U.S.A 1919 - 1941: Isolationism and Policies
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Questions and Answers

Why did many Americans believe the U.S. should return to normalcy after World War I?

  • They were tired of being involved in international affairs. (correct)
  • They wanted to focus on domestic issues and avoid further conflict. (correct)
  • They believed that Europe was in need of U.S. assistance.
  • They had experienced significant economic growth during the war.

What was the main problem with the U.S.'s policy of isolationism after World War I?

It led to a rise in protectionist policies, such as tariffs, which ultimately hurt the American economy.

What was the purpose of the Immigration Quota Act of 1921?

To limit the number of immigrants entering the United States and to favor certain ethnic groups over others.

The "roaring twenties" signified a period of economic prosperity for all Americans.

<p>False (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main goal of President Roosevelt's New Deal?

<p>To provide relief for the unemployed and to address the economic hardship caused by the Great Depression.</p> Signup and view all the answers

What was the main reason the Supreme Court declared many of Roosevelt's New Deal programs unconstitutional?

<p>The programs were believed to be an overreach of federal power and interfered with the rights of individual states.</p> Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

Isolationism

A policy of non-intervention in international affairs. This was a popular sentiment in the US after WWI, as many Americans were tired of war and foreign entanglements.

Tariffs

A tax imposed on imported goods. This was used to protect American businesses from competition from abroad.

Immigration Restrictions

The practice of limiting the number of immigrants allowed into a country. This was a key part of the US government's policy after WWI, as it was feared that immigrants would take jobs and lower wages.

The Roaring Twenties

A period of rapid economic growth and social change in the US between 1920 and 1929. It was characterized by new technologies, increased consumerism, and a changing culture.

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Jazz Music

A type of music that originated in African American communities and became popular nationwide in the 1920s. It was characterized by its syncopated rhythms and improvisational nature.

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Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement that emerged in African American communities in the 1920s. It was characterized by a sense of pride in Black culture, a desire for equality, and a flourishing of artistic expression.

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Prohibition

A constitutional amendment that banned the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages in the US. It was passed in 1919 and repealed in 1933.

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Organized Crime

Organized criminal gangs that emerged during Prohibition to control the illegal production and distribution of alcohol. They were known for their violence and corruption.

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The Great Depression

A severe economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s. It was characterized by widespread unemployment, poverty, and bank failures.

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Speculation

The purchase and sale of stocks with the hope of making a quick profit. This practice was widespread in the 1920s, and it contributed to the stock market crash of 1929.

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The Stock Market Crash of 1929

A sudden and drastic drop in stock prices, which occurred on October 29, 1929. It is considered the beginning of the Great Depression.

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The New Deal

A series of programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s to address the Great Depression. The New Deal aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform for the American economy.

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The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A program created by the New Deal to provide work for unemployed young men. It involved conservation projects such as forestry, land clearing, and flood control.

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The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

A program created by the New Deal to provide relief to the poor during the Great Depression. It provided food, clothing, and shelter to those in need.

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The Public Works Administration (PWA)

A program created by the New Deal to provide funding for public works projects, such as schools, roads, and bridges. It aimed to create jobs and stimulate the economy.

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The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)

A program created by the New Deal to help farmers during the Great Depression. It paid farmers to reduce their production, in order to raise crop prices.

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The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)

A program created by the New Deal to encourage industrial recovery. It set standards for wages, hours, and child labor, and it promoted cooperation between businesses and the government.

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The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

A program created by the New Deal to develop the Tennessee Valley region. It involved projects such as dam construction, flood control, and electrification, with the goal of promoting economic development and social progress.

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The Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC)

A program created by the New Deal to provide financial assistance to homeowners to prevent foreclosures during the Great Depression.

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Fireside Chats

A series of radio addresses given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the American people during the Great Depression. He explained his policies and reassured the public.

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The Social Security Act of 1935

A law passed by Congress in 1935 that established a system of social insurance for retirement, unemployment, and disability benefits. It is considered one of the most important achievements of the New Deal.

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The Wagner Act of 1935

A law passed by Congress in 1935 that guaranteed the right of workers to form unions and engage in collective bargaining. It also established the National Labor Relations Board to oversee labor-management relations.

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The Works Progress Administration (WPA)

A program created by the New Deal to provide long-term work opportunities for unemployed Americans. It involved a wide range of projects, including construction, arts, and education.

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Post-War Economic Boom

The economic recovery that occurred in the US after World War II. The war boosted industrial production, created jobs, and stimulated economic growth.

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Rugged Individualism

A political term used to describe conservative policies that emphasize individualism, self-reliance, and limited government intervention in the economy.

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Laissez-Faire Economics

A belief that the government should not interfere in the free market and that private enterprise should be allowed to operate without regulation.

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Buying on Margin

A term used to describe the practice of buying and selling stocks or commodities with the hope of making a quick profit, often using borrowed money. This can lead to speculation, volatility, and instability in the market.

