1920's/Great Depression Vocabulary

Question 1

Communism

Answer 1

An economic and political system in which the government owns the means of production and distribution of goods, and wealth is distributed according to need, rather than individual profit. It advocates for a classless society.

Question 2

Capitalism

Answer 2

An economic system where private individuals or corporations own and operate the means of production and distribution of goods and services. Profit is driven by market competition and private ownership.

Question 3

Red Scare

Answer 3

A period of intense fear and suspicion of communism and radical leftist ideologies in the U.S., particularly after World War I.

Question 4

Consumer Revolution

Answer 4

A period in the early 20th century, especially the 1920s, when mass production of goods and new technologies led to increased consumer demand and spending, transforming American society.

Question 5

Installment Buying

Answer 5

A method of purchasing goods through a series of small payments over time rather than paying the full price upfront, which became popular in the 1920s.

Question 6

Harlem Renaissance

Answer 6

A cultural, artistic, and intellectual movement centered in Harlem, New York, during the 1920s, celebrating African American culture, art, music (particularly jazz), literature, and social thought.

Question 7

Palmer Raids

Answer 7

A series of government actions (1919-1920) led by Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer to arrest and deport suspected radicals and anarchists during the Red Scare.

Question 8

Xenophobia

Answer 8

The fear or dislike of people from other countries or cultures, often leading to prejudice, discrimination, and exclusionary policies.

Question 9

KKK (Ku Klux Klan)

Answer 9

A white supremacist hate group founded in the Reconstruction era, which was revived in the early 20th century. It promoted racism, anti-Semitism, anti-Catholicism, and nativism, often using violence and intimidation.

Question 10

Fordney-McCumber Tariff

Answer 10

A 1922 U.S. tariff that raised import duties on foreign goods to protect American businesses and farmers. It contributed to a reduction in international trade.

Question 11

Speculation

Answer 11

The practice of making high-risk financial investments in the hope of making large profits quickly, often seen in the stock market.

Question 12

Buy on Margin

Answer 12

A practice where investors borrow money from a broker to purchase stocks, paying only a small portion of the price upfront, and agreeing to pay the rest later. This practice was a key factor in the stock market crash of 1929.

Question 13

Black Tuesday

Answer 13

October 29, 1929, the day the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. Billions of dollars in stock value were lost in one day.

Question 14

Collateral

Answer 14

An asset or property pledged as security for a loan, which the lender can seize if the borrower fails to repay the loan.

Question 15

Depression

Answer 15

A severe and prolonged downturn in economic activity, marked by high unemployment, reduced industrial production, and a general contraction of the economy.

Question 16

Recession

Answer 16

A temporary period of economic decline, typically defined by two consecutive quarters of negative GDP growth.

Question 17

Great Depression

Answer 17

A prolonged worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 with the stock market crash and lasted through the 1930s, leading to widespread unemployment, poverty, and political instability.

Question 18

Gross National Product (GNP)

Answer 18

The total value of all goods and services produced by a country’s residents over a specified period, typically a year.

Question 19

Federal Reserve System

Answer 19

The central banking system of the United States, responsible for regulating the money supply, setting interest rates, and ensuring financial stability.

Question 20

Herbert Hoover

Answer 20

The 31st president of the United States (1929-1933), who was in office when the Great Depression began. His policies of minimal government intervention were widely criticized for failing to address the economic crisis.

Question 21

Rugged Individualism

Answer 21

A belief associated with President Hoover that individuals should be responsible for their own success, and that government should not provide direct aid to those in need.

Question 22

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

Answer 22

A 1930 tariff law that raised U.S. import duties to protect American businesses. It exacerbated the global economic downturn by reducing international trade.

Question 23

Bonus Army

Answer 23

A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of a promised bonus. Their protest ended with a violent confrontation with the U.S. Army.

Question 24

Hoover Dam

Answer 24

A massive concrete dam built during the Great Depression on the Colorado River, providing jobs and contributing to economic recovery in the Southwest.

Question 25

Hooverville

Answer 25

Shantytowns made up of makeshift homes built by homeless people during the Great Depression, named derisively after President Hoover.

Question 26

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Answer 26

A government agency created in 1932 under Hoover to provide financial support to banks, businesses, and state and local governments, in an effort to stimulate economic recovery.

Question 27

21st Amendment

Answer 27

The 1933 constitutional amendment that repealed the 18th Amendment, ending Prohibition and allowing the legal production and sale of alcohol in the U.S.

