Background

Question 1

what happened in the 20s

Answer 1

1920s: economic boom (mass production > more jobs; greater

investment; higher bank deposits; more banks)

Question 2

What did the 20s cause

Answer 2

Credit boom: more loans; businesses borrowed to expand

Question 3

What did stock markets do

Answer 3

Stock market seen as a solid investment: banks could buy stocks
for themselves; banks lent money to investors to buy stocks;
prices continue to rise; ‘buying on the margin’ meant paying for
a proportion, borrowing the rest; repayments made from profits
when sold IF at a profit so selling necessary to repay the loans

Question 4

What happened in the late 20s

Answer 4

Fall in purchase of products> disappointing profits and falling
share prices

Question 5

What happened to the stocks

Answer 5

share prices
• Loans on margins called in; people unable to pay; stocks
plummeted becoming worthless

Question 6

Why did the bank collapse

Answer 6

Massive run on banks to pull money out- seen as risky; some
banks unable to satisfy calls for money; lending grinds to a halt;
people lose money; banks collapse

Question 7

What did Roosevelt say in 1933

Answer 7

• Franklin D Roosevelt (1933-45): “Let me assert my
firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear
itself “

Question 8

What did Rosevelt end

Answer 8

• Ended prohibition

•

Question 9

What was the new deal rosevelt made

Answer 9

New Deal economic regeneration programme

•

Question 10

What did the new deal rosevelt made entail

Answer 10

Tennessee Valley Authority Act: built dams along
the Tennessee river to control flooding and
generate hydroelectric power
•Commodity farmers paid to leave fields fallow to
reduce surpluses in corn, wheat, dairy, tobacco…
and boost prices

Question 11

What was the National Industrial recovery act

Answer 11

• National Industrial Recovery Act: Workers’ rights to
unionise and seek higher wages and better working
conditions

Question 12

What did new technology cause

Answer 12

more production and ability to
supply, but not an equal
demand so prices fell and
farmer income drops
•

Question 13

What did drought cause

Answer 13

great Dust
Bowls: topsoil scattered by
wind; sand and grit exposed;
dust travelled for hundreds of
miles

Question 14

What was the american dream

Answer 14

Westward movement historically
associated with success, adventure,
pioneering spirit, frontier making; values
pertinent to the American Dream

Question 15

What was California seen as

Answer 15

Gold rushes

• Land of ‘milk and honey’

Question 16

What did the dust bowl cause

Answer 16

Migration from Dust Bowls to seek fertile
land and space; hunger for land
•

Question 17

How did Californians respond to migration

Answer 17

Many driven away by Californians and
lived in refugee camps
•

Question 18

What does soledad translate to

Answer 18

soledad translates to ‘solitude’

Question 19

what was existence like for workers?

Answer 19

Transient existence due to employment migration
Many could not afford fares: hitched lifts/stole rides on trains/walked; came to be known as hobos

Leisure: drinking, magazines, visiting brothels, fighting…

Question 20

what did the nature of employment cause/encourage?

Answer 20

Competitive nature of employment market encouraged ruthlessness

Question 21

what did ranches foster, why?

Answer 21

Nature of ranches and migrant labour fostered loneliness;

individualism was expected; impeded bonds, yet also restricted privacy

Question 22

what did workers strive for? what was stopping them?

Answer 22

Low wages prevented self-improvement

Desperate desire for autonomy and self-governance (key to the American Dream)

Answer 23

Leisure: drinking, magazines, visiting brothels, fighting…

Question 24

what was ranch life indicated by?

Answer 24

Ranch life as indicated by the possessions of the workers and environment of the bunk-house:

Question 25

what were the standard of living like for workers?

Answer 25

not great, Close sleeping quarters; confinement; lack of privacy
Lack of possessions; bare necessities; lack of comforts
severe; austere; unhygienic

Question 26

what was lesiure like for workers?

Answer 26

Limited leisure opportunities: reading; drinking; visit brothels; fighting; games like pool, cards, horseshoes

Question 27

what was the environment like for workers

Answer 27

Competitive environment

Suspicious environment especially towards companionship
Isolating

Question 28

what did workers keep retention onto?

Answer 28

aspirations/dreams

Question 29

what were the social division composed of?

Answer 29

Social divisions based on roles, race, sex

Question 30

what was the average worker like?

Answer 30

solitary usually; they are exceptional in their companionship
Desperation for employment

Question 31

what was their economic status like?

Answer 31

Low economic means: hand-to-mouth existence

Question 32

what was the constant pressure for workers?

Answer 32

Constant pressure to refamiliarise and prove self

Question 33

what was residence like for these workers?

Answer 33

Lack of permanent residence; displacement; transience

Difficulties establishing bonds