The USA Flashcards
1
Q
What were reasons for why the USA emerged as a global superpower?
A
- Economic strength
- World war 1
- Geographic isolation
- Diplomatic power
- Technological advancements
2
Q
How did economic strength help the USA emerge as a global superpower?
A
- The USA experienced rapid industrialisation and economic growth during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
- It became the worlds leading industrial power surpassing Great Britain and Germany.
- This economic strength gave the US the ability to project power globally and establish itself as a dominant force.
3
Q
How did world war 1 help the USA emerge as a global superpower?
A
- Upon its entrance in 1917.
- It helped the allies win providing fresh troops, supplies, and resources that helped secure victory.
- This military contribution enhanced the nation’s global standing and established it as a major player in international affairs.
4
Q
How did geographic isolation help the USA emerge as a global superpower?
A
- The United States was geographically isolated from the conflicts and power struggles of Europe and Asia.
- This allowed the US to focus on its own economic and industrial development, avoiding the devastation caused by the two World Wars.
- Its geographic position helped the US emerge better than before and with a global influence.
5
Q
How did diplomatic power help the USA emerge as a global superpower?
A
- The US played a key role in shaping the outcome of World War I and the subsequent peace negotiations, particularly with the Treaty of Versailles in 1919. - President Woodrow Wilson’s Fourteen Points and his advocacy for the League of Nations demonstrated American leadership and its desire to shape the post-war world order.
- Even though the USA didn’t join the League of Nations.
6
Q
How did technological advancements help the USA emerge as a global superpower?
A
- The United States was at the forefront of technological innovation during this time, particularly in areas such as industrial production, transportation, and communication.
- Advancements in industries like steel, oil, and electricity propelled the US economy forward.
7
Q
What are the causes of the economic boom?
A
- Mass-production
- Mass-marketing / advertisements
- Credit
- Confidence
- The policies of the Republican presidents
- Entertainment
8
Q
How did mass-production help cause the economic boom?
A
- Fords invention of 1913; the assembly line, changed production forever.
- Parts of the model T were added by each worker as it travelled down the assembly line.
- The ford factory in 1913 were producing 1 car every 3 minutes.
- In the 1920’s, 1 car was produced every 10 seconds with this method.
- Eventually, other industries adopted this technique which led to the production of masses of cheap goods which could be afforded by thousands of ordinary Americans which previously couldn’t afford such a luxury.
9
Q
How did mass-marketing / advertisements help cause the economic boom?
A
- Mass produced goods had to be sold to a mass-market; so they had to ensure that people knew about the goods that they were selling.
- This resulted in companies spending huge amounts of money on advertising in order to make them eye-catching to the consumer.
- The expansion of the mail-order also helped consumers in the countryside access to their wide range of goods on offer.
10
Q
How did credit help cause the economic boom?
A
- Credit allowed for people to pay for goods in installments; at low interest rates.
- This helped the economy as many Americans could buy expensive things that they originally couldn’t afford.
- The demand for more goods lead to more job opportunities; leading to more consumers.
11
Q
How did confidence help cause the economic boom?
A
- Confidence amongst Americans was sky-high.
- This refers to the confidence to buy goods, invest in companies and try out new ideas.
12
Q
How did the republican policies help cause the economic boom?
A
- They put tariffs on imported goods. This made imports more expensive so Americans would buy American goods - helping American business and production.
- They introduced a laissez-faire approach; this means no taxes, regulations, or tariffs. Instead, the market should be completely free to be led by the natural laws of supply and demand.
- Lowered taxes - giving the wealthy more money to invest in American industry and architecture - allowing people to spend more money on American goods.
13
Q
How did entertainment help cause the economic boom?
A
- Many families, having bought new houses in the suburbs of rapidly growing American cities, had a lot of money and a lot of time to spare.
- Many Americans were finally able to buy things that they previously couldn’t and were spending their money rapidly.
- With so much disposable income, Americans were able to go to the movies, sports games and music events which were previously all viewed as a luxury.
- The birth of a nation became the first blockbuster movie and made 60 million in profit.
- Baseball was the most popular spectator sport with the most popular player being Babe Ruth.
14
Q
What are the republican policies?
A
- Laissez faire.
- Tariffs
- Lower taxation.
15
Q
What is the melting pot?
A
By 1920, more than 40 million people had arrived. As a result, there was a mixture of people from different races, cultures and religions living in America. The term used for this blend of 130 different nationalities was the ‘Melting Pot’.
16
Q
What were some reasons to come to the USA?
A
- Escaping from poverty in their own country;
escaping from political persecution; - The religious tolerance promised in the American Bill of Rights, for example the Jews wanted to escape the pogroms in Russia;
- A plentiful supply of land and the hope of owning property;
- Massive industrialisation in the USA meant the possibility of jobs with higher wages than in their homeland;
- The adventure of going to a new country;
- The hope of equality of opportunity.
- Lack of opportunity in their home country.
- Many people were persecuted from their home countries due to their beliefs.
17
Q
What were some reasons to not come to the USA?
A
- Some people were turned away from entering the USA.
- The United States implemented strict immigration restriction laws during this period, that heavily favoured immigrants from Western and Northern Europe while limiting immigration from Southern and Eastern Europe. - These quotas significantly reduced the number of immigrants eligible to enter the United States, particularly those from countries with historically higher levels of immigration.
