APUSH NOTECARDS CH 23/24

Question 1

Stock market crash

Answer 1

Widespread financial panic caused stock prices to fall, many people lost their lives savings and many institutions went bankrupt. The stock market crash triggered a chain of events exposing weakness in american economy that would lead to the great depression.

Question 2

Dust Bowl

Answer 2

Beginning in 1930, area in great plains had awful drought, it killed the crops and turned the top soil layer to dust which combined with the hot winds drove people from their homes in Oklahoma.

Question 3

Scottsboro Case

Answer 3

1931 - 9 black teenagers arrested for vagrancy & disorder in train and two white women later accused them of rape (only to keep themselves from arrest) and an all white alabama jury convicted the Scottsboro boys & sentenced them to death. The convictions were overturned and new trial started, the boys aided by the International Labor Defense. Though they all gained their freedom, one wasn’t released until 1950.

Question 4

popular front

Answer 4

A broad coalition of “antifascist” groups on the left. They were unrelenting critics of american capitalism and its control of the govt. Under Soviet Union instruction, the party softened toward Roosevelt and formed alliances with progressive groups. They did much to enhance the reputation and influence of the Communist Party and helped mobilize writers, artists, intellectuals. Instrumental in creating Abraham Lincoln Brigade.

Question 5

Spanish Civil War

Answer 5

The war in spain pitted the forces supporting Francisco Franco (Hiter & Mussolini supporter) against the existing republican government. A group of americans formed the Abraham Lincoln Brigrade and traveled to Spain to fight against the fascists.

Question 6

Southern Tenant Farmer’s Union

Answer 6

Organized by young socialist H.L. Mitchell and supported by the Socialist Party of America. It attempted to create biracial coalition of sharecroppers, tenant farmers to demand economic reform. Didn’t make any real progress.

Question 7

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Answer 7

Established in 1932, a government agency meant to provide fed’l loans to troubled banks, RRs, and businesses. It failed to deal directly or forcefully enough with the economy’s real problems.
It began with $1.5 billion budget for public works but most went to large banks & corporations, helped finance only public works that could pay for themselves: toll bridges, public housing.