The Popular Front: U.S. Responses to Global Crises in the 1930s

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208 Terms

1
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What is the purpose of the course discussed in the notes?

To examine interactions between major events in U.S. history and related or concurrent global developments.

2
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How do American history textbooks often present U.S. history, according to the notes?

They tend to focus too much on events within the United States without considering international developments.

3
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What historical example is given to illustrate the interplay between U.S. domestic policies and foreign policy?

The construction of the Panama Canal.

4
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What concept is described as the basis of American policymaking in the early 20th century?

American exceptionalism, the idea that the U.S. has a unique and superior version of democracy and capitalism.

5
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How did American imperialism differ from Western European imperialism?

While both were based on ideas of race and white supremacy, American imperialism was justified by the belief that American democracy was better and unique.

6
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What was the rationale for conquests of new lands and peoples according to the notes?

The belief in American exceptionalism and the desire to share American democracy with the rest of the world.

7
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What significant global conflict is mentioned as an omission in the course?

World War I.

8
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What was President Woodrow Wilson's justification for U.S. involvement in World War I?

To make the world safe for democracy.

9
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What does the justification for World War I mirror according to the notes?

The justification for previous and subsequent imperial ventures.

10
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What narrative is commonly accepted regarding U.S. international engagement after World War I?

That the United States withdrew from most international engagements for a couple of decades.

11
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Who is mentioned as being critical of the narrative of American withdrawal after World War I?

Henry Lewis, in his essay 'The American Century'.

12
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What does the term 'American exceptionalism' refer to?

The belief that the United States has a unique and superior role in promoting democracy and capitalism.

13
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What was the timeframe of World War I?

The war started in 1914, the U.S. entered in 1917, and it ended in 1918.

14
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Why does the instructor choose not to spend much time on World War I in the course?

To focus on other topics that may be less familiar to students.

15
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What is implied about the relationship between U.S. domestic reforms and foreign policy?

They are intricately linked, as seen in examples like the Panama Canal.

16
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What does the instructor hope to achieve by examining U.S. history in a global context?

To provide a more nuanced understanding of American history.

17
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What is a key theme in the discussions of imperialism in the course?

The interplay between American domestic policies and foreign imperialistic ambitions.

18
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What role did American industrialists play in U.S. foreign policy, as mentioned in the notes?

They influenced foreign policy decisions, as seen with the example of Henry Ford in Brazil.

19
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What is the significance of the phrase 'safe for democracy' in U.S. foreign policy?

It serves as a justification for military and imperial actions.

20
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What does the instructor suggest about the importance of World War I in the context of the course?

It is important but will be addressed briefly to allow for coverage of other material.

21
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How does the instructor view the relationship between American democracy and capitalism?

They are intertwined, with American democracy being presented alongside a capitalistic agenda.

22
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What does the instructor mean by 'sacrificing' certain topics in the course?

Prioritizing certain materials over others due to time constraints.

23
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What is the overarching theme of the course as described in the notes?

The interconnectedness of U.S. history with global events and developments.

24
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What was the economic condition of the United States after the First World War?

The economy was booming.

25
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What social movement flourished in the United States after WWI?

Catholicism flourished.

26
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What was the focus of American domestic policy in the 1920s and 1930s?

Domestic issues were at the forefront.

27
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How did Henry Lewis view American foreign policy in the 1920s and 1930s?

He criticized it as a missed opportunity for the U.S. to lead the free world.

28
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What did Henry Lewis believe about American isolationism?

He abhorred it and thought it was a retreat from responsibility.

29
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Which U.S. president did Henry Lewis align more closely with in terms of interventionism?

Theodore Roosevelt.

30
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What major global conflict had the United States recently participated in before the 1920s?

The First World War.

31
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What significant economic event began in October 1929?

The stock market crash on Black Tuesday.

32
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What environmental crisis affected farmers in the 1930s?

The Dust Bowl, which caused droughts and migration.

33
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What was one of the government responses to the Great Depression?

The creation of the New Deal by Franklin D. Roosevelt.

34
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What was the purpose of the New Deal?

To help small businesses, provide jobs, and create a financial safety net.

