Key Concepts of American History: 1929-1980

This set of flashcards covers key terms and concepts from American history during the periods surrounding the Great Depression, World War II, and the Civil Rights Movement.

Black Tuesday

October 29, 1929, marked the stock market crash where stock prices plummeted.

Stock Market Speculation

Buying stocks on margin, allowing investors to borrow against their investments, leading to significant losses during market collapse.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

1930 tariff that raised duties on foreign imports, leading to retaliatory tariffs and worsening the Depression.

Keynesian Economics

Economic theory suggesting that government deficit spending can stimulate economic growth during downturns.

Dust Bowl

A severe drought in the early 1930s that devastated agriculture in the Great Plains.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A New Deal program that employed young men in environmental projects on federal lands.

Social Security Act

1935 legislation creating a federal insurance program for retirees based on payments from employees and employers.

Lend-Lease Act

1941 act allowing the US to provide military aid to allies during WWII without immediate repayment.

Four Freedoms

Concept presented by President Roosevelt in 1941, including freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.

Truman Doctrine

A policy of providing aid to countries threatened by communism, initiated in 1947.

Brown v. Board of Education

1954 Supreme Court case ruling that racial segregation in public schools is unconstitutional.

Vietnamization

Nixon's strategy of gradually withdrawing US troops from Vietnam while supporting South Vietnam.

Title IX

1972 act that prohibits sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.

Civil Rights Act of 1964

Legislation prohibiting discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, or national origin.