The New Deal in American History

Flashcards covering key vocabulary terms and concepts related to the New Deal in American history.

New Deal

A series of programs and policies designed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to stimulate the economy during the Great Depression.

Fireside Chats

Radio talks given by FDR to explain New Deal measures and calm public fears.

NIRA (National Industrial Recovery Act)

Established codes of fair practice for industries and created the National Recovery Administration.

Social Security Act

1935 legislation that created a system to provide insurance for retirees and unemployment compensation.

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)

Public works program that created jobs for young men in environmental conservation.

WPA (Works Progress Administration)

Created jobs and built projects including roads, schools, and other public infrastructure.

AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act)

Legislation aimed at raising food prices by lowering agricultural production.

Glass-Steagall Act

Law that established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation and regulated banking practices.

21st Amendment

Repealed Prohibition, allowing the production and sale of alcoholic beverages.

FHA (Federal Housing Administration)

Provided loans for mortgages and home repairs to help stimulate the housing market.

FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)

Regulates banking and protects depositors' accounts up to a certain limit.

Court Packing Bill

Proposed legislation by FDR to increase the number of Supreme Court justices to favor New Deal policies.

NLRB (National Labor Relations Board)

Agency responsible for mediating labor disputes and ensuring workers' rights to organize.

TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)

Created jobs and provided electricity in rural areas, revitalizing the Tennessee Valley.

Dust Bowl

Severe drought that significantly affected agriculture and caused widespread displacement.

Eleanor Roosevelt

First Lady and social reformer who advocated for social justice and civil rights during the New Deal.

Great Depression

An economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s, leading to widespread unemployment and hardship.

Liberals vs. Conservatives (in context of New Deal)

Liberals believed the New Deal did not do enough for the poor, while conservatives thought it overstepped by controlling businesses.

Share-Our-Wealth

A popular social program proposed by Senator Huey Long, advocating wealth redistribution.

CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations)

A major labor organization that organized workers across various industries, including unskilled laborers.

What caused the great depression

The Great Depression was caused by a combination of factors including the stock market crash of 1929, bank failures, reduced consumer spending, and widespread unemployment, leading to a severe economic downturn.

who ran for president in 1932

Franklin D. Roosevelt ran for President in 1932, campaigning on a platform of recovery from the Great Depression and implementing the New Deal.

what caused the dust bowl

The Dust Bowl was caused by severe drought, combined with poor agricultural practices and over-farming that stripped the land of its natural vegetation.

what were some results of the depression

widespread unemployment, significant bank failures, and drastic declines in industrial production, leading to long-term economic struggles and shifts in government policy.

What did Hoover do/fail to do to help with the Depression?

Herbert Hoover's administration struggled to address the economic crisis, implementing limited measures like the Reconstruction Finance Corporation but largely adhering to a philosophy of minimal government intervention. His failure to provide adequate relief or stimulate the economy contributed to public discontent and the worsening of the Depression.

What were some examples of the psychological stress of the time?

increased rates of anxiety and depression, a rise in suicide rates, and widespread feelings of hopelessness and despair among affected families.

About what percentage of the working population lost their jobs during the Great Depression?

Approximately 25% of the working population lost their jobs during the Great Depression, significantly worsening economic conditions and social stability.

Describe the problems that the farmers faced during this time.

Farmers faced severe issues such as falling crop prices, widespread drought during the Dust Bowl, and increasing debt, leading to many losing their farms and livelihoods.

List some of the nicknames that Hoover was called

Some of the nicknames that Herbert Hoover was called include "Hoovervilles" for shanty towns, "Hoover Flags" for empty pockets, and "Hoover Blankets" for newspapers used by the homeless.

Buying a stock on margin

is a practice where an investor borrows money from a broker to purchase shares, using the shares themselves as collateral.

Bonus army

A group of World War I veterans who assembled in Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand early payment of a bonus promised to them for their service.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act

A U.S. law enacted in 1930 that raised tariffs on imports and led to retaliatory tariffs by other countries, worsening the Great Depression.

Hobo

A transient worker or homeless person, particularly during the Great Depression, who traveled to find jobs and better living conditions.

Speculation

The practice of buying assets, such as stocks or real estate, with the hope that they will increase in value, often involving higher risks.

Profit-taking

the action of selling an asset after it has increased in value to realize gains, often associated with market volatility.

Federal Home Loan Bank

A system of banks established in 1932 to provide low-interest mortgage loans to homeowners and stimulate the housing market during the Great Depression.

Direct Government relief

Financial assistance provided directly to individuals or families in need, typically during economic hardships to alleviate poverty and stimulate recovery.

Wagner Act-

A landmark labor law passed in 1935 that granted workers the right to organize, engage in collective bargaining, and participate in strikes. It aimed to protect the rights of unions and improve working conditions.

fair labor standard act

A 1938 law that established minimum wage, overtime pay, and prohibited child labor, aimed at improving labor conditions.

Securities and Exchange Commission-

A regulatory agency established in 1934 to oversee securities markets, protect investors, and maintain fair, orderly functioning of the securities industry.

Federal Deficit

The amount by which government spending exceeds its revenue in a given fiscal year, often leading to increased national debt.

parity

A policy aimed at ensuring stable agricultural prices by maintaining a balance between the cost of production and the prices received by farmers.

emergency banking relief act

A law passed in 1933 to stabilize the banking system during the Great Depression by allowing the federal government to reorganize and reopen banks.

federal securities act

A 1933 law that required companies to register with the Securities and Exchange Commission and provide full disclosure of financial information to protect investors.

federal emergency relief administration

A New Deal program established in 1933 to provide direct relief and support to unemployed Americans by funding local relief agencies.

orson wells

a prominent actor, director, and producer known for his innovative contributions to film and radio, particularly for the 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells' 'The War of the Worlds'.

grant wood

an American painter best known for his iconic work "American Gothic," which depicts a stern farmer and his daughter, embodying rural American values during the Great Depression.

richard write

an influential African American author and social activist known for his works that explore the complexities of race, identity, and social justice, particularly in his autobiography 'Black Boy' and the novel 'Native Son'.

the grapes or wrath

a landmark novel by John Steinbeck that tells the story of a displaced farming family during the Great Depression, highlighting themes of poverty and social injustice.

gone with the wind

a historical novel by Margaret Mitchell set in the American South during the Civil War and Reconstruction, focusing on the life of Scarlett O'Hara and her struggles with love and survival.

woody guthrie

an American folk musician and songwriter known for his songs about the struggles of ordinary people during the Great Depression and his influence on the American folk music tradition.

deigo rivera

a prominent Mexican painter and muralist known for his vivid murals that depicted social and political messages, including themes of social justice and the effects of the Great Depression.

francis townsend

an American physician and social reformer who proposed the Townsend Plan, which aimed to provide financial security for the elderly during the Great Depression by giving monthly pensions.

huey long

a leading American politician and populist known for his radical economic policies during the Great Depression, including wealth redistribution and his "Share Our Wealth" program.

john l lewis

a prominent American labor leader and president of the United Mine Workers, known for his role in organizing labor unions and advocating for workers' rights during the New Deal era.

Who was Charles Coughlin?

a Roman Catholic priest and political commentator known for his radio broadcasts during the 1930s that mixed religion, politics, and social criticism, gaining a large following.

What were the first hundred days?

The first hundred days refers to the initial period of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, marked by rapidly enacted policies to combat the Great Depression.

What were the second hundred days?

refers to the period in 1935 when Roosevelt introduced additional New Deal programs to combat the Great Depression