riot in the early 20th century.

Atlanta, a racially enlightened southern metropolis, has been influenced by organizations like the Committee on Interracial Cooperation, Southern Women for the Prevention of Lynching, the Southern Regional Council, and the Southern Christian Leadership Conference. The peaceful desegregation of city schools, the slogan "The City Too Busy to Hate," and Mayor Ivan Allen's support of the Equal Accommodations Act during the 1960s contributed to Atlanta's reputation as a racially enlightened city.

Atlanta, a segregated city, has experienced a decline in traditional barriers to desegregation due to the influx of white people, black suburbanization, and new ethnic, immigrant, and refugee groups. Despite this, the racial divide between the city and suburb is beginning to erode. In the 1990 and 2000 censuses, Atlanta was the second-most segregated city in the US in terms of black-white housing patterns, ranking first in Georgia.

THE ATLANTA SPIRIT

Atlanta's history and growth are influenced by the "Atlanta Spirit," a unique boosterism practiced by the city. Unlike other cities, Atlanta's political and commercial leaders create the city rather than merely promoting it. They use creative slogans and ludicrous assertions to emphasize the city's regional, national, and worldwide importance. For example, Atlanta began referring to itself as "The Gate City" despite being a small town outclassed by major port cities in the South. This unique approach to city practices and boosterism contributes to the city's unique character and growth. If you want to know more about Atlanta then book a flight from Detroit to Atlanta.