18
Q
What was the red scare?
A
Some Americans were worried that through immigration, people from southern and eastern Europe will bring their anarchist and communist beliefs with them and eventually push these beliefs into America.
19
Q
What was one of the main reasons that people started becoming scared of the ‘reds’?
A
This is due to a wave of strikes in 1919, 3600 strikes involving 400,000 workers, convinced Americans that communists were trying to destroy their way of life.
20
Q
What were the palmer raids?
A
Mitchell palmer devoted himself to rounding up anyone who he believed was a ‘red’ - between 4000 and 6000 suspected communists were arrested in 36 cities across the USA. In the end 556 reds were deported back to their countries. Some people used the red scare as an excuse to attack any groups that they disliked or distrusted.
21
Q
Why were trade-unions weakened?
A
They were regarded as ‘un-american’ and they were weakened by raids and persecution.
22
Q
What was the Sacco and Vanzetti trial about?
A
On 15th April 1920, the paymaster of a shoe factory and an armed guard were attacked by two men who opened fire on them. The attackers escape with $15,000. The paymaster (Parmenter) was able to say - before he died - that the attackers had olive skin, and no other information was provided.
23
Q
Who was arrested and charged with the murder of parmenter and the guard?
A
- Nicola Sacco
- Bartolomeo Vanzetti
24
Q
Who were Sacco and Vanzetti and why were they considered ‘guilty’?
A
- They were self-confessed anarchists who hated capitalism and the American system of government.
- Protestors claimed that the trial had not been fairly conducted, and that Sacco and Vanzetti were being singled out because of their politics and their race as their trial took place at the height of the red scare.
25
When did the trial take place and for how long?
May 1921 and it lasted 45 days so the verdict was considered on the 14th July 1921.
26
What points to the fact that Sacco and Vanzetti were wrongfully proven guilty?
It aroused such strong emotions among the American people that it took a week to find a jury of 12 men, out of 875 who were called to the court.
27
When did Sacco and Vanzetti actually get their death sentence?
Six years later on 24 August 1927.
28
What did the governor of Massachusetts say about the trial in the 70's?
He granted Sacco and Vanzetti a formal pardon and accepted that a mistrial had taken place.
29
What were the roaring twenties?
Was a period in American histroy with dramatic social, economic and political changes. This decade had a booming economy which led to mass consumerism - ultimately leading to the rise of entertainment like sports games, music halls, movies and dance.
30
What was the impact of the radio in the 1920's?
- Americas first radio station KDKA, was started in the 1920's.
- By 1930 40% of all homes in the USA had a radio set.
- They gave Americans access to new types of music from dance bands to jazz.
31
What was the impact that newspapers and magazines had in America in the 1920's?
- There were very few serious articles, and they were written mostly on sports, fashion and movie stars. In 1922 ten magazines claimed a circulation of over 2.5 million.
32
What kind of impact did sport have in America in the 1920's?
Increasing affluence and leisure time saw the growth of spectator sports. In 1924 it was reported that 67,000 people went to watch the football game between Illinois and Michigan at the memorial stadium - but the most popular sport was baseball, with the most influential sportsperson being Babe Ruth (a baseball player).
33
What kind of impact did the model T have on America?
- It brought an immense sense of freedom to rural America especially to those living in rural areas (could go see information).
- It was able to run on rutted mud roads and gravel tracks.
- People were able to go to work much faster.
34
How did the price of the model T change?
- It was $1200 and by 1928 it was $295.
- 15 million model T's had been built by the time production was ended in 1928.
35
What even in the 1920's shows how much people loved Henry Ford?
- In the early 1920's a Ford-for-president movement developed but he quickly put a stop to it.
36
How did Henry Ford help regarding humanitarian issues?
- He order a ship in 1915 to sail to Europe to persuade both sides to stop fighting.
- He built his own hospital, maintained an orphanage and gave millions to schools and colleges.
37
Why did people respect Henry Ford so much?
Due to the fact that he was so rich and famous, Americans took note of what he said on matters other than business. He has the ear of powerful people and tried to influence national policy.
38
Which groups suffered in the 1920's?
- Farmers
- African Americans
- New immigrants
- People who worked in old industries
- Women
39
What was the main problem that set off the many problems to farmers?
- The price of grain collapsed and brought ruin to many small farmers.
40
How much were farmers being payed?
After the price of grain collapsed, three million farming families were earning less than $1000 per year.
41
How did farmers deal with the pay drop?
- Some were evicted.
- Some sold their land to clear debts.
- Many went as migrant workers to California.
- Others went to industrial cities to look for work.
42
What kind of farmers suffered?
Small farmers and the labourers who lost out.
43
Which farmers were fine?
Midwestern grain growers and the California and Florida fruit growers made a good living by shipping their produce in large quantities.
44
How did the poverty of the farmers effect other people who live in rural areas?
- Americans in rural areas make their income from selling machinery or providing services to farmers.
45
What were the main problems facing farmers in the 1920's?
- Overproduction and falling agricultural devices.
- Decline in export demand.
- Eviction from their farms.
- Competition with Canada over grain.
- Mechanisation meant that fewer farmers were required as they could do their jobs for them.
