US History: The New Deal, WWII, and Interwar Period

What was the impact of the New Deal on the Democratic Party?

It created a new coalition and introduced a new style of political outreach, including 'fireside chats' and ties with unions.

What was the unemployment rate at its worst during the Great Depression?

The unemployment rate peaked at 15% in 1933.

What were the limits of the New Deal?

It made limited progress on racial equality, established a modest welfare state compared to Europe, and did not end the Depression.

What event is credited with ending the Great Depression?

World War II.

What was FDR's focus by the late 1930s?

He began turning his attention away from the New Deal and towards foreign affairs due to the rise of dictators.

Who were the main dictators that emerged in the 1930s?

Adolf Hitler in Germany, Benito Mussolini in Italy, and Joseph Stalin in the Soviet Union.

What were the origins of World War II?

Dissatisfaction with the WWI peace settlement, the Great Depression undermining liberal democracy, and the rise of fascism and militarism.

What did Benito Mussolini establish in Italy?

A fascist regime in 1922, arguing that capitalism had failed.

What was Japan's military aggression in the 1930s?

Japan expanded into East Asia and sought an empire in Asia/the Pacific, particularly after 1931.

What was Adolf Hitler's goal as dictator of Germany?

To undo the WWI peace settlement, dominate Europe, and combat an imagined global Jewish/Marxist conspiracy.

What was the League of Nations' role regarding aggression in the 1930s?

It was supposed to stop aggression, such as Italy's invasion of Ethiopia in 1935.

What was the American public's stance on entering WWII?

Most Americans believed the Nazis were bad but were against going to war, influenced by anti-interventionalism.

Who was Charles Lindbergh and what movement did he support?

He was a prominent figure in the 'America First' movement, advocating against US involvement in WWII.

What significant event occurred on December 7, 1941?

The Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor.

What was the Blitz?

Germany's campaign to bomb the UK into submission during WWII.

How did the US initially support the Allies before formally entering WWII?

Through Lend-Lease and joining an undeclared naval war against Germany.

What was the outcome of Germany's invasion of the USSR in 1941?

Germany controlled most of Europe at that time.

What was the Lend-Lease program?

A U.S. program to provide aid to the UK and other Allies during WWII without formally declaring war.

What was the significance of the high point of Japanese advance in 1942?

It marked Japanese territorial expansion from parts of China to Indonesia and New Guinea.

How did the U.S. contribute to the war effort economically during WWII?

The U.S. had significant industrial strength, producing more oil than all other countries combined and experiencing rapid economic growth.

What was the role of women in the war industry?

Women, symbolized by 'Rosie the Riveter,' worked in manufacturing, particularly in aircraft production, but many were fired after the war.

What was the Manhattan Project?

A U.S. research project that developed the atomic bomb, costing billions of dollars.

What were the outcomes of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?

Approximately 150,000 people were killed as a result of the atomic bombings in August 1945.

What was Operation Overlord?

The Allied invasion of France, commonly known as D-Day, which took place in June 1944.

What was the Holocaust?

The genocide orchestrated by the Nazi regime, resulting in the deaths of roughly 6 million Jews and other targeted groups.

What was Executive Order 8802?

An order issued in June 1941 that banned racial discrimination in the defense industry.

What was the Bracero Project?

A program initiated in 1942 that allowed Mexican workers to enter the U.S. temporarily for agricultural work.

What were the 'Zoot Suit Riots'?

Violent clashes in Los Angeles in 1943 between white servicemen and Mexican-American youths over cultural attire.

What was the impact of wartime racial tensions in the U.S.?

Urban rioting occurred as black workers moved into white neighborhoods, leading to violence and conflict.

What was the significance of the Battle of Stalingrad?

It was a turning point on the Eastern Front, resulting in significant Soviet casualties and marking the decline of Nazi advances.

What was the U.S. military's use of Native American 'Code Talkers'?

Native Americans were used to create unbreakable codes during WWII to secure military communications.

What was the outcome of the Korematsu v. U.S. case?

The Supreme Court upheld the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII under Executive Order 9066.

What was the economic impact of WWII on the U.S. government?

The government ran half of the economy, with massive increases in spending and tax rates over 90%.

What was the significance of the U.S. bombing campaign against Germany?

It aimed to weaken German industrial capacity and morale, contributing to the overall Allied victory.

How many combined military and civilian deaths were there in WWII?

Approximately 25 million in the USSR, 15 million in China, and 7 million in Germany, among others.

What were Japanese internment camps during World War II?

Camps where all Japanese Americans were forced to leave the west coast due to fears they would aid the Japanese military.

What was the significance of the attack on Hiroshima in 1945?

It marked a pivotal moment in World War II, showcasing the destructive power of atomic weapons.

What was the outcome for the United States after World War II?

