Unit 1.1 - The Changing Political Environment (COMPLETE) Flashcards
What was the impact of the First World War?
- Germany was sounding out Mexico as an ally against the USA.
- Woodrow Wilson brought America into the war in 1917 after campaigning against it.
- When the war ended many Americans felt involvement was a mistake despite the boost in economy.
- Americans also disliked Wilson’s attempts to involve the USA even more closely in international affairs post war.
What did WASPs understand ‘normalcy’ to be?
- A return to things as they had been before the war.
- This would remove all the social problems that arose post war.
What economic and social discontent arose post WW1?
- When Harding took power there was a short sharp economic Depression.
- Unemployment rose from 950,000 in 1919 to 5,010,000 in 1921.
- There were protests, strikes and riots.
How did Harding define ‘normalcy’?
- Normalcy was a stable, steady way of life.
- Harding didn’t want to turn the clock back.
- Harding wanted to shift the focus back to the USA again.
What did Harding say the government had to do in order to spark the return to ‘normalcy’?
- Balance the governments books.
- reduce taxation on American people.
- Introduce tariffs to protect US trade and industry.
- Provide countrywide radio.
- He also said there should be a committee established to study ‘the race question.’
What was the appeal of Republicanism?
- Reaction to Wilson’s behaviour as president & to WW1 led people to turn to Republican ideals.
- Republicans encapsulated the policy of Laissez faire.
- Harding looked to be a president who wouldn’t interfere.
What corruption happened in Harding’s government?
- Harding himself wasn’t corrupt.
- He gave jobs to friends who were corrupt.
- Many abused their positions to make money.
- resulted in the administration as a whole looking corrupt.
What image did Calvin Coolidge perpetuate?
- He combined Laissez-faire with dignity and morality.
- Republicans hoped this would restore their name after the corruption within Harding’s government.
What occurred in America during Coolidge’s presidency?
- America entered a period of recovery and prosperity.
- The public began to feel that Republicanism was working.
What was the issue with the 1920’s economic boom?
- The ‘boom’ had serious flaws.
- These flaws were unclear at the time.
- Only in hindsight can these flaws truly be appreciated and acknowledged.
Why did the economic boom cause problems for Hoover?
- The USA had growing social and economic problems.
What did Hoover’s 1920s presidency campaign claim?
Claimed that the Republicans had:
- Eliminated poverty.
- Encouraged Equality.
- Restored the economy.
- And that the Democrats would ruin all this progress.
What was ‘Rugged Individualism’?
- Where people who could look after themselves would make their own way in the world and prosper.
- Realising the American Dream.
What did those who believed in the policy of Rugged Individualism feel the USA should react in domestic and foreign affairs?
- USA should isolate itself from other countries.
- People, even the poor and homeless were weakened by government support as it sapped their self-reliance.
- USA should restrict immigration.
What were the consequences of the Wall Street Crash in 1929?
- Unemployment soared.
- people lost their homes.
- Banks and businesses failed.
- Hoover chose not to intervene as he believed the economy would right itself, like it did before.
What were the problems with the Economic Boom in the 20s?
- Boom based on credit.
- Banks lending too much money.
- Businesses and people borrowing too much.
- Farm produce prices were falling.
- Most of the buying in the boom was based off consumer goods and eventually everyone owned them.
What did Hoover believe the answer was to save the economy following the Wall Street Crash?
- Private Charities set up by businesses and the wealthy.
- They would be able to offer help on a local, personal level.
- Felt the most the government could do would be to encourage this type of support.
What did Hoover set up in 1930?
- The President’s Emergency Committee for Employment.
What was The President’s Emergency Committee for Employment?
- A temporary organisation.
- Dedicated to finding work projects for the unemployed.
- Tried to persuade businesses to create more jobs.
- It was overwhelmed.
How did Hoover encourage business men to invest in the economy?
- By setting up similar organisation to that of the President’s Emergency Committee for Employment.
