Unit 1.1 - The Changing Political Environment (COMPLETE) Flashcards
1
Q
What was the impact of the First World War?
A
- 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.
2
Q
What did WASPs understand ‘normalcy’ to be?
A
- A return to things as they had been before the war.
- This would remove all the social problems that arose post war.
3
Q
What economic and social discontent arose post WW1?
A
- 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.
4
Q
How did Harding define ‘normalcy’?
A
- 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.
5
Q
What did Harding say the government had to do in order to spark the return to ‘normalcy’?
A
- 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.’
6
Q
What was the appeal of Republicanism?
A
- 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.
7
Q
What corruption happened in Harding’s government?
A
- 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.
8
Q
What image did Calvin Coolidge perpetuate?
A
- He combined Laissez-faire with dignity and morality.
- Republicans hoped this would restore their name after the corruption within Harding’s government.
9
Q
What occurred in America during Coolidge’s presidency?
A
- America entered a period of recovery and prosperity.
- The public began to feel that Republicanism was working.
10
Q
What was the issue with the 1920’s economic boom?
A
- The ‘boom’ had serious flaws.
- These flaws were unclear at the time.
- Only in hindsight can these flaws truly be appreciated and acknowledged.
11
Q
Why did the economic boom cause problems for Hoover?
A
- The USA had growing social and economic problems.
12
Q
What did Hoover’s 1920s presidency campaign claim?
A
Claimed that the Republicans had:
- Eliminated poverty.
- Encouraged Equality.
- Restored the economy.
- And that the Democrats would ruin all this progress.
13
Q
What was ‘Rugged Individualism’?
A
- Where people who could look after themselves would make their own way in the world and prosper.
- Realising the American Dream.
14
Q
What did those who believed in the policy of Rugged Individualism feel the USA should react in domestic and foreign affairs?
A
- 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.
15
Q
What were the consequences of the Wall Street Crash in 1929?
A
- 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.
16
Q
What were the problems with the Economic Boom in the 20s?
A
- 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.
17
Q
What did Hoover believe the answer was to save the economy following the Wall Street Crash?
A
- 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.
18
Q
What did Hoover set up in 1930?
A
- The President’s Emergency Committee for Employment.
19
Q
What was The President’s Emergency Committee for Employment?
A
- A temporary organisation.
- Dedicated to finding work projects for the unemployed.
- Tried to persuade businesses to create more jobs.
- It was overwhelmed.
20
Q
How did Hoover encourage business men to invest in the economy?
A
- By setting up similar organisation to that of the President’s Emergency Committee for Employment.
21
Q
What did Hoover do between 1930-1932?
A
FEDERAL INTERVENTION
- Moved from encouraging private help to giving federal help to states. (Advised states on projects and giving the funding.)
22
Q
What did Hoover do when he realised his federal help was falling short?
A
- 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.
23
Q
What was the significance of the Bonus Army?
A
- 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.
24
Q
What helped Roosevelt win the 1932 election?
A
- Offered a ‘New Deal’.
- Excellent Communicator.
- Effective Governor of New York.
- The instability of the Republican Party.
- The Landslide Election and Hoover’s loss.
25
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.
26
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.
27
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.
28
What was the personality of Truman?
- Not charismatic.
- Not confident.
- Overwhelmed by job.
- Made mistakes under pressure. 'To err is Truman'
29
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)
30
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.
31
What was Truman's organisational ability like?
- Worked well with Whitehouse Administration; didn't always choose the right people.
32
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.
33
What was the personality of Eisenhower?
- Deliberately cultivated friendly manner.
| - Optimistic.
34
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.)
35
What was Eisenhower's relationship with the public like?
- Good public manner.
| - Used clear imagery within speeches.
36
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.
37
What was Eisenhower's relationship with Congress like?
- Worked well with congress.
| - Good at political bargaining and persuasion.
38
What was the personality of JFK?
- From a political family.
- Understood importance of charm.
- Worked hard on speech-making and self-presentation.
39
What was JFK's relationship with the media like?
- Saw working with media as important.
- learnt names.
- had personal chats.
- used television really well.
40
What was JFK's relationship with the public like?
- Good public manner.
- Accessible.
- Attractive.
