The American Yawp Chapter 23 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What does 'Black Tuesday' refer to?

The day financial panic occurred

The stock market began its long precipitous fall (correct)

The start of the Great Depression

The day banks were closed

What were the deeper causes of the Depression?

Weak banking systems and public panic

What was the Smoot-Hawley Tariff?

An agreement between countries

A regulation on trade

The highest tariff in American history (correct)

A tax on exports

What were Federal Reserve actions during the Depression?

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What is Associationalism?

A system of voluntary action for economic assistance and services Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation?

Provided emergency loans to banks and private industries Signup and view all the answers

What were 'Hoovervilles'?

Makeshift towns, usually on the edge of cities Signup and view all the answers

Who made up the Bonus Army?

15,000 unemployed veterans and their families Signup and view all the answers

What caused the Dust Bowl?

Rolling winds churned the dust into massive storms Signup and view all the answers

Who was Dorothea Lange?

A photographer known for capturing the struggles of the Great Depression Signup and view all the answers

What were 'Okies'?

Westward migrants Signup and view all the answers

What was Franklin D. Roosevelt's role during the Depression?

President who addressed the economic crisis Signup and view all the answers

Who was Frances Perkins?

The nation's first female Secretary of Labor Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Brain Trust'?

A team of advisors, academics, and experts Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Bank Holiday?

To close American banks temporarily Signup and view all the answers

What did the Glass-Steagall Act accomplish?

Instituted federal deposit insurance Signup and view all the answers

What was the Agricultural Adjustment Act?

Aimed to raise prices of agricultural commodities Signup and view all the answers

What did the Civilian Conservation Corps do?

Put young men to work on conservation projects Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Works Progress Administration?

To put unemployed people to work on local projects Signup and view all the answers

What was the 'Share Our Wealth' program?

A program proposed by Huey Long Signup and view all the answers

Who was Francis Townsend?

A former doctor who promoted old age pensions Signup and view all the answers

What was the Second New Deal?

A series of programs aimed at economic recovery and social reforms Signup and view all the answers

What did the Wagner Act provide?

Federal legal protection for workers to organize unions Signup and view all the answers

What did the Social Security Act of 1935 establish?

Old-age pensions and unemployment insurance Signup and view all the answers

What was the significance of the Scottsboro Boys case?

A symbol of continuing racial prejudice and a rallying point for civil rights Signup and view all the answers

What was the Court-packing scheme proposed by Franklin D. Roosevelt?

Legislation to expand the Supreme Court Signup and view all the answers

What was the focus of John Steinbeck's 'Grapes of Wrath'?

The effects of the Great Depression on displaced populations Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of the Rural Electric Administration?

To bring electricity to rural households Signup and view all the answers

How did exclusionary measures impact Mexican immigrants during the Depression?

They were disproportionately affected and targeted for removal. 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.

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."

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.

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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.