American Presidents/Context Flashcards
Name the American Presidents in order
Warren Harding, Calvin Coolidge, Herbert Hoover, FDR (Roosevelt), Truman, Dwight Eisenhower, Kennedy, LBJ (Johnson), Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford, Jimmy Carter, Reagan
What parties were the presidents, in order, in?
Republican, Republican, Republican, Democrat, Democrat, Republican, Democrat, Democrat, Republican, Republican, Democrat, Republican
What are some key facts about Warren Harding?
He was president 1921-1923, he was popular, seen as amiable, reassuring + “ In one within the rational mood “, very organised judging by many passed policies & America’s stability. Ohio gang, Hired people based friends > merit. Worked well with congress, passed laws such as Fodrey-McCumber Act, originally well liked in media but became known for wasting time - golfing, drinking, etc. Would appear at events, meet with stars, have speeches as technology was limited (a factor in his favour)
What are some key facts about Calvin Coolidge?
He was president 1923-1929, He was quiet, efficient and hardworking. Very organised, Passed acts like Coolidge’s Revenue Act 1924, Dry dull and respectable, nicknamed “ Silent Cow “. Wasn’t popular with media, but media wasnt very developed at the time.
What are some facts about Herbert Hoover?
He was president 1929-1933, described as Hard-working, effective, determined “ The Great Engineer “. Highly oganised, handled food supplies in WW1, wasnt organised with great depression. Worked well with congress until the depression. Well known on Radio, but had a bad picture painted of him (esp in great depression). Started well respected, ended ridiculed and disliked.
What are some facts about FDR?
Roosevelt described as empathetic, amiable, hard-working, and aware who stayed in touch with Americans. Many Acts passed, New Deal policies & Alphabet Agencies - Brain Trust. Worked well in some things, however, congress were against many Acts as majority of congress were Republican. Cultivated reports by holding 2-3 press conferences a week, holding informal oval office sittings to allow reporters freedom to sit with him, held 30 fireside chats over radio, popular, death was mourned, Hated by republicans for interacting too much with businesses and hated by Liberals for not interacting enough.
What are some facts about Harry Truman?
President 1944-1953, Tough, Resilient, Hard-working. Brought in reforms to consolidate & extend Roosevelt’s policies protect workers rights & maintain full employment.Didnt work well with Congress, backlash after introduction of National health insurance legislation, battled between them. nnot very popular, only known for Roosevelt, Attacked for not doing more to support African Americans & supporting Israel too much.
What are some facts about Dwight Eisenhower?
President 1953-1961, described as Calm, consensual, reassuring and resilient. Passed few accs, seen as conservative & passive. Worked well with congress, supported them in desegregation of schools. First president to have tv ad, well liked by media & already popular. Seen as a passive war-hero, but not good with politics
What are some facts about JFK?
President 1961-1963, Seen as charismatic, Confident & Young, Firm, Cleancut and well groomed. Had plans for gov, Didn’t have alot of time due to assassination. Worked well with congress. Used television, had tv debates with Nixon & radio debates, election was seen as first tv election. People were excited at his promised “ new frontier “, seen as youthful and powerful, but Nixon voters believed he had dirty tracks & messed w/ the election.
What are some facts about Richard Nixon?
President 1969-1974, Seen as determined, hardworking, ambitioned, hard headed. Ended vietnam war, created “ Southern Strategy “ to get into power. Passed things such as reform acts, but National health Insurance was defeated in congress. Had a bad public image, however, due to watergate scandal.
What was “ The Gilded Age “?
The Gilded Age lasted from the late 1800s to the early 1900s and was characterized by economic growth for the wealthy and extreme poverty for the working classes. A societal shift from agriculture to industry resulted in a movement to the cities for some and westward migration for others.
Describe the Growth of Big Business in the Gilded Age.
-Industrial revolution post civil war, lack of dynamic politicians lead to industrialists eg Andrew Carnegie & J.P Morgan “ leading “ the nation. -Rich due to large amount of natural resuorces in the USA, improved communications & development of American Railroads.
-Westward expansion & massive immigration helped. High tariffs
-Some of the highest traded goods in America were oil, Iron, steel, etc.
-Amount o immigrants lead to more people working.
-Trusts (Buying out whole competition) development.
Describe the Populist Movement in the Gilded Age.
-Significant depression in 1893 bankrupted thousands of businesses.
-Farmers felt Tariffs worked against them, and that they were unable to share in prosperity.
-Americans not buying foreign imports, Foreigners not buying American Imports.
-Populist Movement in support of Silver (rather than money=Gold), mostly from Western and Southern states.
-Silver most commonly found in Rocky Mountain States
-Labour unions made mostly in 1885 with the American Foundation of Labor.
Describe New Immigration in the Gilded Age
-1886-1916 approx 25mil people immigrated to USA (mostly Southern & Eastern Europeans)
-Mostly Northern Europe before, eg 1882 789k people emigrated to USA, 50%+ being from Britain and Germany.
-1907, ~1.3mil entered with 11x more from Russia & Italy, and less than half from Britain & France.
-Due to high amount of opportunities, many emigrants could find jobs within hours of reaching the port.
-Steamship technology made trade fast & easy, and until 1882 (where mentally ill, criminals, undesirables were barred from entry), everyone could enter.
-Ameirca was a safe haven for minorities or prosecuted.
Who is the executive, who can stand for executive, how many years can they be elected for, who are they elected by and what is their responsibility?
The president, a natural born US citizen of atleast 35 years of age that has lived in the US for atleast 14 years previous, 4 years, The electoral college (A group of people selected to vote for presiednt, Each state has no. of electors equivalent to house of representative members & senators, pledged to a presidential candidates. Votes added for each state which elector gets most votes will win state. Then can add up number of republican and democrat majority states to decide who is winner. Winning presidential candidate must get 270 electoral votes to win.), Executes the laws.