46
Where was the biggest concentration of African Americans?
In southern states where they were either labourers or sharecroppers.
47
How did African Americans suffer in the 1920's?
- Three quarters of a million black farm workers lost their jobs during the 1920's.
48
How did African Americans deal with losing their jobs?
They made their journey northward to find work in the cities. By the end of the decade, 25% of black people were living in Northern cities, but they still faced discrimination.
49
How did African Americans experience discrimination in the northern states?
- 60% of black women in the northern city of Milwaukee worked as low-paid domestic servants in white households.
- Car factories only hired blacks in small numbers; most operated an all-white policy.
50
What was the KKK?
- It was a white supremacy movement, and it used violence (lynchings) to intimidate African Americans.
- The movie - the birth of a nation - glorified the clan after it had been in decline.
- It became a powerful political force in the early 1920's.
51
What were the Jim Crow laws?
- White supremacy remained prevalent throughout these laws.
- It was an attempt to try and remind African Americans about who was in charge.
52
How did new immigrants suffer in the 1920's?
- They were paid very low wages.
- Were exploited for cheap-labour.
- They faced discrimination.
53
Where did new immigrants usually work?
In construction where there was a building boom, but constructions' workers wages only rose by 4% in the 1920's because immigrants were a form of cheap labour and some work was being mechanised.
54
What happened to the unemployment rate amongst new immigrants?
The unemployment rate amongst new immigrants remained high throughout the decade.
55
How did people who worked in old industries suffer in the 1920's?
- Steel industries skyrocketed while workers particularly those who work in raw materials (cotton, coal, tin and copper - were suffering.
- They overproduced these materials- prices dropped and wages fell.
- Mines closed.
56
How did people who worked in old industries deal with cut wages?
In 1992- 600,000 miners went on a four-month strike for better conditions but to no avail. The unions were broken as non-union mines charged less for their coal and got 65% of the market in 1926.
57
What changes did the war bring about for women in the 1920's?
- Women had been given the vote in 1920; meaning that they had political power.
- Women worked in wartime factories in large numbers showing that they could do the jobs just as well as men, and gave women the desire for more work opportunities.
58
How did the role of women in the 1920's affect work?
- Mechanisation in certain industries meant that physical strength was not so important.
- Regarding the radio industry - they were the preferred employees.
- Women began working in offices.
59
Why did some employers prefer women employees?
This is because they could pay them lower wages.
60
How many women were working by the end of the decade?
There were over 10 million women in paid employment - a 25% increase than in 1920.
61
What were some changes of social habits for women in the 1920's?
- Their clothes had changed; replaced by waistless knee-length, lightweight dresses which gave greater freedom of movement as well as being more daring.
- After the war short hair became a sign of liberation so many women cut their hair.
- Make-up became popular as its sales boomed.
- Women smoked in public and drove cars so they were no longer bound at home.
- They had more free time due to the development of home-helper technologies.
62
In what industries were women their main consumers?
- Womens magazines
- Radio and cinema were well aware that women formed a major part of their audience.
63
What is a flapper?
Was the name given to a liberated urban woman.
64
What did the flapper represent?
- An extreme example of the changes that were affecting many women (short skirts, bobbed hair, powdered knees, bright clothes and lots of make-up).
65
Between what years did prohibition take place?
January 1920 - December 1933
66
What is prohibition?
It meant that it was against the law to make, sell or transport alcoholic drinks in the USA. It was written into the American constitution by the 18th ammendment.
67
Why did America introduce prohibition?
- Temperance was very common feature of the groups who had settled in America in the 19th century.
- The dries became stronger with the formation of the Womens' Christian Temperance Union in 1873 and the powerful anti saloon league in 1893.
68
Which areas liked the idea of prohibition?
Mainly rural areas of the south and the midwest.
69
How did the first world war boost the image of prohibition?
The big American brewers were of German descent and had German names. The 'dries' used this to their advantage and portrayed drink as the cause of German aggression. The dries said that refusing alcohol was a patriotic duty.
70
How did prohibition affect the elections?
- By 1917 the anti-saloon league had made its way into politics
- Anybody who admitted to 'wet' sympathies knew that they would lose hundreds of votes.
71
What were some advantages of prohibition?
- Wife beating and lack of family support decreased 82%
- Drunkenness decreased 55.3%
- Assault decreased 53.1%
- Vagrancy decreased 52.8%
- Disorderly conduct decreased 51.5%
- Delinquency decreased 50.0%
- Deaths due to cirrhosis decreased 50.0%
72
Why could some people get around prohibition and still drink alcohol?
This is because consumption was not against the law.
73
Who were bootleggers?
They brought illegal liquor supplies into the cities; run was smuggled from the west Indies.
74
What locations did alcohol cross into with bootleggers?
Whisky crossed the river to Detroit from Canada.
75
Who made a lot of money on the illegal liquor trade?
Joseph Kennedy, father of the future president.
76
What was alcohol that was made at home called?
Moonshine and bathtub gin.
77
How many illicit stills were seized by government agents in 1930?
282,122
78
Whats the problem with homemade liquor?
- It was sometimes deadly.
- It caused serious poisoning.
- It caused blindness.
79
How did the police attempt to stop the trade of alcohol?
The prohibition bureau employed between 1500 and 2300 agents for the whole of the USA, giving them about 200,00 miles each.