What did Hoover do between 1930-1932?
FEDERAL INTERVENTION
- Moved from encouraging private help to giving federal help to states. (Advised states on projects and giving the funding.)
What did Hoover do when he realised his federal help was falling short?
- Asked congress for help.
- Unwelcome change in direction for many people.
- Many measures Hoover tried to put into place were rejected by congress.
- Those that were passed put the government into debt.
What was the significance of the Bonus Army?
- As the Depression hit many war veterans asked for their money early which the government refused.
- Bonus Army marched to Washington to make their demands in person in 1932 but were met with federal violence.
- Reports tried to cover up the mistreatment of Troops by labelling them Communist Agitators.
- Hoover lost a significant amount of popularity due to the way the Bonus Army was treated.
What helped Roosevelt win the 1932 election?
- Offered a ‘New Deal’.
- Excellent Communicator.
- Effective Governor of New York.
- The instability of the Republican Party.
- The Landslide Election and Hoover’s loss.
What did Roosevelt ask for in order to implement his New Deal thinking?
- FDR asked congress for special powers to deal with the economic situation.
- He saw providing government aid as more important than balancing the budgets.
- Insisted that Government was responsible for the welfare of the people.
- Stressed the importance of rapid, national action.
How did Roosevelt change the presidency?
- Confident, charming, pragmatic and persuasive.
- Determined to restore confidence into the American People.
- Introduced Fireside Chats.
- Held ‘Off the record’ press meetings twice a week which ensured the press had the same understanding of what was going on.
- Elected for 4 terms.
What was the impact of the Second World War?
- Roosevelt was a wholehearted supporter of the allies and consequently employed schemes to help. (1941 Lend-Lease Act and the Destroyers-for-bases deal.)
- Due to the peoples negative reaction to WW1 he promised the USA to remain neutral, however if young men wanted to fight they wouldn’t face consequences.
- FDR geared USA up for war-time production boosting industry and farming.
- The USA joined the war in 1941 after Pearl Harbour leading to a steep drop in unemployment.
- Working week extended and wages rose.
What was the personality of Truman?
- Not charismatic.
- Not confident.
- Overwhelmed by job.
- Made mistakes under pressure. ‘To err is Truman’
What was Truman’s relationship with the media like?
- Saw working with media as important.
- Gave careful briefings on economic policy.
- Sometimes didn’t explain well enough (Korean War)
What was Truman’s relationship with the public like?
- Didn’t instantly appeal.
- Didn’t try to connect.
- Didn’t try to explain strategy.
- Sometimes made serious mistakes in ad-lib speeches.
What was Truman’s organisational ability like?
- Worked well with Whitehouse Administration; didn’t always choose the right people.
What was Truman’s relationship with Congress like?
- Worked less well with congress (Despite Republican majority after 1946)
- Blocked many reforms he wanted to make.
- Had fewer contacts and less able to network and charm.
What was the personality of Eisenhower?
- Deliberately cultivated friendly manner.
- Optimistic.
What was Eisenhower’s relationship with the media like?
- Saw working with media as important.
- Often minimised or obscured issues. (USSR being first into space; missile gap issue.)
What was Eisenhower’s relationship with the public like?
- Good public manner.
- Used clear imagery within speeches.
What was Eisenhower’s organisational ability like?
- Exceptional organisation.
- Set up regular briefings and long-term planning sessions.
- Had everyone concerned into debate a discussion.
What was Eisenhower’s relationship with Congress like?
- Worked well with congress.
- Good at political bargaining and persuasion.
What was the personality of JFK?
- From a political family.
- Understood importance of charm.
- Worked hard on speech-making and self-presentation.
What was JFK’s relationship with the media like?
- Saw working with media as important.
- learnt names.
- had personal chats.
- used television really well.
What was JFK’s relationship with the public like?
- Good public manner.
- Accessible.
- Attractive.