The Great Depression
What was FDR’s immediate response to the banking crisis?
He declared a bank holiday.
Why were the CCC and WPA considered effective programs?
They Created Jobs and improved infrastructure
What themes defined the Harlem Renaissance?
Cultural pride, artistic expression, and celebration of Black heritage.
Who were the “Okies”?
Farmers displaced by the Dust Bowl who moved to California.
Why were sit-down strikes effective?
Workers couldn’t be replaced and drew public attention.
What were two major causes of the Great Depression?
Tariffs, Overproduction, Margin Buying, Stock Speculation, Risky Loans, Risky Investments
What was the purpose of deficit spending during the Great Depression?
To stimulate economic growth and provide relief.
How was racism widespread in the 1920s?
Segregation laws, discrimination, and social prejudice.
Why did many Californians react negatively to the Okies?
Fear of job competition and prejudice.
How did harsh working conditions push some Americans toward socialism or communism?
Workers sought alternatives to capitalism due to exploitation and poor conditions.
Why did unemployment skyrocket after the stock market crash?
Business failures and decreased consumer demand led to layoffs.
What key difference separated Hoover’s and FDR’s views on government action?
Hoover wanted limited intervention; FDR supported active government involvement.
How did installment buying and mass production help Americans afford luxury items?
Allowed payment over time and lowered costs through efficiency.
What did the Indian Citizenship Act do?
Granted U.S. citizenship to Native Americans to encourage assimilation.
What were some negative effects or unintended consequences of Prohibition on American society?
It increased organized crime, bootlegging, corruption, and unsafe speakeasies.
What was the economic condition of farmers in the 1920s?
Declining prices, debt, and overproduction.
Why did many businesses oppose the TVA?
They saw it as government overreach threatening private business.
What cultural changes were reflected by figures like Louis Armstrong and Charlie Chaplin?
Social and cultural transformation in the 1920s.
What did the 1924 Immigration Act do? Especially from where?
Restricted immigration, especially from Southern and Eastern Europe.
How did Hoover’s policies contribute to the rise of Hoovervilles?
His limited response to the Depression left many homeless, leading to shantytowns.
What were the main causes of the Dust Bowl? (Three)
Severe drought, overproduction of crops, and high winds.
What was FDR’s Court Packing Plan and why was it controversial?
Adding Supreme Court justices to support New Deal laws; it faced backlash.
What message did the Tulsa Race Massacre send about racial tensions in America?
It showed the severity of racial violence and systemic racism.
What major event showed the government’s mishandling of veteran demands, damaging Hoover’s reputation?
The Bonus Army March.
How did the New Deal change the role of the federal government in American life?
It expanded government power, created social welfare programs, and regulated the economy.