80
Did the prohibition agents work?
- No
- One in twelve agents were sacked for taking bribes.
- It was either they take the bribe or risk getting beaten up or murdered by gangsters.
81
What effect did prohibition have on organised crime and corruption?
- Gangsters were making about $2 billion a year from it.
- Police were bribed to turn a blind eye.
- Prohibition didnt only affect civillians, but judges and state government officials
82
What happened once people accepted a bribe once?
- They were in the pocket of the gangsters for good as they can blackmail for even accepting the bribe in the first place.
83
How did prohibition end?
- The association against the prohibition amendment blamed it for the ills of society just as the old anti-saloon league had blamed alcohol.
- Women created a campaign to ban prohibition; the very same way they had for it to be introduced.
84
What were some positives of banning prohibition?
- Legalising alcohol could help to create jobs and prosperity.
- The government could get taxes from alcohol and stop wasting money on enforcement.
85
Why did prohibition fail?
- Lack of public support
- Problems of enforcement
- Organised crime
- Profits
- Big business
- Corruption
86
What was the st valentines day massacre?
It was the murder of seven members and associates of Chicago's North Side Gang that occurred on Saint Valentine's Day 1929. The men were gathered at a Lincoln Park, Chicago garage on the morning of February 14, 1929. They were lined up against a wall and shot by four unknown assailants, two dressed as police officers.
87
How did Al capone get so rich?
By selling illegal alcohol and using violence.
88
What did al capone do to show that he basically owned Chicago?
- He spent over 250,000 to get his own man, Big Bill Thompson elected as mayor.
89
Why was Al Capone viewed as robin hood?
He mixed violence with charity.
90
What was the great migration?
The 1920s marked the height of the Great Migration, a large-scale movement of African Americans from the rural South to urban areas in the North, Midwest, and West. Push factors such as racial violence, economic hardships, and limited opportunities in the South, coupled with the pull of industrial jobs and the hope for a better life, led to this migration.
91
What did African-Americans do in the 1920's?
- Harlem renaissance
- Racial Discrimination and Segregation
- Civil Rights Activism
- Racial Stereotypes and Representations
92
What was the Harlem renaissance?
The 1920s witnessed the cultural and artistic flourishing known as the Harlem Renaissance, centered in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City. African American writers, poets, musicians, artists, and intellectuals produced significant works, celebrating African American culture and addressing racial issues. Figures such as Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith emerged during this period, contributing to the cultural renaissance and the articulation of African American identity.
93
How did African Americans deal with racial discrimination and segregation?
- Despite cultural achievements, African Americans continued to face racial discrimination and segregation in various aspects of life.
- Jim Crow laws enforced racial segregation in public facilities, housing, and education, and racial violence, such as lynching, persisted. African Americans were denied equal access to employment opportunities, faced lower wages, and were often subjected to discriminatory practices.
94
How did African Americans deal with racial stereotypes and representations?
The mainstream media often portrayed African Americans through racial stereotypes, perpetuating negative images and reinforcing racial hierarchies. These stereotypes shaped public perception and contributed to the marginalisation and misrepresentation of African Americans in popular culture.
95
What was the wall street crash?
The Wall Street Crash, also known as the Stock Market Crash of 1929, was a sudden and severe collapse of stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange in October 1929. It marked the beginning of the Great Depression, a prolonged period of economic downturn and hardship. The crash led to widespread financial losses, bankruptcies, and a significant decline in economic activity, affecting individuals, businesses, and the global economy.
96
What happened on Monday 28th October 1929?
9,212,800 shares were bought and sold at rapidly falling prices. Three million shares were sold in the last hour of business alone.
97
What happened on Tuesday 29th October 1930?
16,410,030 shares were traded in the worst day in history of the New York stock market. Buyers could not be found at all and panic set in. Shares lost their value and the wealthy, as well as the shareholders, were hit badly.
98
What were some causes of the wall street crash?
- Speculation
- Buying on the margin
- Overproduction
- Trade
99
What was speculation?
It was a form of gambling that involves buying shares and then selling them for a quick profit.
100
How did speculation affect the economy?
The price of shares rose out of all proportion to their real value due to frantic buying and selling.
101
What was buying on the margin?
Buying a share for a small percentage of the total value.
102
How did buying on the margin affect the economy?
The availability of margin loans fueled increased participation in the stock market. Many investors, including individuals who had previously been unable to afford stocks, entered the market using borrowed money. This surge in demand for stocks drove up prices and created a sense of optimism and confidence in the market.
103
How did over-production affect the economy?
-The market was becoming saturated - those who could afford goods bought most of what they wanted, too many goods were reaching the market, and there were not enough people who could afford to buy them.
104
How did trade affect the economy?
The USA was not able to sell its surplus to European countries.
105
Why was the USA not able to sell its surplus to European countries?
- They owed the USA so much money in war loans and were struggling to pay them back.
- The US government put high tariffs on imported goods and American businesses were so strong that European companies could not sell their products to America to earn the dollars to buy American goods.
106
What did the wall street crash lead to?
It lead to a serious slump in production and was followed by the collapse of the economy, knows as the great depression.
107
How did those in the cities contribute to the depression?
- American factories produces cars and consumer goods.
