The Roosevelt Era Flashcards
What challenges faced the United States as FDR entered the presidency?
- The US was in the Great Depression.
- Record unemployment (~25%); homelessness and foreclosures; bank failures.
- The Dust Bowl destroyed farmland and led to severe health issues
What experiences prepared the Roosevelts to help the American public during their time in the White House?
- FDR suffered from polio, leaving him paralyzed- helping him understand how to be resilient in the face of great challenges.
- FDR was related to TR who had successfully used the presidency to help many Americans.
How did Eleanor Roosevelt redefine the position of First Lady?
- Eleanor Roosevelt was very active in her role as First Lady, traveling the country to witness the challenges facing the public, and relaying her observations to her husband (who struggled to travel due to his paralysis).
- Eleanor Roosevelt also advocated for the rights of women and Black Americans who were facing great struggles during the Depression.
What was the New Deal?
FDR’s collection of programs created to respond to the challenges presented by the Great Depression.
How did FDR address challenges facing banks and other financial institutions?
Includes 3 New Deal programs.
- FDR announced a “bank holiday” to close all the nation’s banks, allowing them to be inspected and improved.
- The EBRA was created to allow for the inspection of banks.
- The FDIC was created to protect bank investments up to $5,000 ($250,000 today)
- The SEC was created to monitor stock market practices.
How did FDR work to alleviate high unemployment?
Includes 1 New Deal program.
- During the New Deal many programs were created to jobs for the unemployed.
- The WPA was a public works program that created 8 million jobs during the New Deal.
How did FDR respond to the challenges facing American farmers?
Includes 1 New Deal program.
- The government paid farmers to farm less, wanting to increase the price of farm goods and allow the Dust Bowl lands to recover.
- The AAA provided money to farmers to encourage them to farm less.
How did FDR attempt to help those who could not work (elderly, disabled, orphaned children)?
Includes 1 New Deal program.
- The SSA (Social Security) was created to provide funds to support people who could not work.
- This program has supported millions of Americans over its nearly 90 years of operation.
What were fireside chats?
Regular radio addresses President Roosevelt held to inform and encourage the American public during the Depression and WWII.
What was the purpose of the 21st Amendment?
- Ended the prohibition of alcohol in the US; repealed the 18th Amendment.
- Helped provide more tax revenue to pay for the New Deal.
How did Frances Perkins contribute during the New Deal?
- First American woman to lead a cabinet department.
- Served as Secretary of Labor, where she helped create the Social Security system.
How did John Collier contribute during the New Deal?
- Social worker and activist how helped create the Indian New Deal.
- This program adopted changes to support Native Americans- including the end of many boarding schools.
How did Mary McLeod Bethune contribute during the New Deal?
- Member of FDR’s informal group of advisors called the “Black Cabinet”
- Bethune promoted many programs increasing access to jobs and education for Black youth.
Why were some people critical about FDR’s New Deal?
- They felt he was spending way too much money on the New Deal- more than the US could afford.
- They felt he was becoming too powerful- almost dictatorial in some of his actions.
What is deficit spending?
When the government is spending more money than it brings in from income tax revenue causing debt.
Why was there controversy surrounding FDR’s New Deal in the Supreme Court?
The Supreme Court found multiple of FDR’s programs to be unconstitutional, and forced them to be eliminated.
What was FDR’s “court-packing plan”?
- FDR wanted to revise the structure of the Supreme Court, allowing him to add new justices that would support his policies.
- Many Americans viewed this action as unconstitutional and criticized the President .
In what ways was the New Deal effective?
- The New Deal boosted American morale after years of struggling under President Hoover’s leadership.
- The New Deal did help decrease American unemployment.
In what ways was the New Deal ineffective?
- The New Deal did not COMPLETELY end the Great Depression, it was still ongoing when World War II began.
What factors allowed dictators to rise to power in the following places?
1. Germany
2. Soviet Union
- Facing extreme economic hardship due to World War I reparations outlined in the Treaty of Versailles, citizens sought powerful leadership to repair the nation and restore its prewar greatness.