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Concentration of Wealth

A term used to describe a situation where a small number of individuals or companies control a large amount of wealth or resources, resulting in significant inequality and disparities in opportunity.

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Overproduction

An unsustainable economic situation where the supply of goods or services exceeds the demand, leading to lower prices, reduced profits, and potential economic recession.

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Interventionist Economics

A belief that the government should play a direct role in regulating the economy, providing social welfare programs, and creating a more equitable society.

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Recession

A term used to describe a period of economic downturn characterized by high unemployment, decreased production, and low consumer spending.

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Study Notes

U.S.A 1919 - 1941: After the War

  • Isolationism: The U.S. viewed itself as a "New World" separate from Europe. They didn't want to get involved in European affairs.
  • Financial reasons: Europeans had fled to the U.S. The U.S. didn't want to spend money aiding Europe after World War I.
  • American Soldiers: Approximately 115,000 American soldiers died in World War I.
  • German Immigrants: German immigrants faced issues with the U.S.'s involvement in the Treaty of Peace after the war.
  • Empires: The U.S. didn't want to be involved with empires, they believed in national self-determination.

Results of Isolationism

  • Tariffs: The U.S. implemented tariffs to protect their own industries by making imported goods more expensive than domestic products. Europeans retaliated.
  • Immigration: Immigration quotas limited immigration from certain areas and required immigrants to pass literacy tests. This benefited WASPs.

Economic Boom!

  • World War I Impact: The U.S. benefited from supplying goods and services to European countries involved in the war.
  • Republican Policies: Low taxes and minimal government intervention in business practices encouraged business growth.
  • Consumer Boom: Consumer spending increased significantly, fueled by new technologies such as the production assembly line, and consumer goods like automobiles and appliances.
  • Innovation in Production: Innovation in factory production methods – the assembly line, greatly increased efficiency and lowered costs for cars..
  • Synthetic Materials: The development and mass production of synthetic materials like plastics, such as Bakelite, were crucial for the boom.

The Roaring Twenties

  • Film: Movie stars like Clara Bow became popular icons.
  • Jazz Music: Jazzy music performed in speakeasies became popular.
  • Dance: Dances like the Charleston became popular.
  • Women's Movements: Many women entered the workforce. Women gained the right to vote in 1920. -Significant changes for women in the 1920s include gaining the vote (1920), entering the workforce, and evolving fashion and culture. However, women working in the 1920’s took lower-paying jobs.

Racism

  • Hostility to Immigrants: The U.S. demonstrated hostility towards immigrants.
  • Segregation: Segregation was rampant leading up to World War II. This included lynchings of Black Americans that were not punished.
  • White Supremacy: There were significant organizations that promoted white supremacy like the KKK.
  • Jim Crow Laws: These laws enforced racial segregation in the South.
  • Lynching: White people often lynched Black or Brown people falsely accused of crimes.

Prohibition

  • Campaigners: Campaigners like the Anti-Saloon League led the charge to ban alcohol.
  • Moral Concerns: Alcohol was blamed for problems such as crime, poverty, and illness.
  • Financial Concerns: A portion of the U.S. wanted to stop brewing in Germany, and also wanted control over what foreign countries did.
  • Failure and Damage: Prohibition led to criminal activity, such as speakeasies, bootlegging, and organized crime.

The Wall Street Crash

  • Long-Term Causes: Agricultural depression, older industry woes, widening gap between the wealthy and the poor were factors.
  • Short-Term Causes: Speculation, over-confidence, stock market volatility and risky financial practices fueled the crash.

Immediate Effects

  • Bankruptcies: People, banks, and companies went bankrupt after the collapse.
  • Unemployment: High unemployment resulted as businesses failed and production decreased.
  • Poverty: Increased poverty impacted all parts of society including loss of homes and decreased ability to pay mortgages amongst many citizens.

Hoover's Reaction

  • Rugged Individualism: Hoover believed in a more hands-off approach to the economy, focusing on individuals' self-reliance.
  • Actions: Hoover created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to provide financial aid to banks, industrial & agricultural growth.

The New Deal

  • Roosevelt's Election: Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president in 1933 and created the New Deal programs to combat the depression.
  • Legislation and Actions: New Deal programs like Emergency Banking Act, Securities Exchange Act, and the Civilian Conservation Corps focused on alleviating poverty and unemployment

Assessing the New Deal

  • Weaknesses: Some programs were temporary, didn't help everyone, and faced political opposition. Discrimination among certain groups persisted.
  • Successes: The New Deal programs did help alleviate economic hardship as well as provided relief. Provided jobs, infrastructure, and basic necessities for large segments of society.

Additional Information

  • Women: Women struggled with social and economic inequalities. Discrimination and limited opportunities during the era contributed to struggles for many.
  • World Economy: The overall global economic situation during this time also played a substantial part.

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Explore the key concepts of isolationism in the U.S. after World War I, and understand how financial reasons and the impact of American soldiers influenced national policies. This quiz covers tariffs, immigration quotas, and the economic boom leading up to World War II.

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