USA HISTORY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Sibley Commission found that 60% of Georgian’s wanted to end all state funding for public schools, rather than integrate. Sibley himself, however, believed continuing massive resistance would end poorly.

Detailed explanation-2: -In 1960, a commission was formed by Atlanta banker John Sibley that held public hearings to see how Georgians felt about integration. The Sibley Commission found that 2 out of 3 Georgians would rather see schools closed that integrated.

Detailed explanation-3: -The Sibley Commission recommended that local school systems be allowed to decide if they would act by a probable court order to integrate public schools or if they would close them. When Governor Vandiver ordered to close UGA because of forced integration, people changed their minds about closing down public schools.

Detailed explanation-4: -Reporters gather at Atlanta’s city hall on August 30, 1961, the day that the city’s schools were officially integrated. The recommendations of the Sibley Commission to the state legislature in 1960 contributed to the desegregation of schools across Georgia.

Detailed explanation-5: -The committee was charged with gauging public sentiment regarding school desegregation and reporting back to the governor. Atlanta businessman John Sibley was selected to lead this effort, and therefore the committee was often referred to as the Sibley Commission.