APSUH VQ - GD 1

1928 Election

The ___ presidential election saw Herbert Hoover, the Republican candidate, defeat Al Smith, the Democratic candidate. Hoover’s victory marked the last Republican presidency before the Great Depression. His win highlighted the growing urban-rural divide in American politics.

Herbert Hoover

The 31st President of the United States (1929-1933), ____ was in office during the onset of the Great Depression. He is often criticized for his inability to effectively address the economic collapse and for his belief in minimal government intervention, which led to widespread public dissatisfaction.

Black Thursday and Black Tuesday

_____ (October 24, 1929) and ______ (October 29, 1929) refer to two days in the Stock Market Crash of 1929, which triggered the Great Depression. On _______, stock prices began plummeting, and by ______, the market had lost billions of dollars, leading to widespread panic and economic collapse.

Sect. of Treasury, Andrew Mellon

____________ served as Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover. He advocated for supply-side economics, including tax cuts for the wealthy, which he believed would stimulate the economy. His policies are often criticized for contributing to the unequal distribution of wealth during the 1920s and worsening the effects of the Great Depression.

Federal Reserve

The _______ is the central banking system of the United States, created in 1913. During the Great Depression, the _______'s decisions, such as raising interest rates, exacerbated the economic downturn by making credit more expensive and difficult to obtain.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930)

The _______ was a protectionist trade policy enacted in 1930 that raised tariffs on imported goods. Intended to protect American industries, it led to retaliatory tariffs by other countries, worsening the global economic situation and deepening the Great Depression.

Margaret Sanger

A pioneering birth control activist, ________ promoted the use of contraception and worked to improve reproductive rights for women. She founded what would become Planned Parenthood and played a key role in advocating for women's health and family planning during the early 20th century.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

Established in 1932 by President Hoover, the ____ was a government agency designed to provide loans to banks, industries, and state/local governments in an effort to stabilize the economy during the Great Depression. Though it was a form of government intervention, it was criticized for mainly helping large businesses rather than ordinary Americans.

“Priming the pump”

A term used by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to describe the idea of using government spending to stimulate economic activity. The concept involved investing in public works and job creation to jumpstart the economy, a central principle of the New Deal.

“Rugged individualism”

A term associated with Herbert Hoover, ___________ emphasized the belief that individuals should succeed through their own efforts, without relying on government assistance. Hoover's adherence to this philosophy during the Great Depression led to criticism, as many felt that more government intervention was needed.

Farm Holiday Association

A movement during the Great Depression, the ___________ was an effort by farmers to withhold crops from the market to raise agricultural prices. It was part of the larger protests by farmers who were suffering from falling crop prices and economic hardship during the Depression.

“Bonus Army”

A group of 20,000 World War I veterans who marched to Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of bonuses promised to them. The protest ended in violence when the U.S. Army, under Hoover’s orders, forcibly removed the veterans from the capital, damaging Hoover’s political reputation.

Stimson Doctrine

The ________, announced by U.S. Secretary of State Henry _______ in 1932, declared that the U.S. would not recognize territorial changes made by force, specifically in response to Japan’s invasion of Manchuria. The doctrine reflected the U.S. policy of non-recognition of aggressive actions during the interwar period.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)

The 32nd President of the United States (1933-1945), _____ led the country through the Great Depression and World War II. His New Deal programs aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the U.S. economy, fundamentally reshaping the role of the federal government.

1932 Election

In the _____ presidential election, Franklin D. Roosevelt defeated incumbent Herbert Hoover in a landslide, signaling a shift in public opinion toward government intervention in the economy. Roosevelt's promise of a New Deal to combat the Great Depression gained broad support.

“Fireside chats”

_________ were a series of informal radio addresses by Franklin D. Roosevelt. Through these broadcasts, Roosevelt communicated directly with the American people, explaining his policies and reassuring them during the Great Depression and World War II. These chats helped build public trust in his leadership.

Bank Holiday

In March 1933, FDR declared a nationwide _______ temporarily closing all U.S. banks to prevent further bank runs. This action helped stabilize the banking system and led to the passage of the Banking Act of 1933, which established reforms to ensure the stability of banks.

Frances Perkins

The first woman to serve in a U.S. Cabinet, _______ was appointed Secretary of Labor by Franklin D. Roosevelt. She played a pivotal role in crafting New Deal labor policies, including Social Security and the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established minimum wages and labor protections.

“Brain Trust”

A group of academic and professional advisors who helped Franklin D. Roosevelt design his New Deal programs. The ______ included economists, social scientists, and legal experts who shaped key pieces of New Deal legislation.

The Hundred Days

The first _____ days of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, from March to June 1933, during which Congress passed an unprecedented number of laws aimed at addressing the Great Depression. These laws included banking reforms, the creation of public works programs, and agricultural relief.

20th Amendment

Ratified in 1933, the ___ Amendment, also known as the "Lame Duck Amendment," moved the beginning of presidential and congressional terms from March 4 to January 20. It reduced the time that defeated officials could remain in office after elections.

21st Amendment

Ratified in 1933, the ____ Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment, which had instituted Prohibition. The 21st Amendment legalized alcohol and marked the end of nationwide alcohol prohibition.

Schechter v. United States (Sick Chicken Case)

A 1935 Supreme Court case in which the Court declared the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) unconstitutional. The case involved the Schechter brothers, who were accused of violating NIRA codes, and the ruling limited the federal government’s ability to regulate businesses under the Commerce Clause.

Francis Townsend

A California physician who proposed the Townsend Plan, which called for giving senior citizens $200 per month to stimulate the economy and provide financial relief to the elderly. His plan was influential in the establishment of Social Security.

Father Charles Coughlin

A Catholic priest and radio personality who initially supported Franklin D. Roosevelt but later became a vocal critic of his New Deal programs. His populist rhetoric, which included anti-Semitic and pro-fascist views, alienated many but also garnered a significant following.

Huey Long (The Kingfish)

A populist Louisiana governor and U.S. senator known for his radical “Share Our Wealth” program. Long advocated for wealth redistribution, including guaranteed income for all citizens and elderly pensions, and was a major critic of Roosevelt’s New Deal.

“Share the Wealth”

A program proposed by Huey Long in the 1930s, which aimed to redistribute wealth by limiting personal fortunes and providing a guaranteed income and pensions for all Americans. Long’s plan challenged FDR’s policies and gained significant popularity among the impoverished.