Franklin D. Roosevelt Flashcards
When did FDR contract polio and what did it do to him?
In 1921, it left him wheelchair bound
What are two reasons how his condition shaped his politics?
He was grounded by his condition
Empathised with poor people
When did FDR become the Democrat’s presidential figure?
In August 1932, the Wall Street Crash was in 1929
What was his group of advisors called?
Brain Trust
What was his famous plan called?
The Hundred Days
How many elections did FDR win?
Four in a row
What happened and when was Black Tuesday?
In October 1929, the market in sale of shares collapsed.
Give one reason why the Wall Street Crash was regarded as the Great Depression.
Unemployment rose from 3 to 12 million between 1929 and 1932.
1/4 of all farmers had lost their land.
What did the first New Deal do?
Gave loans to farmers and homeowners.
Regulated the stock market.
What did the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) do?
Gave work to young men by developing parks, building roads and felling trees.
What did the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) do?
Built over 5000 public buildings and 7000 bridges, and various other schemes.
What did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) do?
Created cheap hydroelectric power to a poor part of USA.
What % of the Tennessee Valley farms had electricity in 1933 - 1945?
2% in 1933, which rose to 75% in 1945 because of the TVA.
What did the 1935 Social Security Act (SSA) do?
Granted retirement benefits.
Gave unemployment benefits, $18 per week for 16 weeks.
What did the 1935 Wagner Act do?
Strengthen union power.
What did the 1935 Revenue Act do?
Raised income tax to 79%.
Force companies to spend their money in the stock markets.
How did the 1938 Fair Labour Standards Act help ordinary workers?
Set a min wage of 40 cents.
Max working week of 40 hours.
Affected 12million by 1940.
Why was 1941 an important year for economic recovery?
Unemployment halved,
Wages had doubled.
Failing businesses had dropped to 44,000.
USA entered WW2.
What % of Americans were in the US army?
12% (12 million people)
What are two ways the government got money for WW2?
Took control of large parts of the economy.
Sold war bonds.
What happened to debt and GDP by 1945?
GDP increased to $213.6 billion.
Debt also increased.
What did the 1935 Wagner Act do?
Increased power of the trade unions.
By 1945, 15 million workers had joined trade unions.
