Unit 3: Great Depression and World War II

  1. Interrelated Problems of the Great Depression

    • Stock market crash of 1929.

    • Bank failures: Over one million banks closed between 1932–1939.

    • Deflation: Lowered prices and wages.

    • Agricultural overproduction: Caused farm prices to collapse.

    • Credit contraction: Banks stopped lending money.

    • Mass unemployment: Widespread poverty ensued.

  2. Possible Explanations for the Causes of the Great Depression

    • Over-speculation in the stock market during the 1920s.

    • Deflation and contraction of credit following the crash.

    • Agricultural over-expansion: Farmers produced more than the market could support.

  3. President Herbert Hoover’s Attempts Against the Great Depression

    • Signing farm relief laws.

    • Encouraging wage controls.

    • Increasing public works spending.

    • Implementing tax cuts early in the crisis.

    • Passing the Smoot-Hawley Tariff.

    • Providing bailouts to banks and states.

    • Hoover’s actions show he did not strictly adhere to laissez-faire policies, as he employed government spending and intervention.

  4. Smoot-Hawley Tariff

    • Raised tariff rates on imported goods to protect American industries.

    • Backfired as other countries retaliated by raising tariffs, reducing international trade and worsening the global depression.

  5. Actions Hoover Was Unwilling to Take

    • Provide direct federal aid to individual citizens.

    • Force industries to cooperate; he preferred persuasion.

    • He opted to give money to states or institutions rather than individuals.

  6. Bonus Army

    • Group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington for early payment of promised bonuses.

    • Hoover’s handling, particularly through force, damaged his reputation as he appeared uncaring towards struggling veterans.

  7. Hooverville

    • Shantytown built by homeless individuals during the depression.

    • The term illustrated public blame directed at Hoover for the economic crisis.

  8. Hoover as a "Forgotten Progressive"

    • Joan Hoff Wilson argued that Hoover supported government intervention and reform, similar to Progressive leaders, contrary to popular belief.

  9. New Deal

    • Series of programs and reforms by Franklin Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression.

    • Richard Hofstadter called it a “chaos of experimentation” due to the rapid development of various programs.

  10. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

    • Employed young men on conservation projects: building parks, planting trees, soil conservation, flood control.

    • Young unemployed men were eligible.

    • Served as a rehearsal for WWII through organized camps and military discipline.

  11. Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)

    • Paid farmers to reduce production to raise crop prices.

    • Problems:

      • Farmers destroyed crops while people were hungry.

      • Benefits primarily went to large farmers.

      • Displaced tenant farmers and sharecroppers.

      • Increased government control over agriculture.

      • Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court.

  12. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

    • Positive effects: built dams creating jobs, provided rural electricity, improved flood control and agriculture.

    • Negative: government competition with private power companies.

  13. National Recovery Administration (NRA)

    • Regulated industry by setting wages, prices, and production levels to stabilize the economy.

    • Problems:

      • Excessive government regulation.

      • Difficult for businesses to comply.

      • Eventually declared unconstitutional.

  14. Key Figures of the Era

    • Charles Coughlin: Priest who criticized Roosevelt and the New Deal on the radio.

    • Francis Townsend: Proposed the Townsend Plan, providing $200 monthly to retirees to stimulate the economy.

    • Huey Long: Proposed the Share Our Wealth plan, heavily taxing the wealthy to provide a minimum income for all.

  15. Works Progress Administration (WPA)

    • Sponsored projects for jobs building roads, bridges, and public works, and supported artists and writers.

  16. Republican Nomination 1936

    • Alf Landon was nominated, but Roosevelt won in a landslide.

  17. Court-Packing Scheme

    • FDR proposed adding more justices to the Supreme Court to influence New Deal support after some programs were struck down; this plan failed and damaged his political reputation.

  18. Economy in 1937

    • Experienced another recession known as the Roosevelt Recession, indicating the New Deal did not resolve the Great Depression.

  19. Key Events

    • War of the Worlds broadcast (1938): Caused panic among listeners, believing in a real invasion.