The US emerged as a world superpower, economically dominant, with a strong military and nuclear arsenal.

What was the Potsdam Conference?

A meeting in July 1945 where Truman and Stalin discussed post-war Europe and their alliance, which began to deteriorate.

What did Churchill mean by the 'Iron Curtain' speech?

It referred to the division of Europe into Western democratic capitalism and Eastern Soviet communism.

What were Truman's 'Fair Deal' proposals?

A series of proposals aimed at expanding the New Deal, including national health insurance and civil rights initiatives, though many were defeated in Congress.

How did the US and USSR view each other ideologically after World War II?

The US viewed the USSR as a threat with a repressive regime, while the USSR saw the US as a capitalist country with social injustices.

What was the US strategy of 'containment' during the Cold War?

Aimed to prevent the spread of communism without direct military confrontation.

What was the significance of the Korean War (1950-1953)?

It was a conflict that exemplified the Cold War tensions and the US's commitment to containing communism.

Who was Senator Joseph McCarthy and what was his role during the Cold War?

He claimed to uncover a communist infiltration of the US government, leading to widespread accusations and fear without substantial evidence.

What was the Atlantic Charter?

A declaration made in August 1941 that outlined the goals for the post-war world, including self-determination and free trade.

What was the Lend-Lease Act of 1941?

An agreement to supply Allied nations with military aid, effectively ending US neutrality in the war.

What was the impact of the military draft during World War II?

Approximately 50 million American men were registered, with 10 million serving in the military.

What role did Native Americans play in World War II?

Many served as code talkers, using their languages to transmit secure messages.

What was the significance of the term 'unconditional surrender' in World War II?

It was the objective stated by Roosevelt for the Axis Powers, indicating that they must be completely defeated.

What were the economic conditions in the US during World War II?

The US economy grew, with significant increases in aircraft production and a drop in unemployment rates.

How did employment change for women during World War II?

Women entered the workforce in large numbers, taking on roles traditionally held by men, although they were often paid less.

What was the Red Scare?

A period of intense fear of communism in the US, leading to widespread suspicion and accusations against individuals.

What was the Neutrality Act of 1939?

Legislation that allowed nations at war to purchase non-military items from the US on a cash-and-carry basis.

What was the role of the FBI under J. Edgar Hoover during the Cold War?

The FBI conducted investigations and harassed suspected radicals, including tapping the phones of prominent figures.

What was the significance of the 'cash and carry' policy?

It allowed belligerent nations to purchase goods from the US, marking a shift in American neutrality.

What was the impact of decolonization during the Cold War?

Both the US and USSR sought to influence newly independent nations to align with their respective ideologies.

What was the estimated death toll of WWII for the Soviet Union?

Approximately 25 million.

How many men were in the US army in 1945, and what was the number by 1947?

The US army reduced from 12 million in 1945 to 1.5 million in 1947.

What was the GI Bill?

A program that sponsored college education and affordable housing loans for veterans.

What significant refugee crisis occurred in post-war Europe?

A crisis due to the displacement of millions caused by the Holocaust and the establishment of new governments.

What is the Cold War?

A period of geopolitical tension between the USA and the Soviet Union without actual military fighting.

Who were the primary adversaries in the Cold War?

The USA and the Soviet Union, with the USSR led by Joseph Stalin.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

A policy promising US assistance to countries threatened by communism, articulated by President Harry S. Truman in 1947.

What was the purpose of the Marshall Plan?

To provide economic aid to underdeveloped industrial nations and prevent them from falling to communism.

What was Operation 'Little Vittles'?

An operation that involved flying in food to Berlin to relieve the blockade, showcasing US support and capitalism.

What was the significance of the Atom Bomb in WWII?

It was a secret weapon that the USSR was unaware of, contributing to post-war tensions.

What was decided at the Potsdam Conference regarding Germany?

The Big Three decided to split Germany and Berlin into occupied zones as punishment for the war.

What was the aim of the containment strategy?

To stop the spread of communism globally.

What did George Kennan's X article advocate?

It argued for the containment of the Soviet Union and highlighted the perceived threat of communism.

What was the impact of the Berlin Wall's fall in 1987?

It symbolized the decline of Soviet influence and the end of the Cold War.

What was the outcome of the Cold War by 1991?

The dissolution of the Soviet Union.

What was the demographic impact of the Holocaust?

It caused the deaths of 11 million people and displaced millions more.

What was the primary focus of the Arms Race during the Cold War?

The competition to develop and stockpile more destructive weapons.

What was the economic condition of the Soviet Union post-WWII?

It struggled to feed its large population and sought control over agricultural regions like Ukraine.

What was the significance of the US's financial position after WWII?

The USA was the only nation in a strong enough financial position to intervene in global conflicts.