35
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What was a significant consequence of the stock market crash for ordinary Americans?

Many lost their life savings due to bank closures.

36
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What were the federal protections for bank deposits like before the Great Depression?

There were no federal protections, leading to total loss of deposits.

37
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What was the impact of stock speculation in the 1920s?

It was out of control and contributed to the market crash.

38
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Who was the U.S. president before Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression?

Herbert Hoover.

39
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What did the New Deal consist of?

A series of federal agencies aimed at economic recovery.

40
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What was the public perception of the stock market crash?

It was shocking to many, especially those without investments.

41
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What was the Dust Bowl migration?

A movement of people seeking better life due to drought conditions.

42
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What did Henry Lewis think about the U.S. role in international affairs during the 1920s and 1930s?

He believed the U.S. should have taken a leadership role.

43
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What was one of the tools used by FDR to combat the Great Depression?

Federal government intervention to help citizens.

44
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What was the NRA mentioned in the context of the New Deal?

It refers to the National Recovery Administration, not the modern NRA.

45
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What did the Great Depression loom largest over in American society during the 1930s?

The political and economic focus of most Americans.

46
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What was the general sentiment towards the economy in the late 1920s?

There were signs that the booming economy might be coming to a halt.

47
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What was the National Recovery Administration (NRA)?

An organization that aimed to help stabilize small businesses during the Great Depression.

48
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What did the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AA) do?

It aimed to help farmers during the Great Depression.

49
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What was the purpose of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)?

To put young men to work on projects like building bridges and footpaths in national parks.

50
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What was the Work Progress Administration (WPA)?

A program that used federal money to help build roads, bridges, and various public works projects.

51
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What is a legacy of the New Deal?

Social Security.

52
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How is the New Deal viewed in the context of the Great Depression?

As a government response to a financial crisis in the United States.

53
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What was the global context of the Great Depression?

The financial crisis in the U.S. affected its allies, trading partners, and colonized areas around the world.

54
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What is a popular front?

A social and cultural movement that flourished during the Great Depression, involving leftists, radicals, labor activists, and civil rights advocates.

55
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Who were some of the critics of Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal?

Individuals who believed the government was spending too much money and that there was federal overreach.

56
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What did some people involved in the popular front advocate for?

They believed the federal government should do more to alleviate the effects of the Great Depression.

57
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What did critics of capitalism blame for the financial market collapse?

Unrestrained capitalism.

58
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Who were some of the groups involved in the popular front?

Trade unionists, labor activists, and civil rights advocates.

59
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What rights did trade unionists advocate for?

The right of workers to organize in trade unions.

60
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What issues did African American freedom fighters focus on during the Great Depression?

Desegregation, anti-lynching legislation, and voting rights.

61
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When did efforts to keep African Americans from voting begin?

In the late 19th century.

62
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What was the general sentiment towards the federal government's role in the economy during the Great Depression?

Some believed it should not be involved, while others thought it should take more action.

63
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What was a significant aspect of the popular front's composition?

It included a diverse coalition of leftists, radicals, and various activists.

64
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What was the primary focus of the popular front movement?

Labor unionism and alternative cultural, political, and economic models.

65
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What was the impact of the Great Depression on the 1930s globally?

It was a tumultuous decade not just for the U.S. but for other parts of the world as well.

66
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What did the popular front aim to address?

The crises around the globe during the 1930s.

67
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Why is the popular front not widely known in American history?

It is often not included in the standard American history curriculum.

68
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What was the relationship between the New Deal and the popular front?

The New Deal was a government response, while the popular front was a people's response to the economic crises.

69
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What types of activism were included in the popular front?

Labor activism, civil rights advocacy, and cultural movements.

70
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Who was Paul Robeson?

A famous American actor and singer known for his radical civil rights work and criticism of American imperialism.

71
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What were Paul Robeson's contributions to civil rights?

He pushed for desegregation of businesses and voting protections for African Americans.

72
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How did Paul Robeson view American imperialism?

He was extremely critical of American imperialism and the colonial policies of Western European allies.

73
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What political ideology was Paul Robeson interested in?