    • Franksgiving: Roosevelt moved Thanksgiving earlier, some states resisted the change.

  20. Legacy of the New Deal

    • Offered hope, improved infrastructure, and established lasting programs like Social Security, but did not end the Great Depression; full employment was only restored by WWII industrial demand.

  1. Japanese Involvement in Manchuria (1931–1933)

  • Japan invaded and occupied Manchuria to gain resources, violating international agreements like the Kellogg-Briand Pact.

  1. The Rape of Nanking

  • The Rape of Nanking was a massacre by Japanese forces in China where over 200,000 civilians were killed. During this period, Japan also attacked the American gunboat USS Panay.

  1. Munich Agreement

  • An agreement allowing Germany to annex the Sudetenland from Czechoslovakia in hopes of avoiding war.

  1. Summary of WWII in Europe (Sept 1939–June 1940)

  • Germany invaded Poland in September 1939, starting the war. Germany quickly conquered several countries. By June 1940 France had fallen, leaving Britain to continue the fight.

  1. Republican Nomination in 1940

  • Republicans nominated Wendell Willkie. Roosevelt won the election. This was unprecedented because he ran for a third presidential term.

  1. Destroyers-for-Bases Deal

  • The U.S. traded 50 destroyers to Britain in exchange for military base rights.

  1. Lend-Lease Plan

  • A program allowing the U.S. to supply weapons and materials to Allied nations fighting the Axis.

  1. Reasons for Japan's Attack on Pearl Harbor

  • Japan wanted to destroy the U.S. Pacific Fleet so it could expand in Asia without American interference.

  1. Damage at Pearl Harbor and Fate of the USS Arizona

  • Many ships and aircraft were destroyed or damaged. The USS Arizona exploded and sank, killing over 1,100 sailors.

  1. Reasons the Attack Was Less Damaging Than It Seemed

  • American aircraft carriers were not at Pearl Harbor. Important fuel depots and repair facilities survived. The attack united the American public behind the war effort.

  1. Pearl Harbor Conspiracy Theory and Problems with It

  • Some claim Roosevelt knew the attack would happen. Problems with this theory include: Lack of solid evidence. Intelligence was incomplete and confusing. Risking the Pacific Fleet would have been extremely dangerous. American forces were not prepared for the attack. Many Americans were killed, which would not make sense if it were intentional.

  1. Allied Bombing Campaign Contributions

  • Forced Germany to divert resources to air defense. Severely damaged the Luftwaffe. Reduced Germany’s oil supply. Slowed the German economy.

  1. Role of Jimmy Stewart

  • The Hollywood actor served as a bomber pilot and officer, flying combat missions over Europe.

  1. Dwight Eisenhower

  • Dwight “Ike” Eisenhower was the Supreme Allied Commander in Europe. His name means “Iron Cutter,” fitting for someone leading the fight against Germany.

  1. Outcomes of North Africa, Sicily, and Italy Invasions

  • North Africa: successful Allied victory. Sicily: captured but many Germans escaped. Italy: campaign lasted the rest of the war.

  1. Describe D-Day

  • The Normandy invasion (Operation Overlord) in June 1944 opened a Western front against Germany. It is called D-Day because it refers to the designated start day of a military operation.

  1. Battle of the Bulge Outcome

  • Germany launched a last major offensive but was defeated. The battle accelerated the end of the war in Europe.

  1. Identify the Holocaust

  • The systematic genocide of about six million Jews and millions of others by Nazi Germany during World War II.

  1. Identify: Douglas MacArthur

  • U.S. general who commanded Allied forces in the Pacific.

  1. Chester Nimitz

  • Commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet.

  1. Japanese Offensive in the South Pacific (1941–42)

  • Japan rapidly conquered territory across Asia and the Pacific, including the Philippines and parts of Southeast Asia.

  1. Bataan Death March

  • Captured American and Filipino soldiers were forced to march long distances by Japanese forces, suffering starvation and brutality.