- After the death of their leader, a power struggle occurred during which one leader manipulated the media to eliminate his enemies. Once in power, he continued to employ aggressive changes to address ongoing issues.
What factors allowed dictators to rise to power in the following places?
3. Japan
4. Italy
- Despite siding with the victorious Allies in WWI, this nation felt overlooked in the Treaty of Versailles negotiations. In order to achieve its national goals, they turned to powerful military leaders to gain desired resources and land.
- After WWI this country faced extreme economic and social challenges. Several strikes, some communist-led, frightened wealthy residents who demanded a powerful leader, ultimately attracting them to the Fascist Party.
What global dictators came to power in interwar: Germany, Italy, Japan, and the Soviet Union?
- Germany: Adolf Hitler
- Italy: Benito Mussolini
- Japan: Hideki Tojo
- Soviet Union: Joseph Stalin
What is anti-Semitism?
Hostility and discrimination towards Jews.
How did anti-Semitism deepen in Nazi Germany under Adolf Hitler?
- Hitler blamed German Jews for the suffering of the country after WWI- accused them of trying to destroy Germany.
- Hitler adopted laws to strip away the rights of German Jews.
- Hitler ordered the creation of concentration and extermination camps to target and eliminate Jews.
What examples exist of Nazi hatred and aggression during the Holocaust?
- The Nuremberg Laws: Laws created by Germany under Adolf Hitler to strip away the rights of Jews.
- Kristallnacht: The “Night of Broken Glass,” in November 1938, during which many Jews homes, businesses, and synagogues were destroyed.
- Genocide: The planned mass killing of a targeted group of people, such as what happened to the Jews during the Holocaust.
What was Auschwitz?
The largest and deadliest Nazi extermination camp during the Holocaust where over a million people died.
What happened at the Munich Conference?
- Leaders from Great Britain and France met with Hitler when he wanted to take over the Sudetenland, a region of Czechoslovakia.
- The leaders agreed to the Munich Agreement, which allowed Hitler to take the land if he stopped after.
What was the Non-Aggression Pact?
- An agreement made between Stalin and Hitler that neither country would attack the other for ten years, and they would divide Poland between their countries.
- This agreement allowed Hitler to invade Poland without worrying about a war with the Soviets.
What events led to the start of World War II?
- After taking over several areas (Austria, Rhineland, Czechoslovakia), Nazi Germany launched a violent, blitzkrieg attack on Poland on September 1, 1939.
- The invasion of Poland caused France and Great Britain to declare war on Germany, starting WWII.
Why did the US stay neutral as World War II began in Europe?
- The United States was amid the Great Depression and Americans wanted to prioritize economic recovery.
- Because the US had significantly decreased military spending to pay for the New Deal- they didn’t feel prepared.
How did the US contribute to the Allied cause BEFORE officially entering the war?
The US allowed businesses to sell war materials to warring nations after the invasion of Poland, adopting the Cash and Carry System; which required countries to pay cash at time of purchase and carry items on their own ships.
What was the Lend-Lease Agreement?
- Neutrality policy that replaced the Cash and Carry policy, allowing countries to receive war materials (food, weapons, etc) for free– as long as it benefitted the US.
- Used to make it easier to provide goods to Great Britain, while maintaining US neutrality.
What was the Atlantic Charter?
Agreement developed by President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill that aligned US and British war aims– BEFORE the US entered WWII.
How did President Roosevelt prepare the US for war before officially entering the war?
- Established first peacetime draft in US history.
- Increased military spending; after decreasing it to pay for the New Deal.
- Created the Office of Scientific Research and Development; which formed the Manhattan Project.
What is the significance of December 7, 1941?
- The Japanese attack against American forces at Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii– killing over 2000 Americans and devastating the US Pacific naval fleet.
- Executed in response to the United States’ refusal to end economic sancations (ex. oil embargo) against Japan.
- Led FDR to request a declaration of war from Congress the following day.
How did the US mobilize economically for WWII?
