Unit 6: Chapter 21

Question 1

Who was blamed for the Great Depression?

Answer 1

President Herbert Hoover

Question 2

Define the Term: Hoovervilles

Answer 2

Shantytowns made of makeshift houses that came from increased homelessness due to the depression

Question 3

How high did unemployment get in the Great Depression

Answer 3

Nearly 25%

Question 4

Define the Term: Public Works

Answer 4

Government financed construction of public facilities

Question 5

What was Hoover’s overall response to the Great Depression

Answer 5

Reserved, he wanted to let the market solve the problem, not the government

Question 6

Define the Term: Work Relief

Answer 6

Employment in a government job with the goal of decreasing unemployment

Question 7

Define the Term: Deficit Spending

Answer 7

Spending more than you take in, in government this refers to more spending then government brings in through taxes

Question 8

What policy led to a dramatic decrease in trade with Europe?

Answer 8

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

Question 9

What political figure came up to challenge Hoover for the Presidency?

Answer 9

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Question 10

What condition did FDR have that impacted his ability to walk?

Answer 10

Polio

Question 11

What is the overarching term for FDR’s recovery plan?

Answer 11

The New Deal

Question 12

Why did FDR reject Hoover’s request to approve of his plans post election but pre-inauguration

Answer 12

He didn’t want to get any of the blame should they fail

Question 13

What were FDR’s first two actions upon taking office?

Answer 13

Called congress into session, and declaring the bank holiday

Question 14

Define the Term: Bank Holiday

Answer 14

The governments suspension of all banking services, and allowing them to reopen only after government approval

Question 15

What group did FDR assemble to assist in policy making/critique?

Answer 15

Brain Trust

Question 16

How did FDR revolutionize the relationship between the President and the population?

Answer 16

By engaging in his Fireside Chats

Question 17

Define the Term: Social Security Act

Answer 17

Established pensions for the elderly and unemployment insurance for workers. Relied on there being more workers than retirees

Question 18

What socialist institution exists today as a result of the New Deal

Answer 18

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Question 19

What were the critiques Roosevelt fielded from the right?

Answer 19

Expense of the new deal
Federal involvement in American life
Supreme Court overruled portions of the New Deal as unconstitutional

Question 20

What were the critiques Roosevelt fielded from the left?

Answer 20

Felt he didn’t go far enough
Wanted higher taxes on the wealthy
Called for more wealth distribution

Question 21

Describe Roosevelts response to Supreme Court rulings

Answer 21

Wanted to increase the court by up to 6 justices for every justice over 70 who didn’t retire

Question 22

What was the result of the election of 1936?

Answer 22

Roosevelt won all but 2 states

Question 23

What was the common purpose of the agencies created under the New Deal?

Answer 23

To provide jobs for the nation’s unemployed

Question 24

How did many families get food during the depression?

Answer 24

Bread lines provided through charity

Question 25

What groups were hit heaviest during the Depression and why?

Answer 25

Minorities, because they had little representation within the government, and because of prejudice

Question 26

What event caused a decrease in food supply

Answer 26

A drought leading to the Dust Bowl

Question 27

What practice helped contribute to the Dust Bowl?

Answer 27

Overfarming/erosion

Question 28

What federal agency was created in the 1930’s?

Answer 28

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Question 29

Who was the first director of the FBI

Answer 29

J. Edgar Hoover

Question 30

What voting pattern changed as a result of FDR support for poor/minority people?

Answer 30

African-Americans shifted from Republican favored to Democrat favored