Studyguide 1

Emergency Banking Act (1933): Enacted during the peak of the Great Depression, this act aimed to stabilize the collapsing banking system. Prompted by a nationwide banking crisis, President Franklin D. Roosevelt declared a "bank holiday," temporarily closing all banks. The Emergency Banking Act provided for the reopening of banks under strict federal supervision, allowing only those deemed solvent to resume operations. It also authorized the issuance of Federal Reserve Bank notes to provide liquidity and established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to insure deposits. This restored public confidence in banks and helped stem the tide of bank runs.

The

Hundred Days: Refers to the initial period of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency, from March to June 1933, marked by an unprecedented flurry of legislative activity and executive action. During this time, Roosevelt and Congress enacted a series of landmark New Deal programs to combat the Great Depression. Key initiatives included the Emergency Banking Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA). These measures aimed to provide relief to the unemployed, stimulate economic recovery, and reform the financial system.

National Recovery Administration (1933): Established as a central component of the New Deal, the NRA sought to promote cooperation between businesses and workers to combat the Depression. It aimed to eliminate cutthroat competition by establishing codes of fair practice that set prices, wages, and production quotas. These codes were intended to stabilize industries, protect workers' rights, and promote fair competition. However, the NRA faced criticism for its complexity, enforcement challenges, and potential for monopolistic practices. In 1935, the Supreme Court declared the NRA unconstitutional, ruling that it exceeded the federal government's authority to regulate interstate commerce.

Civilian Conservation Corps (1933): A public work relief program that provided employment for young, unmarried men during the Depression. The CCC engaged these workers in projects related to conservation and development of natural resources in rural areas. Workers planted trees, built dams, constructed trails, and improved parks, contributing to environmental protection and conservation efforts. The CCC not only provided jobs and vocational training but also instilled discipline and a sense of purpose in its enrollees. It was one of the most popular and successful New Deal programs.

Public Works Administration (1933): Another New Deal agency, the PWA focused on creating employment through large-scale public works projects. Unlike the CCC, the PWA contracted with private construction companies to build infrastructure such as bridges, dams, schools, hospitals, and public buildings. These projects stimulated economic activity, created jobs for skilled workers, and provided long-term benefits to communities across the country. The PWA played a crucial role in modernizing America's infrastructure and promoting economic recovery.

Share our Wealth Movement (1934): Led by Louisiana Governor and Senator Huey Long, this populist movement emerged as a challenge to Roosevelt's New Deal from the left. Long advocated for a radical redistribution of wealth through measures such as heavy taxation on the wealthy and guaranteed minimum incomes for all Americans. Long's slogan, "Every Man a King," captured the movement's promise of economic security and social justice for all Americans. While Long's assassination in 1935 curtailed the movement's growth, it highlighted the widespread discontent with economic inequality during the Depression.

Social Security Act (1935): Landmark legislation that established a social insurance program providing old-age pensions, unemployment compensation, and aid to families with dependent children. Funded through payroll taxes, Social Security provided a safety net for vulnerable populations and became a cornerstone of the American welfare state. The act has been amended and expanded over the years to include disability insurance, Medicare, and other benefits, reflecting its enduring importance in providing economic security to Americans.

Court-packing plan (1936): Faced with Supreme Court opposition to several New Deal programs, President Roosevelt proposed a plan to expand the Court by adding justices more sympathetic to his policies. This controversial proposal, known as the "court-packing plan," sought to increase the number of justices from nine to fifteen, thereby allowing Roosevelt to appoint additional judges who would uphold his legislative agenda. However, the plan triggered intense controversy and opposition, as critics feared it would undermine the independence of the judiciary. Roosevelt eventually backed down from the plan, but the episode influenced the Court's subsequent decisions regarding New Deal legislation.

Scottsboro Boys (1931): This case involved nine African American teenagers falsely accused of raping two white women in Alabama during the Jim Crow era. The Scottsboro Boys faced biased trials, all-white juries, and coerced confessions, highlighting the deep-seated racism and injustice in the American South. Despite clear evidence of their innocence, the defendants were convicted and sentenced to death. The case became a cause célèbre, attracting national and international attention and leading to significant legal battles and appeals. While some of the defendants were eventually exonerated, the Scottsboro Boys case remains a stark reminder of racial discrimination and the denial of justice in the American legal system.

Four Freedoms: Articulated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in his 1941 State of the Union address, these were fundamental rights that people "everywhere in the world" ought to enjoy: Freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. Roosevelt proclaimed these freedoms as a vision for a world free from tyranny and oppression, and they served as a moral framework for American involvement in World War II. The Four Freedoms speech inspired Americans and Allied forces, shaping the post-war world's aspirations for human rights and international cooperation.