- The War Production Board worked with existing companies to produce war materials, such as Ford and Boeing.
- Millions of Americans, especially women joined the workforce to build war materials.
- Farmers worked to grow food for the war cause, and people rationed food at home.
How did the US mobilize technologically for WWII?
- The OSRD was created to employ scientists and inventors to produce new war technologies.
- The OSRD advanced radar and sonar, made advancements with penicillin to treat infections and illnesses among soldiers.
- The OSRD also helped form the Manhattan Project.
How did the US mobilize militarily for WWII?
- FDR shaped the first peacetime draft in US history, and expanded the Selected Service System after Congress declared war.
- Propaganda campaigns were created to recruit men and women to volunteer for the military.
- The government sold $185 billion in war bonds to grow the military.
What was the Manhattan Project?
- The US program to develop an atomic bomb during WWII; culminating in the successful Trinity Test in July 1945.
- The project was led by J. Robert Oppenheimer and employed thousands during the war.
How did American women contribute to the war effort during WWII?
- Women filled nearly every role left vacant when men left to serve in the war (lawyers, doctors, journalists, farmers, and more).
- Women served in non-combat roles within the military
- Women rationed food, planted victory gardens, purchased war bonds.
How did Black Americans contribute to the war effort during WWII?
- Despite facing discrimination at home and segregation in the military, many Black men volunteered for armed service.
- Black Americans also purchased war bonds and worked in factories to support the war cause.
What was the Double V Campaign?
- Organized campaign among Black Americans to achieve “double victory” through their contributions to WWII.
- Black Americans believed if they helped in the war, they would gain respected equality at home.
Who were the Tuskegee Airmen?
Segregated unit of decorated Black fighter pilots who served in the US Army Air Force during WWII.
How did Japanese Americans contribute to the war effort during WWII?
- At first Japanese Americans were prevented from military service– worried they’d turn on the US– however they were eventually allowed to fight against Italy.
- Some Japanese Americans also permitted to work in military intelligence and translation during the WWII.
How did Native Americans contribute to the war effort during WWII?
- Many Native Americans were recruited to join the military in various combat and non-combat roles.
- Native codetalkers were used to strengthen military communications in Europe and the Pacific during WWII.
How did Mexican Americans contribute to the war effort during WWII?
- The bracero program was created to recruit Mexican farmers to help grow and harvest food in the US.
- Many Mexican Americans served in the armed forces.
- Mexican women were recruited as translators and cryptologists.
How did minority groups face discrimination in the US during WWII?
- The US military had segregated units for minority servicemembers.
- Race riots, like the Detroit Race Riots and Zoot Suit Riot, left many dead and injured.
- Elements of German American culture were banned in the US (ex. German language banned from many schools).
- Japanese Americans were forced into internment camps.
What are internment camps?
Prison camps that housed Japanese Americans forced from their homes on the West Coast during World War II; reinforced with armed guards and barbed wire to prevent them from leaving.
Why was Executive Order 9066 controversial?
- Executive Order 9066 prevented Japanese Americans from living along the West Coast of the US– forcing them to leave their homes and live in internment camps.
- This policy stripped Japanese Americans of their rights as US citizens.
What was Koresmatsu v. the United States?
- Supreme Court case regarding Fred Koresmatsu, a Japanese American citizen who refused to leave for the internment camps.
- The Supreme Court said the policy was okay, because it helped protect national security during a time of great danger.
How did the United States contribute to the War in North Africa?
After securing supply lines in the Atlantic, the US made its first land invasion in North Africa via Operation Torch which helped the Allies secure oil in the region and protect important trade routes.
How did the US contribute to the War in Southern Europe?
- After winning in North Africa, the US made its next invasions in Sicily and Italy, (the “soft underbelly of Europe”).
- Soon after, Mussolini was removed from power and executed, causing Italy to become the first Axis power to surrender in WWII.
What challenges did the US face in the Pacific Theater after the attack on Pearl Harbor?
