U.S. History: The Great Depression to World War II

A set of 45 flashcards covering key concepts, leaders, and events from the Great Depression to WWII.

Herbert Hoover

President from 1929-1933; believed in limited federal intervention and rugged individualism.

Rugged Individualism

The belief that individuals should be self-reliant without government aid.

The Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic downturn that took place during the 1930s.

The Roaring Twenties

A period of economic prosperity and cultural change in the 1920s.

Bull Market

A period of rising stock prices, characterized by investor confidence.

Margin Buying

Purchasing stocks by borrowing money, leading to inflated stock prices.

Pump and Dump Scheme

A fraudulent practice of inflating stock prices to sell at a profit.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

President from 1933-1945; implemented the New Deal to combat the Great Depression.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

An act that raised tariffs on imports, contributing to a decline in international trade.

New Deal

A series of programs and reforms introduced by FDR to provide relief and recovery during the Great Depression.

SEC

Securities and Exchange Commission; regulates the stock market to prevent fraud.

FDIC

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; insures bank deposits to restore public confidence.

TVA

Tennessee Valley Authority; developed infrastructure and provided electricity in the Tennessee Valley.

CCC

Civilian Conservation Corps; provided jobs in environmental conservation.

WPA

Works Progress Administration; created jobs focused on infrastructure and public projects.

SSA

Social Security Act; established pensions for the elderly and unemployment insurance.

First 100 Days

The initial period of FDR's presidency where many laws were passed to stabilize the economy.

Huey Long

Critic of FDR; proposed the 'Share Our Wealth' program.

Republican Party Platform 1936

Criticized the New Deal for expanding government power.

Judicial Independence

The principle that the judiciary should remain independent from the other branches of government.

Fireside Chats

Radio broadcasts by FDR to communicate directly with the American people.

Four Freedoms

FDR's vision of democratic freedoms: freedom of speech, worship, from want, and from fear.

Lend-Lease Act

Allowed the U.S. to lend or lease war supplies to Allies without direct involvement.

Pearl Harbor Attack

The Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, leading to U.S. entry into WWII.

“Arsenal of Democracy”

FDR’s promise to supply Allied nations with war materials.

The Greatest Generation

Refers to the Americans who grew up during the Great Depression and fought in WWII.

GI Bill

Legislation providing educational and housing benefits to returning WWII veterans.

D-Day

The Allied invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944, marking a turning point in WWII.

Japanese Internment

The forced relocation of Japanese Americans during WWII.

Victory in Europe

Germany's surrender on May 8, 1945, marking the end of WWII in Europe.

Atomic Bombs

Nuclear weapons developed during the Manhattan Project; used on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Iwo Jima

A significant battle in the Pacific during WWII known for fierce fighting.

Manhattan Project

The secret U.S. project for developing atomic bombs during WWII.

Isolationism

The U.S. policy of avoiding involvement in foreign wars.

Resilience

The ability to recover quickly from difficulties; a characteristic shown by WWII veterans.

Civil Rights Violations

Breach of individual rights; seen during the internment of Japanese Americans.

Allied Powers

The coalition of countries, including the U.S., fighting against Axis powers during WWII.

Axis Powers

The coalition of countries, including Germany, Japan, and Italy, opposed to the Allies during WWII.

Nazi Germany

The totalitarian regime led by Adolf Hitler, characterized by fascism and militarism.

FDR’s Death

Franklin D. Roosevelt died in April 1945, leading to Harry S. Truman's presidency.

Cold War Divisions

Tensions and conflicts that arose after WWII, primarily between the U.S. and Soviet Union.