History Great Depression Quizlet

Warren G. Harding

Focused on restoring pre-WWI stability and pro-business policies

Calvin Coolidge

Believed national success came from business prosperity and limited government involvement

Herbert Hoover

Promoted rugged individualism; argued people should solve their own problems without federal aid

Return to Normalcy

A push to restore traditional stability after WWI with minimal government intervention

Rugged Individualism

Belief that individuals should independently overcome economic challenges without federal help

19th Amendment

Granted women the right to vote nationwide

Treaty of Versailles Ratification Debate

A major political conflict over joining the League of Nations and accepting post-WWI terms

Teapot Dome Scandal

A corruption case involving illegal leasing of oil reserves in exchange for bribes

Scopes Trial

A famous case showing conflict between evolution science and religious fundamentalism

Modernity vs Fundamentalism

Cultural conflict between urban scientific beliefs and traditional rural religious values

Consumerism in the 1920s

A rise in spending driven by mass production and new credit systems

New Technology 1920s

Radios; cars; appliances; inventions that boosted buying and changed daily life

Harlem Renaissance

A cultural movement celebrating Black literature; art; and music

Black Nationalism

A movement promoting racial pride and economic independence

Rebirth of the KKK

A surge in white supremacist activity fueled by racism and nativism

Growth of Nativism

Increased hostility toward immigrants and preference for native-born Americans

Prohibition

A national ban on alcohol that caused illegal production and smuggling

Organized Crime in Prohibition

Criminal groups expanded by controlling illegal alcohol markets

The New Woman

A more independent female identity with new fashion choices; job opportunities; and social freedoms

Live Like There Is No Tomorrow

A 1920s mindset of partying; spending; and thrill-seeking reflected in the Great Gatsby

Laissez-Faire Economics

Belief that government should not interfere with business

Franklin D. Roosevelt

President who used bold federal action to fight the Great Depression and restore confidence

Causes of the Great Depression

Collapse in spending; credit misuse; bank failures; industrial decline; farm struggles

Collapse of Confidence

Widespread fear that caused people to stop spending and deepened the crisis

Consumer Spending Decline

A major drop in buying that pushed businesses into bankruptcy and increased unemployment

Industrial Decline

Factories cut production and eliminated jobs due to low demand

Black Tuesday

A major stock market crash exposing deep economic problems

Banking Crisis

Banks failed after bad loans and inability to return deposits; destroying public trust

Overproduction

Businesses produced more goods than buyers could afford; causing falling prices

Speculation

Risky financial investments made in hopes of quick profit

Deflation

A drop in prices that increased debt burdens and discouraged spending

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

A tariff that reduced global trade and worsened the Depression

Dust Bowl

A severe drought and erosion disaster that destroyed farmland and displaced families

Rural Collapse

Low crop prices; drought; and farm failures that devastated rural areas

Hoovervilles

Shantytowns built by people who lost homes during the Great Depression

New Deal

A group of programs providing relief; economic recovery; and financial reform

Three Rs

Relief for people; recovery for the economy; reform to prevent future crises

Hundred Days

Early period of FDR’s presidency when many major laws were passed quickly

Brain Trust

Advisors who helped design and shape New Deal policies

Black Cabinet

African American advisors who guided FDR on racial matters

Bank Holiday

Temporary closure of banks to stabilize the financial system and stop bank runs

Fireside Chats

Radio broadcasts FDR used to calm the public and explain policies

CCC

A program giving young men jobs in conservation and public land work

TVA

A program bringing electricity; jobs; and modernization to the Tennessee Valley

AAA

A program paying farmers to reduce crop output to stabilize agricultural prices

SEC

A federal agency regulating the stock market to prevent fraud

FDIC

Insurance guaranteeing bank deposits so people would not lose savings

NRA

A program setting fair prices; wages; and business rules to stabilize the economy

Going Off the Gold Standard

Policy allowing expansion of the money supply to fight deflation

WPA

A massive jobs program building infrastructure and supporting cultural projects