- The US Pacific fleet was destroyed after coordinated attacks on four naval bases (including Pearl Harbor).
- The Philippines was seized by the Japanese, along with thousands of American naval service members.
- The Japanese defeated the US for 6 months straight in the Pacific.
What was the Bataan Death March?
- Deadly march of American prisoners of war by the Japanese after the seizure of the Philippines.
- 15,000 Americans died on this march at the hands of the Japanese.
How did the island-hopping strategy impact the American war effort in the Pacific?
- By focusing on small, less-defended islands, the US Navy could work its way slowly across the massive Pacific Ocean.
- America hoped to eventually free American prisoners in the Philippines and to launch a major attack against Japan.
What happened during the Battle of Midway?
- Widely considered the “turning point” in the Pacific war, the Americans gained their first victory against the Japanese.
- Allowed the US to start its “island-hopping” campaign.
What is the significance of June 6, 1944?
- Better known as D-Day, this marked the start of the Allied invasion to regain Nazi-controlled France and western Europe.
- It is the largest land and air invasion by the American military in its history.
How did the German cause decline after the D-Day invasion?
- After D-Day, Hitler’s Nazi Army suffered a series of defeats and was forced to retreat into Germany.
- Before Germany surrendered to the Allies, Hitler killed himself.
What was VE Day?
- “Victory in Europe” Day; May 8, 1945
- The day of the German surrender which ended the war in Europe.
Why were the Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa important?
- Both were fought between the US and Japanese over islands very close to Japan; ending in important US victories.
- Fighting was exceptionally violent and deadly, with the Japanese turning to suicide operations to try and prevent American victory.
What is a kamikaze attack?
Japanese suicide attacks using aircraft during WWII, that became increasingly common the closer the US got to Japan.
What controversy surrounded the use of the atomic bomb at the end of WWII?
- The atomic bomb was 20,000x more power than a conventional bomb- and could caused incredible damage to civilians.
- No one had ever used such a weapon, if the US did so– especially against civilians– other countries may want to carry out a similar attack against the US in the future.
What options did President Truman consider to end the war with Japan?
- Invading mainland Japan.
- Fire-bombing campaigns
- Drop atomic bomb on uninhabited island
- Drop atomic bomb on mainland Japan
Explain why President Truman decided to use the atomic bomb to end WWII.
- Truman did not feel that firebombing attacks or dropping the atomic bomb on an uninhabited island would cause Japan to surrender.
- Truman was advised that invading Japan could cause up to a million deaths and cause the war to last longer; it was believed that the atomic bomb would result in fewer deaths and save American lives.
What is the significance of Hiroshima and Nagasaki?
- Japanese cities targeted by American atomic bombs in August 1945.
- Hundreds of thousands of deaths and serious injuries occurred; as both cities were completely flattened by the attacks.
- These attacks prompted the Japanese unconditional surrender.
Describe the signficance of the following US military leaders:
- Dwight D Eisenhower
- Douglas MacArthur
- George Patton
- Eisenhower was the Supreme Commander of Allied forces in Europe during WWII; led Operation Torch (invasion of Africa) and Operation Overlord (D-Day invasion).
- MacArthur led American operations in the Philippines; helping to regain the Philippines after it was lost early in the war.
- Patton was an at times controversial military commander who led American forces in the Battle of the Bulge, forcing Germany off of Allied land near the end of the war.
What were the Nuremberg Trials?
International war crime trials held in Nuremberg, Germany after WWII; convicting Nazi war criminals for their contributions to the Holocaust.
What happened at the Yalta Conference?
- Stalin argued to take over eastern Europe; creating distrust with Great Britain as the war ended.
- FDR convinced Stalin to help defeat Japan once Germany was defeated.
- The Allies agreed to create the United Nations to replace the League of Nations.
What happened at the Potsdam Conference?
- The Allies agreed to divide Germany into 4 Allied occupation zones after WWII (each controlled by an Allied nation).
- Truman learned of the successful Trinity Test– but did not inform Stalin– contributing to distrust and a rivalry between the men.
