Podcast
Questions and Answers
What significant event is marked by the date October 29, 1929?
What significant event is marked by the date October 29, 1929?
Which of the following was a direct effect of the stock market collapse?
Which of the following was a direct effect of the stock market collapse?
What philosophy characterized Hoover's response to the economic crisis?
What philosophy characterized Hoover's response to the economic crisis?
What was one outcome for farmers as a result of the economic conditions during the Great Depression?
What was one outcome for farmers as a result of the economic conditions during the Great Depression?
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What was the purpose of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) established by Hoover?
What was the purpose of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) established by Hoover?
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What was a common phrase people used to express their disillusionment with Hoover?
What was a common phrase people used to express their disillusionment with Hoover?
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How did unemployment rates change by 1933?
How did unemployment rates change by 1933?
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What were shanty-towns created during the Depression commonly referred to as?
What were shanty-towns created during the Depression commonly referred to as?
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What cultural impact did the rise of movie stars have during this period?
What cultural impact did the rise of movie stars have during this period?
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What major change occurred for women between 1920 and 1929?
What major change occurred for women between 1920 and 1929?
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Which of the following best describes the flapper lifestyle?
Which of the following best describes the flapper lifestyle?
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What was the status of racial equality during this era?
What was the status of racial equality during this era?
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What societal response was evident against flappers?
What societal response was evident against flappers?
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What was a significant weakness of the New Deal programs?
What was a significant weakness of the New Deal programs?
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Which of the following organizations actively campaigned for prohibition?
Which of the following organizations actively campaigned for prohibition?
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What did the Harlem Renaissance signify during this period?
What did the Harlem Renaissance signify during this period?
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How did the government spending in 1937 affect the economy?
How did the government spending in 1937 affect the economy?
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How did the American government respond to racial violence such as lynching?
How did the American government respond to racial violence such as lynching?
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Which group was notably excluded from the benefits of the New Deal programs?
Which group was notably excluded from the benefits of the New Deal programs?
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What was one of the successes attributed to the New Deal?
What was one of the successes attributed to the New Deal?
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What role did World War II play in the economic situation of the USA?
What role did World War II play in the economic situation of the USA?
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What was the impact of the assembly line on car production from 1910 to 1920?
What was the impact of the assembly line on car production from 1910 to 1920?
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Which synthetic material was introduced first and played a role in industry?
Which synthetic material was introduced first and played a role in industry?
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What percentage of the population owned cars despite the boom in car ownership during the 1920s?
What percentage of the population owned cars despite the boom in car ownership during the 1920s?
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What was a significant consequence of the stock market's inaccessibility for many individuals?
What was a significant consequence of the stock market's inaccessibility for many individuals?
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Which group faced economic struggles due to the overproduction of goods in the 1920s?
Which group faced economic struggles due to the overproduction of goods in the 1920s?
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Which statement accurately describes the economic disparity of the 1920s?
Which statement accurately describes the economic disparity of the 1920s?
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What was a result of the growing reliance on technology during the 1920s?
What was a result of the growing reliance on technology during the 1920s?
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What was one of the reasons for the hard times faced by American farmers in the late 1920s?
What was one of the reasons for the hard times faced by American farmers in the late 1920s?
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What was a primary reason for the adoption of isolationism by the United States after World War I?
What was a primary reason for the adoption of isolationism by the United States after World War I?
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How did the Immigration Quota Act of 1921 impact immigrant demographics in the United States?
How did the Immigration Quota Act of 1921 impact immigrant demographics in the United States?
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Which action reflected the United States' policy of protectionism in the post-World War I period?
Which action reflected the United States' policy of protectionism in the post-World War I period?
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What was a significant consequence of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial?
What was a significant consequence of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial?
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What was one of the main purposes of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?
What was one of the main purposes of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?
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What was a notable aspect of American societal attitudes towards immigrants post-World War I?
What was a notable aspect of American societal attitudes towards immigrants post-World War I?
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How did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) impact the local economy?
How did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) impact the local economy?
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What economic trend characterized the United States during the period following World War I?
What economic trend characterized the United States during the period following World War I?
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What action did the Supreme Court take regarding the NIRA?
What action did the Supreme Court take regarding the NIRA?
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Which U.S. president ran on the slogan 'America First' and promised a return to normalcy?
Which U.S. president ran on the slogan 'America First' and promised a return to normalcy?
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Which economic issue was a primary concern addressed by the TVA?
Which economic issue was a primary concern addressed by the TVA?
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Which of the following statements best describes the U.S. economic stance immediately after World War I?
Which of the following statements best describes the U.S. economic stance immediately after World War I?
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What was a significant result of the National Recovery Administration's (NRA) efforts?
What was a significant result of the National Recovery Administration's (NRA) efforts?
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What types of projects did the TVA focus on?
What types of projects did the TVA focus on?
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What was one of the main hopes behind the policies implemented by the NRA?
What was one of the main hopes behind the policies implemented by the NRA?
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How did the NRA encourage consumer behavior?
How did the NRA encourage consumer behavior?
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Study Notes
U.S.A 1919 - 1941: After the War
- Isolationism was prevalent, with the U.S. viewing itself as a "New World" detached from Europe.
- Financial concerns regarding European aid were also a factor for isolationist policy as there was no desire to waste resources aiding Europe.
- There were over 115,000 American casualties in World War I, creating resentment toward American involvement in the war's outcomes.
- German immigrants were part of the U.S. population but experienced resentment regarding the treaty of America's war involvement.