- But not enough people could afford them.
- So their factories couldn't sell their goods to Americans (overproduction).
- They couldn't sell their produce abroad either due to tariff barriers.
- So factories cut production.
- They also cut wages.
- And their work force.
- Which led to the depression.
108
How did the countryside contribute to the depression?
- Farmers produced too much food.
- Prices fell.
- Farmers and their workers had less money coming in.
- Farmers grew even more food to make money.
- Prices fell lower.
- Farmers could not buy debts or mortgages.
- The banks took over the farms to pay off the debt.
- Which led to the depression.
109
How did those in downtown New York contribute to the depression?
- The wall street crash of 1929 sent shares plummeting downwards.
- Banks which had invested their customers' money in shares lost a fortune.
- The banks called in any outstanding loans to customers
- People lost confidence in the banks and took their money out
- Many banks went bust:
* 659 in 1929
* 2294 in 1931
- With their loans called in, many companies also went bankrupt. Between 1929 and 1932 109,371 business failed.
- More factories closed. By 1932 industrial production in the USA was half that of 1929.
- This led to even higher unemployment; 11 million in 1929; 14 million by 1933.
- Which led to the depression.
110
How did the depression affect people in the cities?
- Unemployment
- Homelessness
- Helping the poor
- Self-help
111
How did the depression affect unemployment in the cities?
- By 1933 the number out of work had risen to at least 14 million.
- Factories laid off workers and reduced their wages
- Car production was cut by 80% and the road and car building construction fell by 92%.
- The average hourly wage in the manufacturing industries fell from 59 cents in 1926 to 44 cents in 1933
112
How did the depression affect homelessness in the cities?
- When people fell behind on mortgage repayments they would be evicted from their homes to hand them over to the banks - if no one would buy their house.
- A vast number of people had nowhere to go and lived on the streets
- An estimate of 2 million men in 1932 travelled from place to place on railway freight wagons seeking work and children were found sleeping in railcars or close to the railway lines.
113
How did people help the poor in the cities?
- There was no unemployment benefit for people who lost their livelihood.
- There were public relief problems but due to the cutbacks of taxes those could evidently not aid everyone
- Private charities and wealthy individuals helped - setting up soup kitchens and cheap meal centers to feed the hungry.
114
How many children in New York were undernourished?
One-fifth of all children in New York.
115
How was there self-help in the cities?
- Groups of unemployed men organised themselves to help poor families and prevent them from being evicted from their homes.
- The men would trade things like unmarketable timber, fruits and vegetables and would exchange them for services like the doctor.
116
How did the depression affect people in the countryside?
- Farmers' produce prices fell so low that farmers could not even afford to harvest their crops.
- As their income fell more and more farmers went bankrupt and were evicted by the banks.
117
What was the dustbowl?
Between 1930 and 1936 the south and Midwest suffered a serious drought. After many hot summers (with little to no rainfall), the top soil turned to dust and the wind whipped the dust into storms which smothered everything in sight. Thousands of farms were ruined.
118
What industry prevailed in the 1930's?
Hollywood.
119
What did Hoover think about the depression when it first began?
He took the view that it wouldn't last long and that the country would soon return to prosperity.
120
What year did the government first start taking action (Hoover) ?
1932.
121
What was the banking crisis?
- In 1929 659 banks failed as banks failed people stopped trusting them and many withdrew their savings.
- in 1930 another 1352 went bankrupt
- the biggest of these was the bank of the United States and New York, which went bankrupt in December of 1930
- Americans saw escalating problems in European Banks full stop. Panic set in.
- people felt that hard currency was the only security so they would keep currency and safety deposit boxes or under their mattresses as they felt that hard currency was the only security.
- Another 2294 banks went under in 1931.
122
What was the downward spiral?
- America's now kept their money instead of buying new Goods or shares
- banks had less money to give out in loans
- bank started to demand businesses to repay loans. As businesses could not afford to do so they went bankrupt
- by 1933 there were 14 million unemployed and 5,000 Banks had gone bankrupt
- total farm income had slipped to just 5 billion
- the USA's international trade was drastically reduced from 10 billion dollars in 1929 to 3 billion dollars in 1932
123
How did Hoover deal with people being hungry and homeless and that they need help with jobs?
- Hoover didn't believe in the fact that the federal government should provide relief for the hungry and homeless he said that it was the responsibility of local state governments and charities but they didn't have enough money.
- Controlling the river would also prevent floods and create a reservoir for irrigation of crops.
- The government provided $423 million for building program to provide new jobs an example of this is the Hoover Dam on the Colorado River this failed because it was not enough money for it
124
How did Hoover deal with food prices falling, farmer's income very low?
To help farmers the board bought Surplus Farm produce to keep prices up this didn't work because the slide and prices was so great and they didn't have enough money.
125
How did Hoover help with people not buying manufactured goods. Businesses collapsing or cutting back on production and staff?
Hoover offered no real solution for the following demand for goods.
126
How did Hoover help people who can't sell manufactured goods to foreign countries?
He introduced The Hawley-smoot Act of 1930. It increased customs duties on a wide range of imported foodstuffs and manufactured items by 50%. , however few people could afford Goods whether they were produced at home or abroad. Foreign countries were annoyed so they retaliated by taxing American Goods so trade fell even further.
