the great depression in the americas

Ib history paper 3

What were the main economic causes of the Great Depression in the Americas?

Overproduction, unequal wealth distribution, reliance on exports, stock market crash of 1929, and high tariffs like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff.

How did Herbert Hoover respond to the Great Depression?

He promoted limited government intervention, voluntary cooperation, and public works projects, but his efforts were widely seen as ineffective.

What were the three main goals of FDR's New Deal?

Relief (immediate aid), Recovery (economic revival), and Reform (prevent future depressions).

Name two New Deal programs and their purposes.

• CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps): Provided jobs for young men.

• SSA (Social Security Administration): Offered pensions and unemployment insurance.

Who were some critics of the New Deal and why?

Business leaders felt it expanded government too much; figures like Huey Long believed it didn't go far enough in helping the poor.

How did Mackenzie King initially respond to the Depression in Canada?

He was reluctant to provide federal aid, believing it was a provincial responsibility, which led to criticism.

What measures did R.B. Bennett take during his term?

Introduced relief camps and later proposed a Canadian "New Deal" with social welfare programs, but it was too late to regain support.

. What is Import Substitution Industrialization (ISI)?

An economic policy aiming to reduce foreign dependency by producing goods domestically, commonly adopted in Latin America during the Depression.

How did Getúlio Vargas address the Depression in Brazil?

He implemented ISI policies, promoted state-led industrialization, and expanded workers' rights to stabilize the economy.

What was the Concordancia in Argentina?

A conservative political alliance that initially focused on agricultural exports but later adopted ISI to support industrial growth.

How were African Americans affected by the Great Depression?

They faced higher unemployment rates, job discrimination, and were often the first to be laid off.

What impact did the Depression have on women?

Many entered the workforce out of necessity but faced discrimination and were often excluded from New Deal programs.

How did the Depression affect minorities like Mexican Americans and Native Americans?

Mexican Americans faced deportation; Native Americans saw mixed results from reforms like the Indian Reorganization Act.

How did photography reflect the era?

Photographers like Dorothea Lange captured the struggles of the time, with iconic images such as "Migrant Mother."

What role did movies play during the Depression?

Films provided an escape from daily hardships, with classics like "The Wizard of Oz" offering hope and entertainment.

How did radio influence American society in the 1930s?

Radio became a primary source of entertainment and information; FDR used it for his "Fireside Chats" to communicate directly with citizens.

What themes were prevalent in literature during the Depression?

Works often focused on poverty, resilience, and social injustice, exemplified by John Steinbeck's "The Grapes of Wrath."

CCC – Civilian Conservation Corps

What it did: Gave jobs to young men to plant trees, build parks, and work on conservation projects.
Goal: Relief (reduce unemployment).

WPA – Works Progress Administration

What it did: Employed millions to build roads, schools, bridges, and supported artists, writers, and musicians.
Goal: Relief & Recovery.

SSA – Social Security Act

What it did: Provided pensions for the elderly, unemployment insurance, and aid to disabled people.
Goal: Reform.

FDIC – Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

What it did: Insured bank deposits so people wouldn’t lose money if a bank failed.
Goal: Reform (restore trust in banks).

SEC – Securities and Exchange Commission

What it did: Regulated the stock market to prevent fraud and abuse.
Goal: Reform.

TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority

What it did: Built dams and power plants to provide cheap electricity and prevent floods in the Tennessee Valley.
Goal: Relief & Recovery.

NIRA – National Industrial Recovery Act

What it did: Encouraged fair wages and working conditions, and allowed industries to set prices together.
Goal: Recovery (declared unconstitutional in 1935).

AAA – Agricultural Adjustment Act

What it did: Paid farmers to reduce crop production to raise prices.
Goal: Recovery.

Who made the New Deal

Franklin D. Roosevelt