Which Georgia restaurant owner sold axes to protesters and later became Governor of Georgia?

Which Georgia restaurant owner sold axes to protesters and later became Governor of Georgia?

• A. George Wallace
• B. Homer Thornberry
• C. Stanley Smith
• D. Lester Maddox

Answer: (D)

Lester Maddox is the figure described. He owned a Georgia restaurant, the Pickrick, and became famous for resisting desegregation—going so far as to sell axes to supporters to defend his stand. That controversial stance lifted him into the public sphere and helped propel him into state politics, eventually becoming Governor of Georgia. The other names don’t fit this Georgia restaurant-owner-to-governor path: George Wallace was a segregationist governor from Alabama, Homer Thornberry was a judge, and Stanley Smith isn’t the well-known Georgia restaurant owner tied to this story.

Lester Maddox is the figure described. He owned a Georgia restaurant, the Pickrick, and became famous for resisting desegregation—going so far as to sell axes to supporters to defend his stand. That controversial stance lifted him into the public sphere and helped propel him into state politics, eventually becoming Governor of Georgia. The other names don’t fit this Georgia restaurant-owner-to-governor path: George Wallace was a segregationist governor from Alabama, Homer Thornberry was a judge, and Stanley Smith isn’t the well-known Georgia restaurant owner tied to this story.