Comprehensive Guide to FDR, New Deal, and Great Depression Key Terms

Herbert Hoover

The 31st President of the United States who served from 1929 to 1933 during the onset of the Great Depression.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

A tariff enacted in 1930 that raised duties on imports, contributing to a decline in international trade.

Black Tuesday

The day (October 29, 1929) the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

Buying on Margin

The practice of purchasing stocks with borrowed funds, which contributed to the stock market crash.

Fundamental causes of the Great Depression

Factors including bank failures, the farming sector crisis, buying on credit, and uneven distribution of wealth.

Depression in the cities vs. Depression in rural areas

The urban areas faced unemployment and poverty, while rural areas dealt with agricultural collapse.

Families and the Great Depression

The Great Depression had long-lasting effects on families, including poverty and displacement.

Election of 1928

The presidential election in which Herbert Hoover was elected, preceding the Great Depression.

Boulder Dam

A major public works project during the Great Depression, aimed at providing jobs and controlling water supply.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

A government agency created to provide financial support to banks and businesses during the Great Depression.

Rugged Individual

A belief in self-reliance and individualism, often associated with Hoover's approach to the Great Depression.

Trickle Down Theory

An economic theory suggesting that benefits for the wealthy will eventually benefit the broader population.

Home Loan Bank Act

Legislation aimed at providing affordable home loans to stimulate the housing market during the Great Depression.

Bonus Army

A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington in 1932 to demand early payment of a bonus.

Hoovervilles

Makeshift shantytowns built by homeless people during the Great Depression, named after President Hoover.

Dust Bowl

A severe drought in the 1930s that devastated the agricultural sector in the Great Plains.

Grapes of Wrath

A novel by John Steinbeck depicting the struggles of Dust Bowl migrants during the Great Depression.

Okies

Migrants from Oklahoma who moved to California during the Dust Bowl in search of work and better living conditions.

Escapism

A coping mechanism during the Great Depression where people sought entertainment to escape their hardships.

The New Deal

A series of programs and policies implemented by FDR aimed at economic recovery during the Great Depression.

Election of 1932

The presidential election in which Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected, leading to significant policy changes.

FDR

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States who led the country during the Great Depression.

Lame Duck Period

The time between the election and the inauguration of a new president, during which the outgoing president has reduced power.

Eleanor Roosevelt

The First Lady and a prominent political figure who advocated for civil rights and social reform.

The Brain Trust

A group of advisors who helped FDR formulate policies during his presidency.

The Three R's

Relief, Recovery, and Reform - the goals of the New Deal programs.

The 1st 100 Days

The initial period of FDR's presidency during which he implemented numerous New Deal programs.

FERA

Federal Emergency Relief Administration, a New Deal agency that provided direct relief for the needy.

CCC

Civilian Conservation Corps, a New Deal program that employed young men in environmental projects.

WPA

Works Progress Administration, a New Deal agency that provided jobs for millions of unemployed Americans.

AAA

Agricultural Adjustment Act, a New Deal program aimed at boosting agricultural prices by reducing surpluses.

NIRA

National Industrial Recovery Act, a New Deal law aimed at stimulating industrial growth and improving labor conditions.

HOLC

Home Owners' Loan Corporation, a New Deal agency that provided refinancing options for struggling homeowners.

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission, a regulatory agency created to oversee the stock market and protect investors.

TVA

Tennessee Valley Authority, a New Deal program that aimed to provide electricity and economic development in the Tennessee Valley.

SSA

Social Security Administration, a New Deal program that established a social insurance system for retirees and the disabled.

NRA

National Recovery Administration, a New Deal agency aimed at stimulating economic recovery through fair competition.

Glass-Steagall Act

Legislation that separated commercial and investment banking, leading to the creation of the FDIC to protect depositors.

Election of 1936

The presidential election in which FDR was re-elected, solidifying support for his New Deal policies.

Supreme Court Packing controversy

FDR's attempt to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court to secure favorable rulings for New Deal legislation.

Demagogues/Critics

Political leaders who opposed FDR and the New Deal, often using populist rhetoric to gain support.

Huey Long

A Louisiana politician who criticized FDR and proposed wealth redistribution through his 'Share Our Wealth' program.

Father Coughlin

A radio priest who became a vocal critic of FDR, advocating for monetary reforms and social justice.

Francis Townsend

An advocate for elderly pensions who criticized FDR for not doing enough for the elderly during the Great Depression.

Labor Unions under New Deal

Labor unions gained strength and recognition during the New Deal, leading to improved labor rights and conditions.

NLRA

National Labor Relations Act, also known as the Wagner Act, which strengthened labor unions and workers' rights.

NLRB

National Labor Relations Board, an agency created to enforce labor laws and protect workers' rights.

FLSA

Fair Labor Standards Act, legislation that established minimum wage and maximum hour standards for workers.

Success/Legacy of New Deal

The New Deal's programs laid the foundation for modern social welfare and economic policies still in place today.