Depression new deal quiz

IDENTIFY:

• STOCK MARKET CRASH: The stock market crash of October 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression. Stock prices plummeted, wiping out millions of dollars in wealth. This event triggered economic collapse, widespread unemployment, and severe poverty.

• HERBERT HOOVER: The 31st president of the United States (1929-1933), Hoover was in office when the Great Depression began. His administration was criticized for not doing enough to address the economic crisis, as he believed in limited government intervention.

• HOOVERVILLES: Shanty Towns that sprang up during the Great Depression, named derisively after President Hoover. People who were homeless or struggling to survive built these makeshift communities out of scrap materials.

• BONUS ARMY: A group of World War I veterans who marched to Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of a bonus promised to them for their service. The protest was forcibly dispersed by the U.S. Army under orders from Hoover, leading to widespread public criticism.

• FDR: Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States (1933-1945), is known for leading the country through the Great Depression with his New Deal programs and later through World War II. His leadership helped restore confidence in the government.

• FIRST 100 DAYS: The first 100 days of FDR's presidency (March 4, 1933 – June 16, 1933) were a time of intense legislative activity aimed at addressing the economic crisis. Key actions included passing a series of relief, recovery, and reform measures to stabilize the economy.

• BANK HOLIDAY: A temporary closure of all U.S. banks, announced by FDR on March 6, 1933, to stop panic withdrawals and stabilize the banking system. This was part of the emergency actions taken in the first days of the New Deal.

• NEW DEAL: A series of programs, public works projects, and financial reforms implemented by FDR in response to the Great Depression. The New Deal aimed to provide relief for the unemployed, recovery for the economy, and reforms to prevent future depressions.

• FIRESIDE CHATS: A series of radio broadcasts by FDR where he communicated directly with the American people, explaining his policies and reassuring them about his leadership. These chats helped foster a sense of connection and trust.

• BRAIN TRUST: A group of intellectuals, economists, and policy advisors who helped FDR develop his New Deal programs. The Brain Trust was crucial in crafting many of the early policies and reforms.

• BLACK THURSDAY:

• FRANCES PERKINS: The first woman to serve in a U.S. presidential cabinet (Secretary of Labor under FDR). She played a key role in the creation of Social Security and other New Deal labor reforms.

• ALPHABET ACTS: A term used to describe the various New Deal agencies, many of which were acronyms three categories are relief, recovery ,reform.  and . Key agencies included:

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

  • SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): Regulated the stock market to prevent fraud and manipulation.

  • CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps): Provided jobs in public works and conservation efforts to young men.

  • WPA (Works Progress Administration): Employed millions in public works projects, including construction and the arts.

  • NIRA (National Industrial Recovery Act): Aimed to stimulate industry and regulate labor practices, but was later declared unconstitutional.

  • AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act): Aimed to boost agricultural prices by reducing production and paying farmers to limit crop acreage.

  • SSA (Social Security Act): Established social insurance for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled.

  • TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority): Aimed to modernize the economy of the Tennessee Valley through infrastructure projects like dams and power plants.

• WILLIAM LEMKE: A political figure and critic of FDR. Lemke advocated for a more radical approach to addressing the economic crisis, including stronger support for farmers.

• DR. TOWNSHEND: Dr. Francis Townsend proposed a pension plan for the elderly, which inspired the Social Security Act. His plan called for giving $200 per month to citizens over 60, provided they spent it within 30 days.

• FR. COUGHLIN: A Catholic priest who became a vocal critic of FDR's New Deal. Initially supportive of FDR, he later turned against him, promoting his own populist and sometimes anti-Semitic views.

• HUEY LONG: A Louisiana senator and governor who advocated for a "Share Our Wealth" program, which aimed to redistribute wealth by taxing the rich. He was a populist leader who opposed FDR's policies.

• COURT PACKING: FDR's controversial proposal in 1937 to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court. He wanted to appoint additional justices who would support his New Deal policies. This move was widely criticized and seen as an attempt to undermine judicial independence.

MAIN CONCEPTS:

• WHY DID FDR WIN IN 1932?
  FDR won the 1932 election in a landslide primarily due to widespread dissatisfaction with Herbert Hoover's handling of the Great Depression. Many Americans were desperate for change, and FDR's message of hope and action resonated with the public. FDR's optimistic personality and his promise of the New Deal attracted voters across political and regional lines.

• WHAT WERE THE “FIRST HUNDRED DAYS?” GIVE SOME EXAMPLES OF WHAT HAPPENED.
  The First 100 Days refer to the initial period of FDR's presidency in which he introduced an unprecedented number of legislative reforms aimed at addressing the Great Depression. Examples include:

  • Bank Holiday to stabilize the banking system.

  • Fireside Chats to reassure the public.

  • NIRA (National Industrial Recovery Act) to stimulate industrial recovery.

  • CCC provides jobs for young men in public works.

• WHAT CRITICISM DID FDR GET FROM BOTH THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT ON THE NEW DEAL?

  • From the left, FDR was criticized for not doing enough to radically change the system. Figures like Huey Long and Dr. Townsend believed the New Deal didn't go far enough in redistributing wealth.

  • From the right, FDR was criticized for expanding the role of the federal government, leading to concerns about socialism, increased taxation, and excessive regulation.

• WHAT WAS THE ROLE OF ELEANOR ROOSEVELT AS FIRST LADY? HOW WAS THIS DIFFERENT THAN PAST WOMEN IN THE SAME POSITION?
  Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of First Lady by being actively involved in politics, advocating for civil rights, women's rights, and social justice. She held regular press conferences, wrote a daily newspaper column, and spoke out on behalf of marginalized groups, making her much more politically engaged than previous First Ladies.

• HOW DID THE NEW DEAL IMPACT WOMEN?
  The New Deal created new opportunities for women in the workforce, especially in public service and government roles. Key figures like Frances Perkins (Secretary of Labor) helped influence policies that benefited women, including labor laws and social security. However, many programs still had gendered limitations, with certain jobs being reserved for men.

• HOW DID THE NEW DEAL IMPACT MINORITIES?
  The New Deal had mixed results for minorities. On one hand, programs like the WPA and CCC provided some employment opportunities. On the other hand, many New Deal policies and agencies, such as the AAA, often discriminated against African Americans, who were excluded from benefits or paid less. Nonetheless, FDR's administration made some efforts to address racial inequality, and Eleanor Roosevelt was a staunch advocate for civil rights.

• WHAT PROBLEMS WERE CREATED FOR THE NEW DEAL BY THE SUPREME COURT? HOW DID FDR RESPOND?
  The Supreme Court struck down several New Deal programs as unconstitutional, including the NIRA and the AAA. FDR responded by proposing the Court Packing Plan in 1937, which sought to add more justices to the Supreme Court to secure support for his policies. This move was highly controversial and faced strong opposition from both political parties, ultimately leading to a compromise in the form of more favorable court rulings.

• WERE THERE REGIONAL DIFFERENCES TO NEW DEAL? EXPLAIN?
  Yes, there were regional differences in how the New Deal was implemented and perceived. The South, for example, benefited less from certain New Deal programs due to entrenched racial segregation and conservative politics. In contrast, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) brought significant infrastructure and power development to the Southeast. Similarly, farmers in the Midwest received more direct aid through programs like the AAA.

• WHAT ENDED THE NEW DEAL? WAS IT SUCCESSFUL? WHY OR WHY NOT?