41
What was JFK's organisational ability like?
- Poor.
- Advisors competed for attention.
- Didn't work together.
- Robert Kennedy and Theodore Sorensen did most of the work.
- Abandoned Eisenhower's regular meetings.
- Didn't always consult the right people.
- Less long-term planning.
42
What was the personality of Johnson?
- Experienced in politics.
- Understood importance of winning people over.
- Could change his style and opinions to get what he wanted.
43
What was Johnson's relationship with the media like?
- Not a natural with the media.
| - Careful to keep them informed.
44
What was Johnson's relationship with the public like?
- Patchy.
- Speeches varied from being good and stiff.
- Better in small groups.
45
What was Johnson's organisational ability like?
- Kennedy's organisation didn't suit him but kept it.
| - His own organisation was good.
46
What was Johnson's relationship with Congress like?
- Worked well with congress.
- Understood how to use connections and persuade.
- Good at thinking creatively.
47
What was the personality of Nixon?
- Clever.
- Capable.
- Suspicious.
- Hated people disagreeing with him.
- Could make spur-of-the-moment decisions then backtrack.
48
What was Nixon's relationship with the media like?
- Distrusted the media.
| - Very bad at managing the media (Watergate)
49
What was Nixon's relationship with the public like?
- Not good with people.
| - Often seemed awkward and insincere.
50
What was Nixon's organisational ability like?
- Reinstated regular meetings and briefings with Whitehouse staff.
- Not good at taking advice.
51
What was Nixon's relationship with Congress like?
- Awkward with congress due to suspicious nature.
- Found congress easy to manage.
- Found making personal connection and persuasion hard.
52
How did the media lead to a decline in confidence during 1968-1980?
- People had wider access to media than they had in previous years.
- Under FDR Media saw their role as explaining policies.
- However the mishandling of Media under Truman led to criticism.
- The media responded well under Kennedy.
- From 1968 the media saw their role as uncovering government deception.
53
How did scandal lead to a decline in confidence during 1968-1980?
- The Watergate Scandal (1972-74)
Showed the Whitehouse and Nixon were guilty of burglary and surveillance of political opponents.
Tapes showed Nixon in a terrible light (swearing, suspicious of everyone & happy to lie to American people.)
- Confidence hit rock bottom as the media exposed both the crime and the coverup.
54
How did the mishandling of events lead to a decline in confidence during 1968-1980?
- After FDR, Presidents were more involved in decision making and therefore could not avoid taking responsibility in conduct of Vietnam War.
- As the media exposed army scandals and government mishandling of the Vietnam War, opposition grew.
- Issues of trust.
55
How did the Whitehouse Administration lead to a decline in confidence during 1968-1980?
- FDR enlarged the Whitehouse Staff and created bureaus that reported to the president, not congress.
- Staff members began acting in the presidents name without consultation first: taking bribes and made deals.
- The costs of staffing and campaigning rose so presidents needed more money, becoming dependent on those who donated funds.
56
How did social factors lead to a decline in confidence during 1968-1980?
- Violent police reaction to protestors only escalated after 1968.
- Chicago became notorious for police violence against demonstrators.
- 1970, National Guard killed 4 students and seriously wounded 9 at Kent State University during a protest against the Vietnam War.
- Between 1968-80 many white middle-class became disillusioned with 'liberal' thinking. Believed that gov was doing too much to help the poor and not them.
- The 1965 Voting Rights Act caused many white democrats to vote republican.
- Some civil rights activists became increasingly violent when the gap between laws underlining their rights and the enforcement of them showed no sign of closing.
57
How did the presidents lead to a decline in confidence during 1968-1980?
(4 Presidents)
- Johnson put US troops in Vietnam without congress' approval and communicated poorly with press & public.
- Nixon's public communication style was forced and few warmed to him as a person. Mismanagement of Watergate and later revealed corruption shocked many.
- Negative Public reaction to Nixon's corruption meant they could not forgive Gerald Ford for his pardoning.
- Ford's poor public relations caused them to vote for Carter instead who was politically inexperienced.
- Carter was poor at managing congress and his presidency was marked by poor decisions and inflexibility.
58
Why was there a First Red Scare?
