Untitled Flashcards Set

Multiple Choice Section:

  1. What was the first major action FDR took when he became president?
    He declared a Bank Holiday to inspect the health of banks.

  2. What were the goals of the New Deal?
    Relief for the needy, economic recovery, and financial reform.

  3. What New Deal programs were directly responsible for creating jobs and putting people to work?
    The Works Progress Administration (WPA), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and Public Works Administration (PWA).

  4. What was the goal of the AAA?
    To raise crop prices by reducing agricultural production.

  5. What reached unprecedented levels (height) as a result of New Deal spending?
    The federal deficit.

  6. Which of FDR’s ideas was rejected and failed to become law?
    His "court-packing" plan to add more justices to the Supreme Court.

  7. What caused FDR to be compassionate and strong all at the same time?
    His personal struggle with polio.

  8. Describe the causes of the Depression. What was the Bonus Army?
    Causes: Stock market crash, bank failures, reduced consumer spending, and agricultural overproduction. The Bonus Army was a group of WWI veterans who marched to demand early payment of their promised bonuses.

  9. What caused the Dust Bowl?
    Severe drought and poor farming practices that led to soil erosion.

  10. What did the Social Security Act of 1935 do?
    It provided pensions for retirees, unemployment insurance, and aid for disabled individuals and dependent children.

  11. How did FDR try to “fix” the Supreme Court?
    He proposed adding more justices to the court to secure support for New Deal policies.

  12. What is deficit spending?
    Spending more money than the government collects in revenue to stimulate the economy.

  13. What is “Direct Relief?”
    Government-provided financial or food assistance to the needy.

  14. Describe the CCC and what it did:
    The Civilian Conservation Corps employed young men in projects like reforestation, park development, and flood control.

  15. How did New Deal policies affect agriculture?
    They provided subsidies to farmers to reduce production and stabilize prices.

  16. Who was Huey Long and what was his program?
    He was a Louisiana politician who proposed the "Share Our Wealth" program to redistribute wealth more equally.

  17. Describe FERA & what it did:
    The Federal Emergency Relief Administration provided direct aid to states to distribute to the needy.

  18. What was FDR’s “Court Packing” scheme?
    A plan to increase the number of Supreme Court justices to ensure favorable rulings for New Deal legislation.

  19. What was the most successful New Deal Program which had the biggest long-term impact on the American economy?
    The Social Security Act.

  20. Which New Deal program greatly helped the environment?
    The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC).


Define:

  • Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC): Helped homeowners refinance mortgages to prevent foreclosures.

  • Social Security Act: Provided pensions, unemployment insurance, and assistance for the disabled and dependent children.

  • Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): Reduced crop surplus to raise agricultural prices.

  • Emergency Banking Relief Act: Allowed the government to inspect and stabilize banks.

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

  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Developed the Tennessee Valley through dams and electrification.

  • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Insured bank deposits to restore trust in the banking system.

  • National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): Enforced labor rights and collective bargaining.

  • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Regulated the stock market and prevented fraud.

  • Works Progress Administration (WPA): Created jobs in public works and arts projects.




Written Section:

Relief:

  • Definition: Immediate assistance to alleviate suffering.

  • Example of legislation which provided Relief: Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA).

  • Explanation: FERA provided funds to states for food, shelter, and other basic needs.

Recovery:

  • Definition: Programs aimed at economic recovery and job creation.

  • Example of legislation which provided Recovery: Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA).

  • Explanation: The AAA helped stabilize farm prices and incomes.

Reform:

  • Definition: Measures to prevent future economic disasters.

  • Example of legislation which provided Reform: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

  • Explanation: FDIC restored trust in banks by insuring deposits.



NO CASH:
During the Great Depression (1929–1939), many Americans faced extreme financial hardship. Banks failed, businesses closed, and millions of people lost their jobs. Without income, families had no money ("no cash") to buy basic necessities like food, clothing, or pay rent. This lack of cash severely limited economic activity and created widespread poverty across the country.

Criticisms of the New Deal:
The New Deal, introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, aimed to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression. However, it faced criticism from different groups:

  • Conservatives argued it gave the federal government too much control over the economy, reducing individual freedoms.

  • Business leaders disliked regulations and taxes imposed on companies.

  • Others, like labor unions and activists, thought the New Deal didn’t go far enough to help the poorest citizens or address racial inequality.

Successes of the New Deal:
Despite criticisms, the New Deal is often praised for providing relief to millions of struggling Americans. Key successes include:

  • Creating jobs through programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

  • Stabilizing the banking system through reforms like the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).

  • Providing long-term security with programs like Social Security, which helped elderly and unemployed people.

  • Restoring public confidence in the government during a time of crisis.

Dust Bowl:
The Dust Bowl was an environmental disaster in the 1930s caused by severe drought and poor farming practices in the Great Plains (Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, etc.). Without water or plant roots to hold the soil, strong winds created massive dust storms that destroyed farmland. Many farmers were unable to grow crops, leading to economic ruin. Thousands of families, often called "Okies," were forced to migrate westward, particularly to California, in search of work and better living conditions. This event highlighted the need for better soil conservation practices, which became part of New Deal programs.