T3 Impact of New Deal and WW2 on the USA to 1945

Question 1

What was the New Deal?

Answer 1

A series of federal programs and policies aimed at economic recovery during the Great Depression

The New Deal marked a significant shift in the role of the federal government in American life.

Question 2

What was one strength of the New Deal?

Answer 2

Unemployment fell from a peak of 18 million to about 9 million by the end of the New Deal

This indicates some level of economic recovery during the New Deal.

Question 3

What was one weakness of the New Deal?

Answer 3

Unemployment was not significantly reduced until the outbreak of war

This suggests that the New Deal alone did not resolve the unemployment crisis.

Question 4

What did the Executive Office of the President (EXOP) do?

Answer 4

It was created in 1937 to meet the demands of the new federal agencies established during the New Deal

EXOP expanded the role of the presidency and federal government.

Question 5

How did the New Deal affect the role of the presidency?

Answer 5

It expanded the expectations Americans had for their Presidents and the policies they pursued

This shift in expectations remained influential beyond Roosevelt’s presidency.

Question 6

True or False: The New Deal completely eliminated poverty during the 1930s.

Answer 6

False

Poverty was widespread, and while the New Deal mitigated some effects, it did not eliminate poverty.

Question 7

What was the impact of the New Deal on black Americans?

Answer 7

It included specific policies to help them, such as separate CCC camps and the establishment of a ‘Black Cabinet’

These actions were significant in the context of civil rights at the time.

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The Indian Reorganisation Act of 1934 allowed Native Americans to own reservation land in _______.

Answer 8

common

This act aimed to restore traditional societies disrupted by previous policies.

Question 9

What was the Fair Employment Practices Committee (FEPC)?

Answer 9

A committee created to ensure no discrimination in employment in defense industries or government

This was a significant step towards civil rights during the war.

Question 10

How did the Second World War affect employment for black Americans?

Answer 10

Unemployment of black Americans fell by 85% during the war

This was largely due to increased demand for labor in war industries.

Question 11

What was the Works Progress Administration (WPA)?

Answer 11

The largest New Deal agency that employed millions, including artists and writers

The WPA played a crucial role in providing jobs during the Great Depression.

Question 12

What was one effect of war propaganda during WWII?

Answer 12

Films and serials depicted Nazis as villains to boost public support for the war effort

This was part of a broader strategy to mobilize the American public.

Question 13

What was the role of radio during the Second World War?

Answer 13

It served as a key medium for delivering news and propaganda to the public

90% of American families owned a radio, making it a vital source of information.

Question 14

What economic change occurred in the USA due to WWII?

Answer 14

The economy shifted from depression to boom

War efforts created jobs and increased production significantly.

Question 15

What was the significance of the ‘Double V’ Campaign?

Answer 15

It was a campaign for victory against fascism abroad and racial discrimination at home

Philip Randolph was a key leader in this movement.

Question 16

What was the consequence of Roosevelt’s refusal to support anti-lynching legislation?

Answer 16

It demonstrated his limited commitment to civil rights despite some supportive policies

This limitation was due to his reliance on Southern Democrats.

Question 17

True or False: Segregation in the armed forces was completely eliminated during WWII.

Answer 17

False

Complete integration only occurred in 1950, despite some loosening during the war.

Question 18

What was the Office of War Mobilization?

Answer 18

A super agency created to streamline various wartime production and mobilization efforts

It was headed by James F. Byrnes and played a crucial role in the war effort.

Question 19

What was the impact of the New Deal on the expectations of Americans for their government?

Answer 19

It created expectations for a basic level of welfare from the federal government

This shift influenced future policies and government roles.

Question 20

Fill in the blank: By 1944, the United States was producing ______% of Allied combat munitions.

Answer 20

60

This production rate was critical to the Allied war effort.

Question 21

What action did the US government take regarding public amusement places during World War II?

Answer 21

All places of public amusement such as bars and nightclubs should close at midnight

Question 22

How much did the US spend on the military in 1939?

Answer 22

$1.3 billion

Question 23

What was the US military spending by 1945?

Answer 23

$80.5 billion

Question 24

How many tanks did American industry produce between 1940 and 1945?

Answer 24

Over 100,000 tanks

Question 25

What percentage of Allied combat munitions did the US produce by 1944?

Answer 25

60%

Question 26

How long did it take to build a Liberty ship before and after the introduction of assembly-line methods?

