Untitled Flashcards Set

CHAPTER 31 - KEY TERMS AND PEOPLE

Adkins v. Children’s Hospital

● Definition: A 1923 Supreme Court case that invalidated a minimum wage law for women in the District

of Columbia, arguing that it violated the liberty of contract.

● Context: This decision reflected the conservative judicial philosophy of the time, which favored

business interests and limited government intervention in the economy.

Nine-Power Treaty

● Definition: A 1922 agreement among nine nations, including the U.S., Japan, and several European

powers, to uphold the Open Door Policy in China and respect its territorial integrity.

● Context: The treaty aimed to prevent conflict over China and promote stability in the region, reflecting

the U.S. interest in maintaining trade access.

Kellogg-Briand Pact

● Definition: A 1928 international agreement that condemned war as a means of resolving disputes and

called for peaceful conflict resolution.

● Context: While it was signed by numerous nations, the pact ultimately lacked enforcement mechanisms,

highlighting the challenges of maintaining peace in the interwar period.

Fordney-McCumber Tariff Law

● Definition: A 1922 tariff law that raised duties on imports to protect American industry.

● Context: This law contributed to the rise of protectionism in the U.S. and strained international trade

relations, as other countries retaliated with their own tariffs.

Teapot Dome Scandal

● Definition: A major political scandal involving the illegal leasing of federal oil reserves at Teapot

Dome, Wyoming, and Elk Hills, California, during the Harding administration.

● Context: The scandal, which implicated Secretary of the Interior Albert B. Fall, highlighted corruption

in government and led to a loss of public trust in the Harding administration.

McNary-Haugen Bill

● Definition: A proposed piece of legislation aimed at raising the prices of agricultural products by

government purchase and sale.

● Context: Although it passed Congress twice, it was vetoed by President Coolidge, reflecting the

tensions between agricultural interests and the government’s economic policies.

Dawes Plan

● Definition: A 1924 plan to restructure Germany's reparations payments after World War I, which

involved loans from the U.S. to stabilize the German economy.

● Context: The plan aimed to ease the economic burden on Germany and promote stability in Europe, but

it ultimately contributed to the cycle of debt and economic instability.

Agricultural Marketing Act

● Definition: A 1929 law that established the Federal Farm Board to help stabilize prices and promote

agricultural products.

● Context: This act was an attempt to address the agricultural crisis of the 1920s, but it struggled to

effectively manage the oversupply of crops.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

● Definition: A 1930 tariff law that raised duties on imports to historically high levels, exacerbating the

Great Depression.

● Context: The tariff led to retaliatory measures from other countries, further reducing international trade

and worsening economic conditions.

Black Tuesday

● Definition: The stock market crash on October 29, 1929, marking the beginning of the Great

Depression.

● Context: This event triggered widespread economic turmoil, leading to bank failures, unemployment,

and a significant decline in consumer confidence.

Hoovervilles

● Definition: Shantytowns that emerged during the Great Depression, named derisively after President

Herbert Hoover.

● Context: These makeshift communities reflected the widespread poverty and homelessness resulting

from the economic crisis.

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

● Definition: A government agency created in 1932 to provide financial support to banks, businesses, and

state governments during the Great Depression.

● Context: The RFC aimed to stimulate the economy by providing loans, but it faced criticism for not

doing enough to help ordinary citizens.

Norris-LaGuardia Anti-Injunction Act

● Definition: A 1932 law that restricted the use of court injunctions against nonviolent labor strikes and

protests.

● Context: This act was significant in protecting workers' rights to organize and strike, reflecting the

growing labor movement during the Great Depression.

Bonus Army

● Definition: A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand

early payment of bonuses promised to them.

● Context: The government's violent response to the Bonus Army's protest highlighted the desperation of

veterans and the government's unwillingness to address the economic crisis.

PEOPLE

Warren G. Harding

● Definition: The 29th President of the United States (1921-1923), known for his "return to normalcy"

and the scandals that plagued his administration.

● Context: Harding's presidency was marked by corruption and economic challenges, culminating in his

death in office and the subsequent revelations of scandals.

Albert B. Fall

● Definition: Secretary of the Interior under Harding, he was implicated in the Teapot Dome scandal and

became the first cabinet member to be convicted of a crime.

● Context: Fall's actions exemplified the corruption within the Harding administration and contributed to

the public's disillusionment with government.

Calvin Coolidge

● Definition: The 30th President of the United States (1923-1929), known for his laissez-faire economic

policies and belief in minimal government intervention.

● Context: Coolidge's presidency continued the pro-business policies of Harding, but his inaction during

the onset of the Great Depression drew criticism.

John W. Davis

● Definition: The Democratic candidate for president in 1924, he was a corporate lawyer and former U.S.

Solicitor General.

● Context: Davis's candidacy reflected the divisions within the Democratic Party and the challenges of

appealing to a diverse electorate.

Alfred E. “Al” Smith

● Definition: The first Catholic presidential candidate from a major party, he ran for president in 1928.

● Context: Smith's candidacy marked a significant moment in American politics, as it challenged

religious and ethnic prejudices, though he ultimately lost to Herbert Hoover.