American Society after the Second World War

When did the Great Depression occur?

1929-1939

What were the main immediate consequences of the Great Depression?

• Unemployment

• Poverty

• Business Closures

• Dust Bowl (dust storms destroying farmland + drought)

How did the Dust Bowl effect agriculture?

It destroyed farmland, caused crop failures, forced farm closures.

What social impacts did the Great Depression have on African-americans?

High unemployment and discrimination in jobs and aid.

What Social Impacts did the Great Depression have on women?

Jobs prioritised for men, so women struggled to find work.

How were families affected by the Great Depression?

Stress, housing loss, combining resources (sharing homes/funds to survive)

What was the New Deal?

Government programmes for relief (help), recovery (economic rebuilding), and reform (changing systems)

What did the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) do?

Employed young men in conservation projects (tree planting, park building, soil protection).

What did the Works Progress Administration (WPA) do?

Jobs building infrastructure (roads, bridges, schools, public buildings).

What did the Social Security Act do?

Provided old-age benefits (pensions), unemployment insurance (money if jobless), and aid to families.

How successful was the New Deal?

Created millions of jobs, reduced unemployment, established social safety net (government help for vulnerable people).

What were the limitations of the New Deal?

Unequal access for African Americans, racial discrimination persisted, not all social problems solved.

What lasting impacts did the New Deal have on the U.S.?

• Increased government role (in economy + welfare)

• Social safety net established

• Infrastructure development (roads, bridges, buildings)

• Strengthened labor rights (unions, worker protections)

• Banking reforms (more rules for banks to prevent collapse)