Answer 26

Before: a year; After: a week

Question 27

What was the size of the US armed forces in 1939 compared to July 1941?

Answer 27

1939: 250,000; July 1941: 1.8 million

Question 28

What was the size of the US armed forces by 1945?

Answer 28

12 million

Question 29

How many Japanese-Americans were there on the west coast before internment?

Answer 29

Around 80,000

Question 30

What did Roosevelt authorize in February 1942 regarding Japanese-Americans?

Answer 30

The relocation of Japanese-Americans in the interests of security

Question 31

How many Japanese-Americans were interned during World War II?

Answer 31

112,000 people

Question 32

What was necessary to meet the costs of mobilization during World War II?

Answer 32

Restructure the national taxation system

Question 33

How many Americans paid federal income tax in 1939?

Answer 33

Less than 4 million

Question 34

What did the Revenue Act of 1942 achieve?

Answer 34

Lowered personal allowances, increasing taxpayers to nearly 43 million by 1945

Question 35

What was the total federal government revenue in 1940 compared to 1944?

Answer 35

1940: $7 billion; 1944: just over $51 billion

Question 36

What was the increase in personal income tax revenue between 1940 and 1944?

Answer 36

Increased 20 times

Question 37

What was the main method of funding the war?

Answer 37

Borrowing

Question 38

What was the National Debt as a percentage of GNP in June 1940?

Answer 38

43%

Question 39

What did the National Debt reach by June 1946?

Answer 39

129%

Question 40

What became increasingly important for funding during the war?

Answer 40

Public subscription to war bonds

Question 41

What were the budget deficits in 1936 compared to 1943?

Answer 41

1936: $4.4 billion; 1943: $54 billion

Question 42

What was the GNP in 1938, 1940, and 1945?

Answer 42

1938: $85.2 billion; 1940: $100 billion; 1945: $213.6 billion

Question 43

What was the unemployment rate trend from 1937 to 1944?

Answer 43

Rose to over 10 million; by 1944, it was 670,000

Question 44

How did the war affect farmers' per capita income?

Answer 44

More than doubled between 1940 and 1945

Question 45

What did corporate profits do from 1939 to 1945?

Answer 45

Mushroomed from $6 billion to $10.5 billion

Question 46

How many firms produced 70% of manufactured goods in 1940 compared to March 1943?

Answer 46

1940: 175,000 firms; March 1943: 100 corporations

Question 47

What approach did Roosevelt prefer regarding the economy during the war?

Answer 47

Cooperate with industry and let business make profits

Question 48

What were tax write-offs used for during the war?

Answer 48

Encourage firms to switch to war production

Question 49

What was the average weekly earnings in 1944 compared to the 1930s?

Answer 49

1944: over $46; 1930s: around $20

Question 50

What did personal savings reach in 1944?

Answer 50

Nearly $37 billion

Question 51

What was the trade union membership in 1940 and 1945?

Answer 51

1940: 8.9 million; 1945: 14.8 million

Question 52

What was the percentage of the non-agricultural workforce that unions represented by 1945?

Answer 52

36%

Question 53

What did Roosevelt issue in 1941 to ban discrimination in federal employment?

Answer 53

Executive Order 8802

Question 54

What was the result of the Executive Order 8802 regarding African-Americans?

Answer 54

Increased skilled job opportunities and federal employment tripled

Question 55

What was the trend for women joining the workforce during the war?

Answer 55

Increased from around 25% to nearly 36%

Question 56

What did Congress pass in 1943 to support women in the workforce?

Answer 56

The Lanham Act providing funding for child-care facilities

Question 57

What was the income increase for the lowest fifth of families between 1941 and 1945?

Answer 57

111.5%

Question 58

What did Roosevelt propose in 1944 regarding economic rights?

Answer 58

An Economic Bill of Rights attacking business monopoly and making full employment a goal

Question 59

What was the change in trade union membership during World War II?

Answer 59

Rose from 8 million to 14.8 million

Question 60

What was established in 1943 to prevent discrimination in federal projects?

Answer 60

Fair Employment Practices Commission

Question 61

What industries were revitalized by the war by 1945?

Answer 61

Aerospace, electronics, and atomic energy

Question 62

What expectation did the war create regarding scientific and technological changes?

Answer 62

Continued innovation

Question 63

What was the impact of the war on the global economy?

Answer 63

Severely damaged every major economy except for the US