Topic 1: Economic Downturn & Recovery

Question 1

By 1932 how many were unemployed?

Answer 1

13 million

Question 2

Name 3 impacts of the Great Depression

Answer 2

1. Unemployment increased
2. Suicide rates increased
3. Less demand for American consumer goods

Question 3

Compare black unemployment with white unemployment in 1933.

Answer 3

Black unemployment = 50% 1933
White unemployment = 20% 1933

Question 4

What was the name of ‘alternative’ homes set up because many people and lost theirs?

Answer 4

Hoovervilles

Question 5

Why did more than 1 million farmers move West?

Answer 5

Poor farming methods and the drought of 1931 turned the soil to dust.

Question 6

What had suicide rates increased to at its peak by 1932?

Answer 6

17.4 suicides per 1000 people

Question 7

How many veterans took part in the Bonus March in 1932?

Answer 7

12,000

Question 8

What was the aim of the Bonus March?

Answer 8

Veterans wanted an early payment for their bonus.

Question 9

How did President Hoover respond to the marches?

Answer 9

He refused to pay and instead sent the army in to burn their camps down. A baby was killed and 100 were injured due to tear gas.

Question 10

What were Hoover’s 3 tactics to deal with the Great Depression?

Answer 10

1. Hawley - Smoot Tariff Act 1930
2. Rugged Individualism
3. Laissez-Faire

Question 11

Who won the 1932 election and created the New Deal?

Answer 11

Roosevelt

Question 12

Explain the Three R’s.

Answer 12

Relief: Removing poverty by providing food and prevent people losing homes/farms.
Recovery: Boost the economy, provide job opportunities.
Reform: Welfare to help the unemployed, sick, disabled and destitute (poor).

Question 13

What was Laissez-faire and Rugged Individualism?

Answer 13

Laissez-faire = a policy of minimum governmental interference.
Rugged Individualism = individuals are responsible for the outcome for their own lives

Question 14

What were Roosevelt’s Fireside Chats?

Answer 14

President Roosevelt used the radio to communicate with the American people using plain language to explain complex issues and programs. These had a reassuring and steadying effect on the public and boosted confidence.

Question 15

What was included in the organisations dubbed “The Alphabet Agencies”?

Answer 15

• Emergency relief $500million for unemployed
• Creation of jobs for men 18-25 eg. planting trees
• Set fair prices, wages and working conditions.

Question 16

What was the ‘Sick Chickens’ case of 1935?

Answer 16

4 brothers sold diseased chickens unfit for human consumption. The brothers appealed to the Supreme Court because the NIRA (which governed fair prices, wages and competition) gave the federal government powers that it should not have to interfere in state affairs.

Question 17

What did Roosevelt attempt to do in the Supreme Court in 1937? What was the result?

Answer 17

He attempted to retire Supreme Court judges over 70 and replaces with younger supporters of his deals. This was unconstitutional and damaged his reputation.