- Inspired by Russian Revolution of 1917
- During WW1 workers hadn't gone on strike over wages, hours or working conditions.
- Striked when conditions didn't improve post war.
- Communist Party of America (CPUSA) and Communist Labour Party (CLP) were gaining popularity.
- Anarchists distributed pamphlets in many cities urging revolution.
- More than 3600 strikes in 1919.
59
What was the impact of the First Red Scare on America?
- Anti-Communist feeling escalated.
- Businesses sacked employees.
- People began to suspect their neighbours.
- People no longer felt free to express their opinions.
- KKK targeted 'un-American' groups.
- 556 deported after cases were properly considered.
- Attorney General Palmer Predicition of 'Red Revolution' failed to occur.
- Anti-Communist feeling never went away.
60
Why was there a second Red Scare in 1947-1954?
- Second Red Scare had more basis than the first.
- Elizabeth Bentley and Whitaker Chambers told HUAC they had been a part of a Moscow Spy Ring & named other government employees.
- China became Communist in 1949 & USSR held first Nuclear War test.
61
What factors led to a climate of fear during 1947-1954?
- China becoming communist.
- Civil rights of suspected communists were being ignored.
- Investigation of HUAC in 1947.
- Thousands of influential people in Hollywood blacklisted.
- Hollywood 10 refused to answer questions and were eventually imprisoned.
- Eastern Europeans were gradually falling under Communist control.
62
What was the significance of Joseph McCarthy?
- 1950, gave a speech claiming he had the names of 205 Communists working in the State Department. When asked for this list he claimed to have left it on a plane and revised the number to 56.
- Started a trend of 'Red Baiting'
- Despite having ill-substantiated facts he had a lot of supporters.
- Accusations were a mix of half-truths and lies.
- Lost his influence when he turned this attention towards the army in 1953 where he was accused of 'hurling accusations' at people.
63
What was the result of an Anti-Communist feeling during 1954-80?
- Curb on civil liberties.
- FBI given powers to investigate people and bring them to be questioned by loyalty boards or HUAC on little evidence.
- FBI opened letters, tapped phones, bugged offices and homes.
- Behaviour was moving towards those of repressive communist regimes.
64
What was Liberalism?
- It meant forward-thinking, flexible, concerned with welfare and willingness to be less suspicious abroad.
- All were values of the American Dream and gained support from both Republicans and Democrats.
65
What socio-economic group were Liberals mainly apart of?
- Usually educated.
- Middle-class.
- Sometimes even wealthy.
66
What did Liberals support?
- Equality.
- Civil rights.
- Social welfare.
- Believed government intervention could improve things and were prepared to limit individual liberties to help those in need.
67
What idea did Liberal politicians put forward?
- Positive Discrimination.
| - Gave preferential treatment in employment, education, social welfare or other areas of life to the 'Five Minorities'.
68
Who fell under the 'Five Minorities'?
- American Indians.
- Asians.
- Black.
- Hispanics.
- Women.
69
What did Donald Peterson (Liberal Delegate) do in 1968?
- Held a 2000 strong march against police brutality following a violent anti-war protest where the police used tear gas and batons.
70
What was counter-culture and what were the 2 main movements?
- Young people rejecting the values set by previous generations.
- Distrusting the political machine.
- Wanted to change society by changing culture.
- Hippies and Radical Student Groups.
71
What did Hippies want?
- Loosen tight family system.
- Live in communal societies.
- Believed in peace and a simple way of life.
- Some took drugs and believed in a wider sexual freedom than marriage gave.
72
What was the most famous Hippie gathering?
- Woodstock Festival.
- Just under 200,000 tickets sold.
- 400-500 thousand people came.
- roads closures, loud music, drugs available and sexual freedom.
- embodiment of the hippie values.
73
What did Radical Student Groups want?
- Wanted to change society to produce more equality.
| - Wanted to change everything from the way their courses were formed to ending the Vietnam War.
74
What was the Students for a Democratic Society (SDS)?
- 1960.
- Student group that rejected all forms of bigotry including racism and anti-communism.
- Protested, often violently, against Vietnam War.
75
What was the 1962 SDS' Port Huron Statement?
- Denounced conventional politics as having forgotten the principle that all men are equal.
