APUSH Period 7- The Great Depression and the New Deal

What was Black Tuesday?

Black Tuesday, occurring on October 29, 1929, was the day the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. The crash resulted from a combination of economic factors, leading to widespread financial panic.

What was the Dust Bowl?

A severe drought in the 1930s that devastated the Great Plains, displacing thousands of farmers and worsening the Depression

What were Okies?

Migrants from the Dust Bowl seeking work (mainly from Oklahoma)

What was the Scottsboro Case

A landmark legal case in the 1930s involving nine African American teenagers accused of raping two white women. It highlighted racial injustice and the shortcomings of the legal system in America.

What was Depression-era “escapism”?

A cultural response to the hardships of the Great Depression, where people sought relief through entertainment such as movies, radio, and literature.

What was the Popular Front?

A political coalition in the 1930s that included communists, socialists, and liberal organizations united to oppose fascism and promote social justice.

What was the The Grapes of Wrath?

A novel by John Steinbeck depicting Dust Bowl migrants’ hardships; reflected New Deal themes of resilience and injustice.

Herbert Hoover’s response to the Depression

Primarily focused on voluntary measures and limited government intervention, emphasizing the importance of individualism and self-reliance.

Who was Franklin D. Roosevelt?

The 32nd President of the United States, he led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II, implementing the New Deal to revive the economy and expand social welfare.

When was FDR elected president?

Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president in 1932, taking office in March 1933.

What was FDR’s New Deal?

(1933-1939) A series of federal programs and reforms enacted by Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at economic recovery, job creation, and social welfare during the Great Depression. The New Deal included initiatives like the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Social Security Administration, and various banking reforms.

What was the Emergency Banking Act?

A 1933 law that allowed the federal government to close banks and reopen them only if they were financially stable, aimed at restoring public confidence in the banking system.

What was the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)?

A 1933 federal law designed to boost agricultural prices by reducing surpluses. It paid farmers to cut back on production and was a key part of FDR's New Deal.

What was the National Recovery Administration (NRA)?

A New Deal agency established in 1933 to promote industrial growth and fair competition through codes of fair practices, including minimum wages and maximum hours.

What was the Tennessee Valley Authority?

A federally owned corporation created in 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, and economic development to the Tennessee Valley, significantly improving the region's standard of living.

What was the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)?

A federal agency established in 1934 to regulate the securities industry, protect investors, maintain fair markets, and facilitate capital formation.

What was the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)?

A New Deal program created in 1933 that employed young men in public works projects focused on natural resource conservation and infrastructure development.

What was the American Liberty League?

An organization formed in 1934 by conservative Democrats and business leaders to oppose the New Deal and advocate for limited government intervention in the economy.

Who was Huey Long?

Louisiana Senator who proposed “Share Our Wealth” program; criticized FDR for not doing enough to redistribute wealth.

Who was Francis Townsend?

A physician and social reformer who proposed the Townsend Plan in 1933, advocating for old-age pensions to boost the economy and support the elderly.

Who was Charles Coughlin?

A Roman Catholic priest and radio personality who criticized the New Deal, advocating for monetary reforms and social justice in the 1930s.

What was the Second New Deal?

A series of programs and reforms launched by FDR from 1935-1937 aimed at economic recovery, job creation, and social welfare, building on the First New Deal.

What was the Wagner Act?

A 1935 law that protected the rights of workers to organize unions and engage in collective bargaining.

What was the Social Security Act?

A 1935 law that established a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and assistance for the disabled and needy.

What was the Court Packing Plan?

A 1937 proposal by FDR to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court in order to secure favorable rulings for his New Deal legislation.

Who was Eleanor Roosevelt?

The wife of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she became an influential advocate for civil rights, women's rights, and social welfare, serving as the first lady from 1933 to 1945.

What was the New Deal and African Americans?

The New Deal significantly impacted African Americans, providing some relief and employment opportunities through various programs, though it also reflected racial discrimination and inequities in implementation.

What was the New Deal and Native Americans?

The New Deal aimed to improve the economic conditions of Native Americans, promoting tribal sovereignty and providing support through programs like the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, while still facing obstacles such as discrimination and limited resources.

What was the New Deal Coalition?

A political alliance formed during the 1930s that united various groups including labor unions, African Americans, and rural farmers to support the New Deal policies.

What was the Legacy of the New Deal?

The legacy of the New Deal includes the expansion of federal government roles in the economy and social welfare, strengthened labor rights, and the establishment of social security systems, though it also revealed ongoing issues of inequality.