- The U.S. had a history of being a colony, and there was a prevalent distaste of imperialism, although this notion was not eradicated.
- Wilson lost the 1920 presidential election to Harding primarily due to the aforementioned isolationist sentiments. Harding's campaign slogan was "America First," aiming for a renewed normalcy.
Results of Isolationism
- Tariffs: Protective tariffs were implemented to make European imports more expensive than American goods which led to Europeans also introducing retaliatory tariffs. Consequently, trade with Europe significantly decreased.
- Immigration: There was a decreased influx of European immigrants; the U.S. favoured immigration quotas, limiting the number of newcomers coming from Southern and Eastern Europe. The new immigrants were viewed as differing from the desired population, and there were concerns regarding communism and cheap labor competition. The Immigration Law of 1917 required immigrants to pass a literacy test. The Immigration Quota Act of 1921 limited immigration to 357,000 per year, favoring WASPs (White Anglo-Saxon Protestants).
Economic Boom!
- The U.S. profited greatly from World War I, securing arms and material supply contracts.
- Republican policies emphasized low taxes and minimal government intervention, fostering business growth and prosperity.
- Consumer demand boomed driven by innovative production methods, such as the assembly line, especially in the automobile industry, and cost savings.
- The production of synthetic materials like Bakelite also contributed substantially to the growing economy.
- Increased car ownership resulted in demand for infrastructure and related industries including oil, steel, glass, and more.
- Growth was also seen in the communication sectors of broadcasting and telephony.
Economic Concerns
- Farmers: Overproduction led to agricultural price drops, and farming income was significantly lower than the national average.
- Low Wages: Despite the prosperity of the 1920s, a significant portion of the U.S. population suffered from low wages, which made access to luxuries like cars difficult.
- Old Industries: Industries like coal faced difficulties due to overproduction and resulting price decline, impacting job markets and income.
- Racial Disparities: African Americans predominantly found menial jobs with the lowest wages, which were concentrated in segregated neighborhoods, called ghettos.
- Monopolies and Cartels: Powerful monopolies and cartels often controlled industries, maintaining high prices and suppressing wages.
- Unemployment: Technological advancements led to job losses in some sectors, especially those in older industries. Between 1920 and the 1930s there was substantial unemployment and a growing number of people struggling to survive.
The Roaring Twenties
- Film and Entertainment: The rise of the movie industry and the emergence of stars like Clara Bow, and Charlie Chaplin became prevalent sources of fashion and cultural influence.
- Jazz and Dance: Emerging jazz music and dance styles, like the Charleston, became popular cultural phenomena.
- Women's Rights: Significant change in women's roles with a growing number of women entering professions predominantly held by men. Women's suffrage (right to vote) became a reality. The "flappers" are the popular symbols of the new women, breaking social norms through mannerisms like short hair, short skirts, and unconventional dancing.
Racism and Discrimination
- Hostility to Immigrants: The U.S. displayed hostility towards immigrants, often with a distrust and lack of support.
- Jim Crow Laws: Segregation laws remained in place in many regions of the U.S. and were not adequately challenged or addressed.
- KKK: The Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist organization, saw a resurgence and wielded significant influence on politics and society.
- Lynching: The practice of lynching (extrajudicial killing) continued against African Americans.
Prohibition
- Why: Campaigners like the Anti-Saloon League blamed societal problems on alcohol, which led to the U.S. enacting Prohibition. World War I and Germany's brewing industry were also contributing factors.
- Failure: Prohibition proved difficult to enforce which led to the rise of organised crime which flourished off of supplying illegal alcohol.
The Wall Street Crash
- Long-Term Causes: Economic weaknesses, significant wealth inequality, and overproduction were major long-term factors contributing to the eventual crash.
- Short-Term Causes: Speculative investment and buying stocks on credit were key short-term factors, causing instability. High-volume insider trading also increased speculation.
Immediate Effects of the Crash
- The Wall Street Crash of 1929 had widespread, devastating impacts, sending many into bankruptcy, and resulting in significant economic hardship.
- Banks and businesses failed due to decreased deposits and loans.
- Unemployment rates sharply rose as people lost their jobs following business closures.
The New Deal
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the U.S. presidency in 1933 promising a "new deal".
- This involved a substantial set of legislations and programs aimed at providing relief to the struggling economy.
- The legislation was designed to combat the economic problems of the Depression, with a focus on infrastructure, banking recovery, and job creation.
- Opposition to the New Deal came largely from business leaders and certain political figures and factions.
- The Supreme Court ruled certain New Deal initiatives unconstitutional.
Assessing the New Deal
- Weaknesses: The New Deal had limitations with some of the proposed initiatives proving to be temporary in nature and only providing short-term alleviation from the economic issues. Some programs offered support to the younger demographic and individuals who were recently unemployed.
- Successes: The New Deal helped to restructure the American economy; established confidence in the banking system, promoted societal and industrial reforms that provided support for a significant portion of the population, and prevented the escalation of political radicalization. Unemployemnt and hardship were lessened with the implementation of the programs.
Other Issues
- Women: Women continued to experience discrimination, frequently being excluded from social security and government aid programs.
- Overall: The world economy did not improve significantly.
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Description
Test your knowledge of key events and responses during the Great Depression, including the stock market collapse of 1929. This quiz covers the significant economic philosophies and outcomes during Hoover's presidency. Engage with questions about the challenges faced by farmers and the impact on unemployment rates.
