2021 Live Review 7 | AP U.S. History | Period 7-B (1929 – 1945)

George Washington's Farewell Address Recommendations

  • Political Parties: Washington warns against political parties, believing they divert focus from national unity and strength.

  • Foreign Affairs: He advises against entangling alliances, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing domestic concerns.

Transition from Isolationism to Involvement

  • Initial adherence to Washington's advice on isolationism through the Monroe Doctrine and Roosevelt Corollary.

  • Change anticipated by the end of time period seven with the escalation of global conflicts.This shift is marked by events such as the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, which propelled the United States into World War II, fundamentally altering its foreign policy approach and leading to a commitment to international engagement.

Economic Context Leading to the Great Depression

  • Consumerism in the 1920s: Shift towards purchasing items on credit; concepts of installment plans and buying on margin.

  • Impact of Economic Practices: Buying on margin becomes risky as stock prices fluctuate; leads to a stock market crash in October 1929.

Agricultural and Banking Issues

  • Farmers in Crisis: Falling crop prices leading to financial failures among Midwest farmers.

  • Bank Failures: Unable to cash out deposits due to bank runs; no insurance on savings exacerbates the crisis.

  • Resulting in a widespread economic downturn commencing with the Great Depression.

Responses to the Economic Crisis

  • Herbert Hoover's Approach: Believed in laissez-faire economics; reluctant to involve government in direct relief efforts.

  • Action taken: Reconstruction Finance Corporation and public works projects like Hoover Dam.

Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal

  • Shift in Government Philosophy: Moving from laissez-faire to modern liberalism with the New Deal.

  • Examples of New Deal Programs:

    • FDIC: Insurance for bank deposits.

    • CCC: Civilian Conservation Corps for job creation.

    • TVA: Tennessee Valley Authority for regional development.

    • Social Security: Long-term support for individuals unable to work.

Dust Bowl and Migration

  • Environmental Impact: Severe drought and dominant dust storms in the 1930s affecting agriculture severely.

  • Migration Patterns: Farmers (often dubbed "Okies") migrating to California in search of work.

Impact of World War II

  • U.S. Isolationism: Continuing focus on economic recovery; avoidance of European conflicts until the late 1930s.

  • European Totalitarian Regimes: Rise of figures like Hitler and Mussolini leads to international tensions.

Path to War

  • Munich Agreement: Initial reluctance by Britain and France to confront Hitler; agreement leads to further aggression.

  • Pearl Harbor: Japanese attack on December 7, 1941, propels U.S. into active involvement in World War II.

Home Front During WWII

  • Fear of Insurgency: Concerns over Japanese American loyalty lead to internment camps.

  • Labor Market Changes: Need for workers prompts initiatives like the Bracero Program and new opportunities for women in factories.

Conclusion of World War II

  • Aftermath: Victory in Europe and Japan; implications for future U.S. foreign policy post-war.

  • Shift in International Role: Moving from isolationist policies towards engagement in international organizations like the United Nations and NATO.

Key Comparison Points

  • Response Differences for World Wars: Post-WWI isolationism to WWII involvement in international peacekeeping.

  • Shifts in Government Role: Movement towards a more active government involvement in economic and social welfare during the New Deal and post-WWII.