127
How did hoover help businesses that were failing because the banks won't and the money. More unemployed?
He introduced the Reconstruction Finance Corporation of 1932. This provided loans totalling $150,000 million to business in order to help them get back on their feet.
128
How did Hoover help employers paying low wages. Workers having no money to buy Goods?
Hoover encouraged employers to make voluntary agreements with their Workforce to keep wages up in production steady, unfortunately these did not work.
129
Who was Franklin D Roosevelt?
Roosevelt worked as a lawyer before entering politics is a senator. After only 3 years he was made assistant secretary to the Navy. He then got sick. In 1928 he became the government the governor of New York State. Roosevelt believed that government should help the poorer citizens. He organized the first game by any state to help the unemployed
130
Who won the 1932 election?
Roosevelt won the election with about 7 million more votes than Hoover.
131
Who were the people that worked with Roosevelt known as?
The Brains trust.
132
What did Roosevelt and the brainstrust do?
They worked together to produce an enormous range of sweeping measures.
133
What did Roosevelt do during his first 100 days?
- he promised action, and action now.
- Roosevelt demanded extra powers to take action quickly the Senate and the House of Representatives were prepared to give him the same Authority as if the country was being invaded. This special session of Congress lasted exactly 100 days during this time 13 new laws were passed to deal with the emergency.
134
What was the New Deal?
The New Deal was a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the United States between 1933 and 1938.
135
What were the main aims of the New Deal programme?
- Relief
- Recovery
- Reform
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What was relief?
Relieve extreme poverty, feed the starving and stop people losing their homes or farms.
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What was recovery?
Revive the economy by getting industry going and people working again.
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What was reform?
Make the USA a better place for ordinary people by bringing in measures such as unemployment insurance and old-age pensions, and help for the sick, disabled, and needy.
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What were the fireside chats?
He spoke to American people through the radio. He explained his actions in a simple and direct way. These broadcasts were astonishingly successful.
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What was the Emergency Banking Act?
- Banks closed for 4 days, and only those approved by the federal government reopened.
- It encouraged people to invest their money in the banks.
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What did the federal emergency relief Administration do?
- They tackled the Urgent needs of the poor
- 500 million dollars was spent on soup kitchens, blankets, employment schemes and Nursery schools
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What was the Civilian Conservation Corps?
- It was aimed at unemployed young men and it provided jobs for them, most of the work they did was regarding environmental projects in national parks.
- Around 2.5 million men were helped by the scheme.
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What was the Agricultural Adjustment Administration?
- It tried to take a long-term View it's facing farmers it helped Farmers to modernize and to use farming methods that would conserve and protect the soil.
- They would also receive help with their mortgages in the worst case scenario.
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What was the Tennessee Valley Authority?
- It was set up to help farmers and others in the Tennessee Valley it provided cheap hydroelectric power to Farms.
- 20 dams prevented flooding and millions of trees were planted.
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When did the second New Deal go into action?
June of 1935
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What was the Second New Deal aimed at fixing?
It was aimed to fight for the members rights, financial Security and old age- as well as continuing to tackle unemployment.
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What was passed as a result of the second new deal?
- The Wagner Act
- The Social Security act
- The works progress administration
- The resettlement administration
- The security administration
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What was the Wagner Act?
It forced employers to allow trade unions in their companies and to let them negotiate pain conditions making it illegal to sack workers for being in it a union.
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What was the Social Security Act?
- It provided State pensions for the elderly and for widows it allowed state governments to work with the federal government to provide help for the sake and the disabled.
- It also set up a scheme for unemployment insurance
Employers and workers made a small contribution to a special fund each week when workers became unemployed, they would receive a small amount to help them out until they could find work
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What was the works progress administration?
It brought together all organizations whose aim was to create jobs it created jobs for office workers and even unemployed actors, artists and photographers.
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What was the resettlement administration?
- Helped small holders in tenant farmers who had not been helped by the AAA
- It moved over 500,000 families to better quality land and housing.
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What was the security administration?
It gave special loans to Farmers to help them buy their land.
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Why did the second new deal come about?
The Second New Deal was introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1935 to build upon and expand the original New Deal, addressing ongoing economic challenges through new and improved initiatives
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What happened in 1936?
Roosevelt faced his second presidential election.
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Who did Roosevelt face in the election of '36?
Alfred Landon, a respected and popular politician. They tried to use criticism of the president and his policies to win back the support they had lost in 1932. But Roosevelt won again, with over 27 million votes.
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What is an interesting fact about the extent that Roosevelt won the 1936 election?
He won a majority in all but two states. The people had made it clear what they thought.
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Why was it no surprise that the people of America had voted for Roosevelt in 1936, disregarding the fact that he had won the previous year?
America was a country which had been built on the ideas of individual effort and self-reliance, with minimum government intervention in the lives of the people.
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Which groups of people believed that the New Deal interfered too much in people's lives?
- Businesses.
- Republicans.
- The rich.
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What exactly did businesses not like about the New Deal?
- The government interference in their affairs.
- They were angry about Roosevelt's support for trade unions and the campaign to raise wages.
- They disliked having to pay social security contributions for their workers.
- They objected to schemes like the TVA, which they said competed unfairly with privately owned businesses.