He was sympathetic to communism and joined the Communist Party.

74
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What action did the U.S. government take against Paul Robeson in the 1950s?

The U.S. revoked his passport to prevent him from traveling internationally.

75
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What was the Comintern?

The Communist International, headquartered in Moscow, which instructed communists globally to engage in broad-based coalition politics.

76
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What was the significance of the Comintern's announcement in the mid-1930s?

It encouraged communists to align with non-communist groups that shared similar interests, particularly during the Great Depression.

77
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What were some concerns that aligned various groups during the Great Depression?

Concerns about the global economy, job scarcity, and the effects of the Depression on struggling families.

78
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What did the Comintern suggest regarding civil rights groups?

It suggested that communists should ally with civil rights groups and freedom fighters, even if they were not part of the Communist Party.

79
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What was the broader goal of the Comintern's coalition politics?

To unite like-minded individuals globally against capitalism, colonialism, and civil rights violations.

80
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How did Paul Robeson's international connections relate to the popular front?

His connections to the Soviet Union exemplified the ties between the popular front in the U.S. and Communist Party politics.

81
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Why might Paul Robeson be less known in high school curricula?

Because his connections to communism and the popular front are often omitted from educational narratives.

82
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What was a key aspect of Paul Robeson's activism?

His criticism of both American and Western European imperialism.

83
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What did the Comintern believe about the political spectrum of potential allies?

They believed that critics of capitalism and imperialism could come from various political philosophies.

84
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What was a consequence of Robeson's activism during the Cold War?

The U.S. government viewed him as a subversive and restricted his international travel.

85
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What role did the Great Depression play in the formation of coalitions among activists?

It highlighted the need for collective action against economic hardship, prompting alliances among diverse groups.

86
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What was the impact of Robeson's work on the African American Freedom struggle?

He played a significant role in advocating for civil rights and desegregation.

87
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What did the Comintern's strategy emphasize regarding revolutionary goals?

It emphasized temporarily setting aside revolutionary goals to build coalitions with other groups.

88
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How did Robeson's activism reflect international solidarity?

He connected local civil rights struggles to global anti-imperialism and communism.

89
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What was one of the reasons for the U.S. government's suspicion of Robeson?

His visits to the Soviet Union and his involvement in communist politics.

90
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What did the Comintern encourage regarding the role of communists in society?

To engage with and support movements that opposed capitalism and imperialism, regardless of their political affiliation.

91
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What was the relationship between civil rights movements and the Communist Party during the popular front era?

The Communist Party sought to support civil rights movements as part of a broader strategy to unite against oppression.

92
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What does the term 'popular front' refer to in this context?

A coalition of various political groups, including communists and civil rights activists, working together for common goals.

93
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What was the role of the Communist Party in the Popular Front?

The Communist Party was involved in the Popular Front but did not dominate it.

94
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Who is Paul Robeson and what was his significance in the Popular Front?

Paul Robeson was a member of the Popular Front who expressed social, political, and cultural ideas, although many were not particularly radical.

95
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What does historian Michael Denning refer to when discussing the Popular Front?

Michael Denning refers to the cultural side of the Popular Front as the 'popular cultural front,' highlighting the expression of ideas through arts and entertainment.

96
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Name a famous artist associated with the Popular Front and describe her contribution.

Billie Holiday is a famous jazz singer associated with the Popular Front, known for her song 'Strange Fruit,' which addresses the lynching of African Americans.

97
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What is the theme of Billie Holiday's song 'Strange Fruit'?

The song 'Strange Fruit' addresses the lynching of black men and women in the Jim Crow South.

98
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Who wrote the song 'Strange Fruit' and what was his involvement in the Popular Front?

The song 'Strange Fruit' was written by Abel Meeropol, a playwright and songwriter active in the Popular Front.

99
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How did Billie Holiday's recording of 'Strange Fruit' contribute to the Popular Front?

By recording 'Strange Fruit,' Billie Holiday expressed the politics of the Popular Front and criticized U.S. policies regarding lynching.

100
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Which other American artists were involved in the Popular Front?

Other artists included novelist John Dos Passos and playwright Orson Welles.