  1. Identify: Battle of Midway

  • U.S. destroyed four Japanese carriers, turning point in Pacific war.

  • Battle of Guadalcanal

  • First major Allied offensive against Japan.

  • Island Hopping

  • Strategy of capturing key islands while bypassing others.

  • Kamikaze

  • Japanese suicide pilots who crashed planes into Allied ships.

  1. Why Raise a Second Flag on Iwo Jima?

  • The first flag was small, so Marines raised a larger flag so it could be seen across the island.

  1. Post-War Struggles of Ira Hayes

  • He suffered from fame and personal struggles and eventually died from alcoholism.

  1. Fate of Mike Strank, Harlon Block, and Franklin Sousley

  • All three Marines died during the Battle of Iwo Jima.

  1. Battle of Okinawa Significance

  • One of the bloodiest Pacific battles and showed how costly an invasion of Japan would be.

  1. Identify: Jack Benny

  • Popular radio comedian.

  • Glenn Miller

  • Famous big band leader who died during the war.

  • Andrews Sisters

  • Popular singing trio supporting the war effort.

  1. Identify: Navajo Code Talkers

  • Used Navajo language to send secure military messages.

  • Tuskegee Airmen

  • African American fighter pilots.

  • 442nd Infantry Regiment

  • Japanese-American unit that became one of the most decorated.

  1. African American Defense Workers vs Servicemen

  • Defense workers gained more opportunities in factories, but African-American soldiers still served in segregated military units.

  1. Role of Women in Defense Industry

  • Women worked in factories producing war equipment. Rosie the Riveter symbolized women entering industrial jobs during the war.

  1. Effect of Rationing

  • Rationing limited goods like gas and food, ensuring supplies for the military and reducing consumer consumption.

  1. Historical Significance of Executive Order 9066

  • Allowed the internment of about 166,000 Japanese Americans due to fear and distrust after Pearl Harbor.

  1. Identify: G.I. Bill of Rights

  • Provided veterans with education, loans, and benefits.

  • Baby Boom

  • Rapid population growth after WWII.

  1. Change in Leadership April 1945

  • Franklin Roosevelt died and Harry Truman became president.

  1. Manhattan Project and Robert Oppenheimer

  • The Manhattan Project developed the atomic bomb. Robert Oppenheimer was the lead scientist.

  1. Two Cities Bombed

  • Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

  1. Reaction of the Japanese Council of Six

  • They were divided about surrendering, leading to debate within the government.

  1. Significance of Attempted Coup

  • Hardline officers attempted to stop surrender but failed, allowing Japan to accept defeat.

  1. Problems with Invading Japan

  • Massive U.S. and Japanese casualties expected. Intense resistance expected. Production of body bags and Purple Hearts showed huge losses were anticipated.

  1. Problems if Soviets Invaded Japan

  • Brutal fighting. Heavy Japanese casualties. Possibility of Japan becoming communist.

  1. Problems if the U.S. Delayed Surrender

  • Continued suffering in occupied territories. More deaths in China. Risk of starvation in Japan.

  1. Henry Stimson’s View

  • He argued the atomic bomb was the least abhorrent choice to end the war quickly and save lives.

  1. Who Led the Occupation of Japan?

  • Douglas MacArthur, who helped establish democratic political reforms.

  1. What is the Only Thing We Have to Fear?

  • “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He referenced the Bible when calling for faith and courage in difficult times.

  1. What was the Good Neighbor Policy?

  • A policy promising better relations and non-intervention in Latin America.

  1. Significance of Singing “America”

  • An African American singer performing a patriotic song at the Lincoln Memorial challenged racial discrimination.

  1. Significance of Singing Spirituals

  • Christian spirituals reflected the religious faith and history of African Americans.

  1. How Did Roosevelt Describe the Ordeal Facing Soldiers?

  • He described the invasion as a long and difficult struggle against a powerful enemy.

  1. What Blessings Did Roosevelt Ask from God?

  • He prayed for: Protection for soldiers, Strength and courage, Victory for the cause of freedom.