Review Flashcards on the Great Depression, New Deal, WWII, and the Cold War

Flashcards generated from lecture notes on the Great Depression, the New Deal, World War II, and the Cold War. These flashcards are in question and answer format to help you study for your upcoming exam.

What was Harding's main focus as president?

Returning to normalcy, worrying about America and not the world.

What was Coolidge's main focus as president?

Business comes first.

How did the Federal Reserve respond to farm failures in 1929?

Raising the prime rate.

What were some major economic factors that led to the Crash of 1929?

Families everywhere have overextended buying on credit, stockbrokers are overextending in margin loans, and too much corporate borrowing from banks.

What was the primary problem with Hoover's Reconstruction Finance Corporation?

He underestimated the power that was holding the economy down.

What type of relief would Hoover NOT offer?

He would not offer direct relief.

What did FDR promise to do in order to cure the Great Depression?

He promised to experiment with anything that can cure the depression.

What was the most memorable quote from FDR's inaugural address?

Nothing to fear but fear itself.

What did the first hundred days of FDR's administration demonstrate?

Demonstrates competence and compassion.

According to FDR, what was he trying to prevent with his policies?

Says he's trying to prevent revolution.

What happened during the Bank Holiday?

By federal order all banks are closed.

What did separating the dollar from the gold standard allow the government to do?

Allows them to print more money, to stimulate inflation.

What are the 3 R's of the New Deal?

Relief, Recovery, and Reform.

What was the goal of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff?

Hoping to stimulate domestic production by eliminating foreign competition.

What was a major negative consequence of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff?

Other countries retaliate with tariffs back on the US.

What did the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) recognize and offer?

Acknowledging overproduction, seeing the negative effects, and offering to pay farmers to leave some of their farmland alone.

Who did the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) target, and what did it offer?

Targeted at 16-22 year olds; offering young Americans a salary to clean up open spaces.

What was the purpose of the Public Works Administration (PWA)?

Hiring adults to make new government buildings, restore old ones, fix water pipes and sewers.

What did the Wagner Act establish regarding unions?

Government will sanction and protect unions (collective bargaining).

How does the Social Security Act work?

You contribute to your personal fund from paychecks as you work, and you can cash in once you are 65.

What was the Supreme Court's reasoning for striking down parts of the AAA?

The government doesn't have the right to strike down on farmers.

What did the 1937 recession suggest about the New Deal?

Some people believed this showed the new deal wasn't working, or it shows that FDR admin stopped stimulus too soon.

What were some of the major social issues in America by 1922?

Restriction on immigration, Ban on alcohol, and Scopes trial.

Why didn't the US join the League of Nations?

Congress rejects Wilson’s proposal because thought joining alliance meant another war

What was the main agreement of the Washington Conference (1922)?

Each country agrees to limit its battleships, tanks, airplanes (arms limitation).

What pledge was made in the Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928)?

Each country signs a promise of “no more war”.

What is the core principle of totalitarianism?

Government based upon total control of the individual.

What type of government did Mussolini introduce in Italy?

Introducing fascism.

Why did Big Business fear communism?

Workers unions want bigger piece of pie or restructuring?

What party did Hitler lead in Germany?

German socialist workers party (NAZI).

Why did Roosevelt thinks the US should get involved with the war?

If we don't get involved, we will be very alone.

With whom did Roosevelt correspond regarding the danger of Hitler and the possibility of war?

Correspondence with Winston Churchill in England who agrees.

What region did Japan invade in 1931?

Northern China, area with a lot of natural resources.

Why was Germany reclaiming the Rhineland significant?

Forbidden to them from Treaty of Versailles.

Why did Italy invade Ethiopia in 1936?

Mussolini had his eye on east africa, wants to restore the old roman empire.

What was Hitler demanding at the Munich Conference?

Hitler demanding Czechoslovakia Sudetenland, after he gets that he will stop.

What did the 1935 Neutrality Act allow the President to do?

President has the right to ban all shipments to belligerent countries.

What did the 1936 Neutrality Act prevent?

No US loans to belligerent nations.

What were the requirements of the Cash and Carry policy?

Belligerents must pay cash & load ships themselves.

What was the immediate reaction of Britain and France when Germany invaded Poland?

They declare a state of war with Germany.

Why did the US enact a total embargo of Japan in August 1941?

Trying to halt Japanese aggression.

How did Japan respond to the US's total embargo?

In retaliation to get the US out of the pacific they start planning to militarily attack them.

Why was Pearl Harbor a significant target for Japan?

The US had a lot of their navel resources there, and it was believed that it wouldn't be attacked.

Which country did the US declare war on after Pearl Harbor?

Japan.

What was the main goal of the Allied Grand Strategy?

Establishing and maintaining a 3-way commitment: Russia, Britain, America.

Why was it important to secure the Atlantic during WWII?

Make sure supplies from America get through to Russia & Britain.

What was the plan to invade Fortress Europa?

Directly aggressively attack Hitler and Germany.

How were women involved in the war effort on the Home Front?

Women encouraged back into factories.

How did FDR urge African Americans to contribute on the Home Front during WWII?