- They criticised all the codes and regulations of the NRA and other agencies as confusing and difficult to administer.
- In 1934 a group of business leaders formed the liberty league to oppose the New Deal.
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What exactly did the republicans not like about the New Deal?
- They claimed that Roosevelt was behaving like a dictator and making the government too powerful. He was even compared to Hitler and Stalin.
- They said that the TVA and NRA schemes were just like the communist economic planning of the Soviet Union.
- They believed that the Social Security Act would undermine the American way of life by making people lazy and dependent on government help.
- The Republicans also objected to the huge cost of the New Deal. They claimed that much of the money was being wasted; for example, the WPA was paying people to do unnecessary jobs.
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What exactly did the rich not like about the New Deal?
- Many wealthy Americans resented having to pay higher taxes to pay for the work of the New Deal agencies.
- They were bitter that Roosevelt's policies had taken away some of their power.
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What happened to unemployment in 1936?
There were still around nine million unemployed in the USA. Although this was a reduction of over four million since Roosevelt became president in 1932, it was seen as failure by the critics who wanted the government to take even more radical action.
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What does radical mean?
A term that describes extreme political views. It can also mean a person or group who hold these views.
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Which groups had still not received help by 1936?
The old did not receive pensions until 1940 and the plight of many agriculture workers remained desperate, despite the work of the resettlement administration.
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Which people believed that the New Deal was not doing enough?
- Huey Long.
- Doctor Francis Townsend.
- Father Coughlin, the 'radio priest'.
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Who was Huey Long?
Huey Long had been elected Governor of Louisiana, a poor southern state, in 1928. He had won the election by promising to increase taxes for the rich and use the money to build more roads, hospitals, and schools. Ince in office, he carried out his promises but he used bribery and corruption to run the state. At first, Long supported the New Deal but by 1934 he was attacking it for not doing enough for the poor. Long remained popular with the whites in Louisiana and had a following across the USA. But he also had many opponents and in 1935 he was assassinated by a young doctor.
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What were Huey longs opposing arguments to the New Deal?
- He proposed a 'share our wealth' scheme. He wanted all personal fortunes of over $5 million to be confiscated and the money be shared out.
- He said every American family should be given between $4000 and $5000.
- He also promised a minimum wage, houses for war veterans, pensions and completely free education.
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What were Doctor Francis Townsend's opposing arguments to the New Deal?
Doctor Frances Townsend had one very specific idea. He proposed that everyone over the age of 60 should get a pension of $200 a month provided they spent the money during the month and gave up their jobs. He thought this would provide jobs for young people, create a demand for goods, and help the old who had been neglected.
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How was the populations' love for Doctor Frances Townsend shown?
Many older people liked his idea and 7000 'Townsend clubs' sprang up across the USA.
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Who was Father coughlin, the 'radio priest'?
Father Coughlin broadcast his ideas on radio to some 40 million Americans on Sunday evening during 'the Golden Hour of the Little Flower'. His praise for Roosevelt at the beginning of the New Deal soon turned to vicious attacks. However, his ideas were rather confused and his audience had largely faded away by 1940.
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What were Father Coughlins' opposing arguments to the New Deal?
- He accused Roosevelt of failing to tackle the problems of the poor.
- He set up the National Union for Social Justice which attracted millions of members from all over America.
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What is the supreme court?
It can block any measures by the president and any laws passed by congress if the judges decide that these are unconstitutional.
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What were the political beliefs of the judges of the supreme court in the 1930's?
Republicans that believed that the New Deal was undermining the American constitution, which was designed to defend individual freedom against excessive government control.
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What were the supreme courts' opposing arguments to the New Deal?
- In 1935, the supreme court deemed that the National Industrial recovery act (NIRA) was unconstitutional because the constitution did not allow a president to make laws to control businesses.
- In 1936, it declared that measures taken by the Agricultural Adjustment Administration were unconstitutional on the grounds that regulations about agriculture could only be made by individual states and not by central government.
- Several other New Deal measures were also attacked by the Supreme court judges.
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What did Roosevelt say the problem was with the supreme court and how did he fix it?
Roosevelt was determined that the Supreme court should not stop his reforms. The nine judges of the Supreme court were all old and six of them were over 70. Roosevelt wanted them to retire but he could not force them to do so. Following his sweeping victory in the 1936 presidential election, he asked congress to give him the power to appoint six new judges to the court.
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How would appointing 6 new judges to the court help Roosevelt?
He would be able to pick judges who he knew would be sympathetic to the new deal. However, Roosevelts attempt to 'pack the court' with judges who agreed with him caused alarm across America, even amongst his own supporters.Many Democrats thought that this would give the president too much power. Some accused him of wanting to rule America as a dictator. There was overwhelming opposition from Congress and Roosevelts plan was rejected.
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What consequently followed Roosevelts idea of appointing 6 new judges?
The judges had been shaken up by the Presidents' action and some of them retired voluntarily soon afterwards. The new judges were less hostile to the New Deal. Most of the useful parts of the NIRA were accepted by the court in more carefully constructed laws. When the Wagner act and the Social Security act were reviewed by the court later in 1937, they were both judges to be constitutional, despite their unpopularity with many republicans.
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How were blacks viewed after the first and second new deals?
- Blacks remained second-class citizens.
- There was still widespread racism and discrimination.