Question 28

Dust Bowl

Answer 28

A severe drought and series of dust storms during the 1930s that devastated farms in the Midwest and Great Plains, worsening the economic conditions of the Great Depression.

Question 29

Dorothea Lange

Answer 29

A renowned photographer known for her work documenting the suffering of migrant workers during the Great Depression, particularly through her iconic “Migrant Mother” photograph.

Question 30

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)

Answer 30

The 32nd president of the United States (1933-1945), who led the country through the Great Depression and World War II, implementing the New Deal to address economic challenges.

Question 31

Fireside Chats

Answer 31

A series of radio addresses given by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to communicate directly with the American people about his policies, particularly during the Great Depression and World War II.

Question 32

New Deal/Second New Deal

Answer 32

A series of programs and reforms initiated by FDR in response to the Great Depression. The Second New Deal (1935-1938) expanded on earlier measures, focusing on social welfare and labor rights. Key programs include Social Security, the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Wagner Act.

Question 33

Eleanor Roosevelt

Answer 33

First Lady of the United States (1933-1945), advocate for human rights, women’s rights, and social justice. She played a crucial role in shaping New Deal policies and later served as a U.N. delegate.

Question 34

Hundred Days

Answer 34

The first 100 days of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, during which he pushed through a large number of New Deal programs aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform to combat the Great Depression.

Question 35

Recovery/Relief/Reform

Answer 35

The three main goals of FDR’s New Deal programs:

Relief: Immediate assistance to those suffering (e.g., unemployment benefits).
Recovery: Efforts to rebuild the economy (e.g., public works projects).
Reform: Long-term changes to prevent future depressions (e.g., financial regulations).

Question 36

Frances Perkins

Answer 36

The first woman to serve in a U.S. Cabinet position, as Secretary of Labor under Franklin D. Roosevelt. She was instrumental in the creation of Social Security and labor reforms.

Question 37

Mary McLeod Bethune

Answer 37

An African American educator and civil rights leader who advised FDR on racial issues and worked to improve opportunities for African Americans during the New Deal.

Question 38

Black Cabinet

Answer 38

An informal group of African American advisors to President Franklin D. Roosevelt who advocated for racial equality and helped shape New Deal policies affecting black Americans.

Question 39

Wagner Act

Answer 39

A 1935 law that established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), guaranteeing workers the right to form unions and engage in collective bargaining.

Question 40

Political right

Answer 40

Refers to individuals or groups that advocate for limited government intervention in the economy, traditional social values, and often a free-market economy. Conservatives are generally considered to be on the political right.

Question 41

Political left

Answer 41

Refers to individuals or groups that advocate for greater government intervention in the economy, social equality, and progressive reforms. Liberals and socialists are often associated with the political left.

Question 42

Senator Huey Long

Answer 42

A populist Louisiana senator and governor during the 1930s, known for his “Share Our Wealth” program, which proposed wealth redistribution to address economic inequality. He was a critic of FDR.

Question 43

Father Charles Coughlin

Answer 43

A Catholic priest and radio broadcaster who became a vocal critic of FDR during the 1930s. He advocated for economic reforms but was also known for his anti-Semitic views.

Question 44

Dr. Francis Townsend

Answer 44

A physician who proposed the Townsend Plan, which advocated for providing a monthly pension to elderly Americans to stimulate the economy and help retirees.

Question 45

Court Packing Plan

Answer 45

FDR’s 1937 proposal to expand the Supreme Court by adding justices who would be sympathetic to his New Deal programs. The plan was highly controversial and was rejected by Congress.

Question 46

John L. Lewis

Answer 46

A labor leader and president of the United Mine Workers who played a key role in organizing industrial unions and founding the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)

Question 47

Deficit

Answer 47

A financial situation where expenditures exceed revenues, leading to a shortfall that may require borrowing or debt.

Question 48

John Maynard Keynes

Answer 48

British economist whose ideas, known as Keynesian economics, advocated for government intervention to stabilize the economy, especially during recessions

Question 49

Marian Anderson

Answer 49

African American contralto singer who became an international star and broke racial barriers in the classical music world. In 1939, performed at the Lincoln Memorial after being denied entry to Constitution Hall due to racial segregation.

Question 50

Minimum Wage

Answer 50

The lowest legal hourly wage that employers can pay workers.

Question 51

Judicial Review

Answer 51

The power of courts to review and invalidate laws or executive actions that violate the Constitution.