Pushes for new legislation.

What controversial action was taken against Japanese Americans during WWII?

Internment camps for Japanese Americans.

Where is Midway Island located?

Island midway between Asia and US.

How was the US able to strategically use information to win the battle?

US broke Japanese code and discovered communication between Berlin and Japan.

What was the major outcome of the Battle of Midway?

They sunk 4 japanese aircraft carriers - now they can’t move forward into the pacific - turning point.

What was the Allied strategy in Guadalcanal?

Marines and army made plan - island hopping.

What was the main objective in Guadalcanal 1942?

Marines take airfield

Who was fighting in the Battle of the Atlantic?

Br and america destroyers vs. u boats, who controls supplies and trade.

What new technologies helped the allies during the Battle of the Atlantic?

Invention of radar (air) & sonar (water)

What was accomplished at Stalingrad?

Russian army (supplied by U.S.) stops german army.

What happened on D-Day?

Western allies invade france.

What was Iwo Jima and Okinawa's strategical relevance?

Last island invasion to get close to Japan - goal of island hopping.

What was the result of the occupation of Iwo Jima & Okinawa?

US Air Force can now reach Japan.

What was Einstein's role related to the Manhattan project?

Einstein says atomic power is more dangerous in Hitler’s hand

How did the fighting change as the US got closer to Japan?

Every additional battle is worse (closer to homeland)

Why was Truman's presence as a new president during this time so significant?

Truman is new president: people knew nothing about it & he himself is shocked.

What was happening to the Axis powers by the time of the Yalta Conference?

Continuous air bombings of Germany & Japan.

What made the Yalta Conference historically significant?

Last meeting of FDR, Stalin, & Churchill.

What promise did Stalin make regarding Eastern Europe at the Yalta Conference?

Stalin promised free elections in eastern europe.

Which 4 countries were originally planning to divide Germany?

Britain + USA + Soviet + French.

What did the UN improve on?

Improved failed League of Nations.

What was the purpose of the Nuremberg Trials?

Special trials for leading Nazi officials who were involved in the Holocaust.

What new charges were created for the Nuremberg Trials?

Crimes against humanity and genocide

Who headed the US occupation of Japan and what authority did he have?

Mac Arthur is governor (general of all of Japan) and his words supersedes the emperor.

How did the Japanese people react to the American occupation?

There was surprisingly little resistance from the Japanese people.

What concerning action were the Soviets doing in post-war Europe?

Soviets won’t leave eastern europe.

What was the state of Europe, Russia, and Japan after WWII?

Europe, Russia & Japan devastated.

What was the primary concern for Japan after WWII regarding foreign powers?

Dont care about U.S. victory or occupation, but is worried about what Russia wants.

Why was the US economy the strongest in the world after WWII?

It was not a battlefield.

What was the Marshall Plan?

Massive US relief program for europe.

Why was Truman so committed to helping Berliners reject communism?

Truman is convinced that Berliners are not Nazis and don't want communism, he can't abandon them to Russian occupation

How did Truman respond to the Berlin Blockade?

Truman sends tons of foods & supplies using cargo planes into Berlin.

Who was fighting in the Greek Civil War?

Royalists vs communists.

What was the Truman Doctrine?

Any country in the world that finds itself under attack from communist forces from outside the country, signal the U.S. and we will help.

How did the American public react to Russia getting the A-bomb?

Shocked, demoralized American public.

What happened in China in 1949?

China declares itself to be communist.

What was McCarthyism a reaction to?

Reaction to communist China, communism must be spreading, question of communist revolution inside US.

Why did Stalin send arms into northern Korea?

He did this to aid them in fighting against the Japanese.

Why did fighting breakout in Korea again so soon after WWII?

After the war people don’t all agree on how to run the country.

Why did the UN intervene in the Korean conflict?

Trying to show their authority.

How was the Korean peninsula divided?

They establish the 38th parallel

What major event happened in China in 1949 that heightened tensions during the Korean War?

China goes Communist.

Why did North Korea invade South Korea in 1950?

Deliberate attack to try and unite and form a communist korea.

Why was Truman unsure if they should intervene in the Korean war?

Korea is really far away and would take a lot of time and resources, so they need to think if they should aid - is it in their best interest?

Why did Truman call the Korean War a 'UN police action'?

Sounds better than calling it war, better for american public and congress.

Why did MacArthur want North Korea to surrender?

He thinks it is the only way to end the growing spread of communism to get rid of this government.

How did the Korean War end?

There is a stalemate for 3 years until they end the war back at the 38th parallel

What was the US military preparedness in the 1950s characterized by?

Large navy, smaller army, large air force.

What is the peacetime draft?

Requiring people to register even when there is no active conflict.

What was the significance of the vast increase in the nuclear arsenal?

Both have lots of H-Bombs, but can do lots of damage - scared to use.

What event led to increased emphasis on science and math education in the US?

Sputnik is launched, U.S. increase science and math education fervently bc they’re scared Russia is more advanced.

What comprised the 'TRIAD'?

Air force B-52 bombers, navy submarines, land-based silos.