Untitled Flashcards Set

Modernism

The beginning of a new period that rejected conventional ways of viewing and interacting with the world.

19th Amendment

Allowed women the right to vote.

Flappers

Women in the 1920s who challenged traditional roles and societal norms.

Talkies

Another name for the first talking films.

Prohibition

The legal act that outlawed alcohol starting in January 1920.

Bootleggers

Individuals who sold alcohol illegally during prohibition.

Speakeasies

Illegal bars that operated during the prohibition era.

Eugenics

The belief in improving human qualities by discouraging reproduction of undesirable traits.

Buck v. Bell

A 1927 Supreme Court case that upheld sterilization of genetically unfit individuals.

John Scopes

A teacher who broke the law by teaching evolution in high school.

Red Scare

A period of fear of Russians attempting to overthrow the US government.

Black Tuesday

The date of the stock market crash, October 29, 1929.

Stock Market Crash effects

Business failures, production slowdown, loss of stock value, and bank collapses.

Great Depression causes

Buying on margin, overspeculation, panic selling, and a reckless business system.

FDR

President elected during the Election of 1932.

New Deal

Roosevelt's program that changed the government's role in solving citizens' problems.

Social Security Act

Provided safeguards for workers, pensions for retired workers, and support for disabled workers.

Consumer Economy

An economy characterized by an increase in consumer spending and demand.

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural and artistic movement centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City.

Dust Bowl

A period of severe dust storms in the 1930s, greatly affecting American agriculture.

1.     Explain the causes of the Stock Market Crash/Great Depression.

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 was caused by a combination of factors: excessive buying on margin, where investors borrowed money to purchase stocks, leading to inflated stock prices; overspeculation, where stocks were bought based on the expectation of quick profit rather than their actual value; panic selling, where fear of losing money led to massive sell-offs; and a reckless business system, characterized by unregulated financial practices and lack of oversight, which created an unstable economic environment.

1.     Explain the impacts of the Great Depression on Americans.

he Great Depression had severe and wide-reaching impacts on Americans, including widespread unemployment, with rates soaring to about 25% as businesses closed or reduced their workforce; significant loss of income, leading to increased poverty levels and diminished spending power; a collapse in the banking system, resulting in bank failures and loss of savings for many; food shortages and malnutrition, as families struggled to afford basic necessities; and psychological impacts, such as increased stress and anxiety, which contributed to a decline in mental health. The era also saw a rise in homelessness and the establishment of shantytowns, known as 'Hoovervilles,' named after President Herbert Hoover. Additionally, the Great Depression fostered a sense of resilience and led to social changes, such as increased activism for workers' rights and the emergence of government programs aimed at economic recovery.

1.     Explain the three parts to the New Deal.

The New Deal, introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, consisted of three key components: Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Relief aimed to provide immediate assistance to those suffering from the economic distress of the Great Depression through programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). Recovery focused on stimulating the economy and restoring jobs, which included efforts such as the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) and the Public Works Administration (PWA) that promoted infrastructure development. Reform sought to implement lasting changes to prevent future economic downturns, exemplified by the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Social Security Act, which aimed to regulate financial markets and provide support for the elderly and unemployed.