- In the new deal, blacks were put in separate CCC camps, and in the new town in the Tennessee valley, blacks were not allowed to live there.
- Black people found it hard to get work. By 1935, around 30% of them were living on relief.
- Jobs were usually given to whites and the jobs that blacks did get were often menial ones.
- The 1940 census showed that only one in 20 blacks had a desk job compared with one in three witches.
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Why was Roosevelt partly responsible for this?
- Roosevelt failed to put through civil rights laws particularly and anti-lynching law. He claimed he needed the support of the democratic congressman in the South to carry through the New Deal, and they were firmly opposed to civil rights for blacks or any measures to help them as a special group.
- Although black people did not benefit from the new deal as much as whites, thousands did receive much more relief than ever before. Around 200,000 blacks benefitted from the CCC program and they got a large share of housing in slum-clearance projects. Also, black people were given positions of responsibility in the New Deal Administration.
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Did the New deal help Native Americans?
It tried to. A number of New Deal measures were aimed directly at improving the situation of Native American Indians.
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Which organisations helped Native Americans?
- The Indian reorganisation Act of 1934 provided money to buy reservation land so that it could be owned by tribes rather than individuals, this would stop Outsiders taking over. Government loans helps Native American Indians to set up businesses and by farming equipment. The amount of land they owned went up from 47 million acres to 50 million Acres.
- The Indian Reservation Act of 1934 gave Native American Indians the right to manage their own affairs, such as setting up their own courts of law. They were encouraged to follow their own cultural and religious traditions.
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Did the New Deal help women?
Not really, as few of the New Deal measures were aimed at women.
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What did the new Deal aim to help instead of women?
Many of the programs were based around construction and manual labor, traditionally the work of men. Only about 8,000 women were included in the CCC program., the number of women employed did go up during the 1930s, but this was largely because they were cheap labor. Their average wage was half that of men in 1937.
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What is an example of a failure when the new deal attempted to help women?
The Social Security Act required the state governments to provide money for women and their dependent children. But a number of states tried to avoid paying this by introducing other conditions such as no payments for women with illegitimate children.
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Where did women prosper with the new deal?
One area where women did Advance was in the New Deal agencies themselves. Woman were given positions of responsibility, running the agencies. Mary Macleod Bethume, a black woman, became head of the National Youth Administration and helped thousands of young blacks. The biggest success story was that a Francis Perkins who became Secretary of Labor in Roosevelt's government. This was the first time a woman had reached such a high level. Perkins was responsible for supervising many of the New Deal labor regulations.
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What happened to unemployed workers who staged demonstrations?
They were often met with violence, as in 1930 when police attacked a crowd of 35,000 demonstrators in New York.
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What was the biggest flaw with labour unions?
They were useless without government support.
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Why was it evident that the workers did not have the governments' support?
There was a wave of violent industrial conflicts in the mid 1930's
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What are examples of the wave of violent industrial conflicts in the mid 1930's?
In 1934 in Toledo, Ohio, a seven-hour battle took place between strikers and National Guardsmen. In 1935 several unions joined together to form the Committee for Industrial Organisation (CIO) which was big enough to bargain with the giant companies. They organised strikes and sit-ins.
One of the main targets of the CIO was the steel industry. Some of the steel companies gave in and signed contracts recognising unions and agreeing basic hours and wages. But other companies decided to bring in strike-breaking armies. In Chicago this led to the 'Memorial Day Massacre' in
1937. The Republic Steel Company refused to negotiate a contract, so the CIO organised a strike of its workers. On 31 May strikers and their families marching outside the factory were attacked by 500 armed Chicago police. Ten marchers were killed and 90 wounded.
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What were some advantages of the New Deal in relation to unemployment?
- Job Creation Programs: The New Deal introduced various programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), that provided employment for millions of people through public works projects, helping alleviate unemployment.
- Social Security Act: The Social Security Act of 1935 established a system of social insurance, providing financial support to retirees, the disabled, and the unemployed, offering a safety net for vulnerable populations.
- Banking and Financial Reforms: The New Deal implemented measures like the Glass-Steagall Act to stabilize the banking sector and restore public confidence in financial institutions.
Regulation of Securities Market: The Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 introduced regulations to ensure transparency in the securities market, reducing the risk of another stock market crash.
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What were some disadvantages of the New Deal in relation to unemployment?
- Criticism for Prolonging the Depression: Some critics argue that certain New Deal policies, such as the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), may have hindered economic recovery by imposing regulations on businesses and limiting competition.
- Inadequate Relief for Agricultural Sector: While the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aimed to stabilize farm incomes, some aspects of the New Deal's agricultural policies faced criticism for not effectively addressing the needs of struggling farmers.
- Limited Success in Achieving Full Employment: Despite the job creation programs, the New Deal did not completely solve the unemployment problem, and full employment was not achieved until the mobilization efforts of World War II.
- Budgetary Concerns: The New Deal programs required significant government spending, leading to concerns about budget deficits and the national debt.
- Discrimination in Program Implementation: Some New Deal programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, faced criticism for perpetuating racial and gender inequalities in their implementation.
- Supreme Court Challenges: Several New Deal programs faced legal challenges, with the Supreme Court striking down certain key components, causing some setbacks to the overall reform agenda.
