Questions and Answers
What does 'Black Tuesday' refer to?
What were the deeper causes of the Depression?
Weak banking systems and public panic
What was the Smoot-Hawley Tariff?
What were Federal Reserve actions during the Depression?
Signup and view all the answers
What is Associationalism?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation?
Signup and view all the answers
What were 'Hoovervilles'?
Signup and view all the answers
Who made up the Bonus Army?
Signup and view all the answers
What caused the Dust Bowl?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Dorothea Lange?
Signup and view all the answers
What were 'Okies'?
Signup and view all the answers
What was Franklin D. Roosevelt's role during the Depression?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Frances Perkins?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the 'Brain Trust'?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the Bank Holiday?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Glass-Steagall Act accomplish?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the Agricultural Adjustment Act?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Civilian Conservation Corps do?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the Works Progress Administration?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the 'Share Our Wealth' program?
Signup and view all the answers
Who was Francis Townsend?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the Second New Deal?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Wagner Act provide?
Signup and view all the answers
What did the Social Security Act of 1935 establish?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the significance of the Scottsboro Boys case?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the Court-packing scheme proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the focus of John Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath'?
Signup and view all the answers
What was the purpose of the Rural Electric Administration?
Signup and view all the answers
How did exclusionary measures impact Mexican immigrants during the Depression?
Signup and view all the answers
Study Notes
Economic Impact of the Great Depression
- "Black Tuesday" marked the stock market's significant decline, signaling the onset of widespread economic crisis.
- Weak banking systems and pervasive public panic were fundamental causes of the Great Depression.
- The Smoot-Hawley Tariff imposed the highest tariffs in U.S. history, exacerbating economic woes.
Government Responses and Programs
- Federal Reserve actions were criticized for failing to stabilize the economy during the crisis.
- Associationalism aimed to promote voluntary cooperation among businesses, with the belief that it would encourage self-reliance and economic recovery.
- The Reconstruction Finance Corporation provided emergency loans to financial institutions, bypassing direct aid to struggling Americans.
- "Hoovervilles" emerged as makeshift towns for the displaced during the Depression.
Unemployment Relief Efforts
- The President's Organization for Unemployment Relief (POUR) faced overwhelming challenges as private charity systems collapsed under demand.
- The Bonus Army comprised 15,000 unemployed veterans demanding compensation for their service during the war.
Environmental and Social Challenges
- The Dust Bowl caused severe agricultural damage, leading to massive dust storms that devastated the economy and the livelihoods of farmers.
- Dorothea Lange captured the struggles of migrant families through poignant photography, highlighting their hardships and resilience.
Political Leadership and Change
- Franklin D. Roosevelt utilized progressive principles to combat the economic crisis, overseeing significant changes in policy.
- Frances Perkins became the first female Secretary of Labor, playing a crucial role in shaping labor policies.
- The "Brain Trust" was a group of advisors who influenced Roosevelt's approach to the Depression.
Legislative Measures and New Deal Programs
- The Bank Holiday temporarily closed banks to stabilize the financial system, followed by the Emergency Banking Act.
- The Glass-Steagall Act introduced federal deposit insurance and separated commercial from investment banking.
- The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) sought to raise farm income by incentivizing reduced production.
- The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) established the National Recovery Administration to coordinate prices and working conditions.
Job Creation Initiatives
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) focused on environmental projects, employing young men for public works.
- The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided jobs through local government projects, addressing high unemployment.
- The Public Works Administration (PWA) funded large-scale infrastructure projects to stimulate economic growth.
Controversial Figures and Ideas
- Huey Long's "Share Our Wealth" program resonated with those seeking economic justice amid the Depression.
- Francis Townsend advocated for old age pensions, highlighting the needs of the elderly population.
- Father Coughlin gained notoriety for inflammatory rhetoric against Roosevelt’s banking policies and promoted a new vision of "social justice."
Second New Deal and Social Security
- The Second New Deal resulted in a progressive federal income tax and new protections for workers organizing unions, including the Wagner Act.
- The Social Security Act of 1935 established social safety nets, providing pensions and unemployment insurance.
Racial and Migration Issues
- The Scottsboro Boys case symbolized racial injustices in America and became a pivotal civil rights issue.
- "Okies" characterized migrants fleeing the Dust Bowl in search of better opportunities, drastically reducing Oklahoma's population.
- Exclusionary practices targeted Mexican immigrants, amplifying the hardships faced by this community during the era.
Long-term Effects and Legacy
- The Court-packing scheme reflected Roosevelt's contentious relationship with the Supreme Court as he sought to expand its membership.
- John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" captured the plight of displaced families, illustrating the cultural impact of the Great Depression.
- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) aimed to modernize and revitalize the South through infrastructure and economic development initiatives.
Studying That Suits You
Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.
Description
Test your knowledge of key terms from Chapter 23 of The American Yawp. This quiz covers significant events and concepts related to the Great Depression, including Black Tuesday and the Smoot-Hawley Tariff. Use these flashcards to deepen your understanding of this pivotal period in American history.