America, World War Two, Roosevelts Legacy and the transition to Truman

Question 1

What was the election result in 1940?

Answer 1

Roosevelt/Democrats: 36 states/25 million votes/ 432 electoral votes
Dewey/Republicans: 12 states/22 million votes/ 99 electoral votes

Question 2

What was the main affect of World War 2 on the American economy?

Answer 2

It helped boost the economy and get America fully out of the Depression

Question 3

What was the Neutrality Act and when was it introduced?

Answer 3

In August 1935, the Neutrality Act allowed America to avoid conflict and acted as an ‘expression of the desire to avoid any action which might involve the US in war’

Question 4

How did the Neutrality Act impact America and the American army/navy?

Answer 4

American vessels had to obtain a license to carry arms, would restrict Americans from sailing on ships from hostile nations and would impose a embargo of arms to Axis nations.

Question 5

What did Roosevelt warn about the Neutrality Act?

Answer 5

The US couldn’t foresee any future situations in which the US might have to remove its neutral stance (stating ‘history is filled with unforeseeable situations that call for some flexibility of action’.)

Question 6

What was the Lend-Lease Act and when was it imposed?

Answer 6

In March 1941, Congress passed it to sell equipment to ally nations to help defend themselves against the Nazi’s and other fascist governments.

Question 7

How much money was given by Congress to spend on the act and how much went to Britain?

Answer 7

$50 billion in total and $31 billion went to Britain.

Question 8

When did Roosevelt die?

Answer 8

April 1945

Question 9

What did Roosevelt die from?

Answer 9

A stroke

Question 10

How was different was the Presidency when Roosevelt died and Truman succeeded?

Answer 10

The president had to be involved in forming policy and legislation

Question 11

How did Roosevelt change the view of the President on helping people?

Answer 11

President viewed as responsible for welfare throughout the country and many presidents who followed him referenced him in welfare packages (e.g. Truman’s ‘Fair Deal’)

Question 12

When things went badly, who was commonly blamed and what does it show?

Answer 12

NOT the President but his advisors instead showing the President was seen as much more powerful and responsible

Question 13

What main element of the Presidency didn’t change?

Answer 13

The theory of separation of powers (e.g. Supreme Court’s responsibility and Congresses to pass laws despite the Presidents increase in power.

Question 14

What was Truman refereed as?

Answer 14

The ‘Accidental President’

Question 15

How was Truman’s personality different to Roosevelt?

Answer 15

He wasn’t charismatic or confident and could be overwhelmed by the importance of the job, which led to him making mistakes under pressure.

Question 16

What phrase did people use to describe Truman?

Answer 16

‘To err is Truman’

Question 17

How was Truman’s relationship with the media?

Answer 17

Saw working with the media as very important and gave careful briefings which were often detailed, with flip charts and pointers but sometimes didn’t explain enough.

Question 18

How did the public react to Truman succeeding as President?

Answer 18

He wasn’t instantly appealing and Truman didn’t try to connect with the public, which left the public in the dark about issues like the Korean war.

Question 19

What were Truman’s organisational abilities like?

Answer 19

He worked well with White House staff and typically stayed on top of things, yet hired the wrong people some times.

Question 20

How well did Truman work with Congress?

Answer 20

Not as good as Roosevelt did as they often blocked many reforms he wanted, especially as their was a Republican majority from 1946. He had few contact and couldn’t charm or manipulate Congress as well as Roosevelt.