- Urged a return to equity.
76
What was the Free Speech Movement?
Where did they lead a campaign?
What methods of protest did they use?
- Radical group.
- Led a campaign on the University of California Campus at Berkley in 1964.
- Used sit-ins and peaceful protests to advocate for free speech on campus.
77
What happened when a student was arrested for campaigning for CORE?
- Students took over the main square and the protest escalated.
- During the 2 months it ran over 700 students were arrested.
78
What did the Ohio National Guard do on the 4th of May 1970?
- Ohio National Guard shot 4 unarmed students and injured 9 during a protest against the invasion of Cambodia during the Vietnam War.
79
What happened on the 24th of August 1970 outside an army research base in Madison?
- A bomb was detonated outside an army research base in Madison.
- Killed one researcher and injured 4.
- $60 million dollars worth of damage.
80
What was the Conservative reaction to counter-culture?
- Older Americans were bewildered.
- Counter-culture:
challenged family values,
rejected consumer culture
rejected the idea of hard work & striving for success.
rejected traditional Christian values and patriotism.
81
What was the 'New Right' Campaign?
- Campaign to restore law and order and traditional values.
| - Nixon campaigned for presidency using New Right policies.
82
What movement emerged during the 1970s?
- Religious Right Movement.
- Campaigned for a return to traditional family values.
- Moved away from liberal policies such as contraception and abortion.
- Many groups also campaigned to keep laws against homosexuality.
83
What were the problems regarding a 'return to normalcy'?
- Normalcy wasn't linear for all Americans. (Black soldiers wanted more equality, but WASP's understood a 'return to normalcy' to be a return to life pre-ww1.)
- In 1921 there was a short, sharp economic depression.
- 950,000-5,010,000 unemployed.
- Social discontent: Strikes, protests & riots.
84
What were the solutions regarding a 'return to normalcy'?
- Balance Government books: reduce taxation, introduce tariffs to protect trade and industry.
- Provided national radio.
- Committee set up to study the 'race question' & how best to solve it. As well as looking after the least well off possibly through a Department of Welfare.
85
Why was there more US involvement after WW2?
- WW2 got USA more involved abroad.
- It became apparent that world events impacted America so it became important that they became a leading power in order to influence such events.
- USA was founding member of the UN in 1945.
86
What was the impact of Nuclear Defence on Domestic Policy?
- Once it became clear that the USSR had nuclear capabilities the US had to be seen to be preparing for Nuclear Attack.
- 1951: Nuclear Defence Administration set up.
- Schools ran regular 'duck and cover' exercises.
- 1956: Interstate Act Road Network was designed for rapid evacuation of cities.
- 1958; Fallout shelter could be bought for $1300.
87
What was the impact of The Arms Race on Domestic Policy?
- Between June 1947-1948 the USA's holdings of atomic bombs rose. (13 to 50)
- The Arms Race resulted in both sides stock piling enough nuclear weapons to cause massive devastation.
- Funding of Arms Race became a political bone of contention in debates.
88
What was the impact of The Armed Services on Domestic Policy?
- The creation of a large permanent military force affected domestic policy.
- Military cost money to run, but also provided jobs and was a major customer to many businesses.
- The existence of the army, the Cold War and the Arms Race caused a Republican/Democrat and a Hawkes/Doves divide that crossed political boundaries.
89
What was the impact of the Cold War on the Presidency?
- Power of president to go to war/make treaties without congress grew with the USA's involvement with the UN & NATO.
- The presence of nuclear weapons meant warfare could happen at anytime so the president had the power to react at once without approval from congress.
- The National Security Act created both the CIA and the National Security Council which reported to the president not congress.
- 1947 National Security Act reorganised US military forces under a new Defence Department and as commander-in-chief the president could move forces without permission from congress.
90
What was the impact of the Korean War on domestic policy?
- Korean War emphasised how the Cold War shifted presidential attention away from domestic policy and towards international policy.
- Presidents had more freedom to act alone in foreign policy but all domestic policy had to go through congress.
- The Cold War led to an expectation that the US had to be involved in global affairs as they were the only country with the capabilities to match the USSR.
- The reigns of domestic policy began to shift back to congress.
