The Great Depression and its Impact

These flashcards cover essential vocabulary terms related to the Great Depression, its causes, and its effects on American society.

Dow Jones

A stock market index that indicates the value of 30 large companies based in the United States.

Oversupply

A situation where too much of a product is available, which can lead to decreased prices.

Speculation

The practice of buying stocks with the hope that they will increase in value.

Margin Buying

Purchasing stocks by borrowing funds from a broker, which can lead to significant losses if stock prices fall.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

An act that raised tariffs on imported goods in the United States, contributing to a decrease in international trade.

Unemployment Rate

The percentage of the labor force that is jobless and actively seeking employment.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A public work relief program that provided jobs for young men during the Great Depression.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

A federally owned corporation created to provide affordable electricity and improve economic development in the Tennessee Valley.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

A government agency that provides insurance to depositors in U.S. banks, protecting against bank failures.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

A U.S. government agency responsible for enforcing the laws concerning the trading of securities to protect investors.

Bonus March

A protest movement in 1932 involving World War I veterans marching to demand immediate payment of bonuses promised to them.

Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s, marked by significant declines in output, employment, and trade.

Fireside Chats

Informal radio addresses given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to communicate directly with the American public.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

A government agency that provided financial support to banks and businesses during the Great Depression to stimulate economic recovery.

The New Deal

A series of economic programs implemented by Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at relief, recovery, and reform.

Dust Bowl

A period of severe dust storms in the 1930s that greatly damaged the ecology and agriculture of the U.S. Great Plains.

Social Indicators

Statistics that depict social trends, including marriage rates, birth rates, and employment levels.

Insider Trading

The illegal practice of trading stocks based on non-public information about a company.

National Credit Corporation

An organization established to help banks during the Great Depression by encouraging them to support each other.