Chapter 32 Key Terms - "The Great Depression & New Deal" (1932-1938)

Election of 1932

• Franklin Delano Roosevelt (Dem.)

• Herbert Hoover (Rep.)

• Norman Thomas (Soc.)

• FDR promised a New Deal, but was vague as to avoid specific commitments and aliening potential voters.

Banking Holiday

• March 6, 1933 - immediately after FDR’s inauguration.

• Closed the banks for a week and gave them federal funds for them to recover.

• Restored the public’s trust in banks.

First Hundred Days

• The Congress under FDR’s initial policies.

• Focused on Recovery, Relief, and Reform.

• FDR replaced the gold standard with paper currency so that he cold inflate the price of the dollar.

• FDR ran “fireside” chats over the radio to calm his fellow Americans.

Father Coughlin

• Catholic Priest from Michigan.

• He used the radio to promote benefits for the elderly.

• Congress passed a law for elderly benefits due to his contribution.

Sick Chicken Trial

• 1935

• The Supreme Court ruled unanimously (most of which were Republicans) that the National Industry Recovery Act (NIRA) was unconstitutional.

• Roosevelt was forced to become more proactive against the Supreme Court.

21st Amendment

• Repealed the 18th Amendment (Prohibition).

Dust Bowl

• Early 1930s

• Trans-Mississippi Great Plains were affected by drought, overused soil, and high winds.

• Sharecroppers were forced off land, known as Okies and Arkies.

• They moved to California but were discriminated against and wouldn’t recover until WWII when the defense industry opened up.

Indian Reorganization Act of 1924

• Encouraged Native Americans to revive their culture and form governments.

• Not effective at all, and many Natives thought it treated them as theatrical displays of America.

Election of 1936

• FDR (Dem.)

• Alfred Landon (Rep.)

• Roosevelt was extremely successful and popular but also OVERCONFIDENT.

John L. Lewis

• Former miner.

• President of the Congress of Industrial Organizations, which unionized all workers within an industry.

• They gave both money and votes to FDR’s 1936 campaign.

“Packing the Supreme Court”

• After his election, FDR tried to appoint new Chief Justices, accusing the current for being behind on their work due to their age.

• FDR was criticized by both parties, the public, and Congress and failed to pass any legislation to gain executive power over the judicial branch.

Roosevelt Recession

• In 1937 a less severe depression hit.

• The Social Security Tax that businesses were being forced to pay and government spending cutbacks contributed to it.

• FDR adopted Keynesian economics (planned deficit spending).