91
What was the impact of the Korean War on the presidency?
| MEDIA INFLUENCE
- Marked a shift in the way the media dealt with the president.
- Initially promised Truman support under the condition that he gave them the same kind of access to information that they had under FDR and during WW2.
- Truman held back from the media as the didn't want to inflame the anti-Communist feeling.
- Desperate for news the media began looking for information from other sources; becoming more critical and even indulging in pure speculation.
- 1951 Truman sacked General MacArthur after he openly criticised and disobeyed direct orders but was met with little support.
- When issues with the USSR required peaceful resolution his opponents stated it didn't sound like the Truman Doctrine (lack of understanding as TD stressed financial & economic aid not fighting.)
- Part of the American Dream required a fair, co-operative and self-regulating government. However behaviour of various parts of government over Korean War contributed to the beginnings of disillusionment with the presidency and government in general which only worsened.
92
What was the impact of the Vietnam War on Domestic Policy?
- Vietnam War created similar budget concerns as the Korean War and spending on the war was said to have contributed to rising inflation.
- President & Government lost credibility due to unpopular policies and the escalation of the war out of their control.
- 1961 'Lottery Draft' selected men aged 18-26 to fight in Vietnam War.
- Some men were too young to drink/vote but were still expected to fight in war.
- The draw had radio, film and TV coverage
- The 'gameshow' element made it easy for WASP's to get their sons out of the draw through exemption/sending them abroad.
- Became symbolic for young men to burn their draft cards despite being illegal and draft-dodging became common.
93
Who protested against the Vietnam War?
- All parts of society protested against the war.
- 1967 the Vietnam Veterans Against the War (VVAW) marched in a peace demonstration in New York and quickly gained a membership of over 30,000.
- VVAW campaigned to show the atrocities of war and the poor way soldiers were treated upon return.
- Lack of PTSD understanding meant that men were told to get on with it despite struggling to settle back in to normal life and keep jobs.
94
What role did the media play during the Vietnam War?
- Media coverage was intensive.
- As the war progressed the coverage became more and more up close.
- the media exposed:
Soldiers going to war high on drugs and being rewarded with beer and ice cream for having a high kill count.
Massacre of entire village of civilians.
Spraying Agent Orange on villages not empty fields.
- Media shocked by ethos prevailing in Vietnam.
- Not a war to be fought honourably as their opponents were 'just gooks'.
- Walter Cronkite retuned from Vietnam and reported scathingly. His programme increased public reaction against the war.
- Johnson was heard saying he had lost the support of 'middle America'.
95
What was the impact of the Vietnam War on the presidency?
- Vietnam war cast a shadow over 4 presidencies and drove successive unpopular domestic policies.
- Extent of presidential powers in foreign affairs meant responsibility was firmly placed on their shoulders.
- Presidents found themselves more and more involved in a war the people despised.
- Became increasingly difficult to leave the war without putting many South Vietnamese at risk.
- The final withdrawal from the War reflected poorly upon the presidency and government.
- American people witnessed a helicopter evacuation of Saigon taking out US citizens and some South Vietnamese. Leaving the rest for North reprisals.
- People were relieved US was out of war but were humiliated to have fought a 'dirty war'.
- Vietnam was the first war the US had lost and the first which was seen by so many.
- Many people now looked more critically at the role and the behaviour of the future presidents.
96
What was the 1947 National Security Act?
- Reorganised US military forces under a new defence department.
- As Commander-in-Chief the president could move forces without permission from Congress.
97
Who did Truman sack in 1951 and why?
- Sacked General MacArthur after he:
Openly criticised Truman.
Disobeyed direct orders.
- Despite this Truman's decision was met with little support.
98
What did the Veterans Against the War (VVAW) organise in 1967?
- Marched in a peace demonstration in New York.
| - Quickly gained a membership of 30,000.
99
Between June 1947 and 1948 how much did the USA's holdings of atomic bombs rise by?
-Rose form 13-50.
100
What was set up in 1951?
Nuclear Defence Administration set up.
101
What was the 1956 Interstate Act Road Network?
- Designed for rapid evacuation of cities.
102
How much could fall out shelters be bought for in 1958?
- $1300
