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USA1919-41 Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a boom in economic terms?

A

An economic state of growth with rising profits and full employment.

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2
Q

What was the number of automobiles in the USA in 1919 and 1929?

A

1919 = 9 million, 1929 = 26 million.

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3
Q

Describe the cycle of prosperity.

A

More sales = more production = more wages = more spending.

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4
Q

What consumer goods became popular during the economic boom?

A
  • Fridges
  • Radios
  • Telephones
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5
Q

What entertainment options were prominent in the USA during this period?

A
  • Hollywood
  • Cinemas
  • Jazz clubs
  • Speakeasies
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6
Q

What role did the stock market play in the economic boom?

A

The stock market (Wall Street) was a key component of the economic growth.

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7
Q

What is laissez-faire?

A

A policy meaning ‘leave alone’ where the government makes few restrictive laws.

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8
Q

What was the purpose of tariffs during the economic boom?

A

To encourage consumers to buy American goods by taxing foreign products.

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9
Q

How did low taxation contribute to the economic boom?

A

It allowed people to keep more money to spend on American goods.

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10
Q

What are trusts in the context of this economic period?

A

Super-corporations that dominated certain industries, like Carnegie (steel) and Rockefeller (oil).

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11
Q

Who was Henry Ford and what was his contribution to the automobile industry?

A

He aimed to produce affordable cars and pioneered the assembly line.

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12
Q

How did the assembly line affect car production time?

A

Reduced production time from 13 hours to 1 hour and 33 minutes.

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13
Q

What was the price of the Ford Model T in 1908 and 1925?

A

1908 = $850, 1925 = $290.

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14
Q

How did Ford address worker boredom in his factories?

A

He doubled workers’ wages to $5 a day.

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15
Q

What industries were impacted by the automobile boom?

A
  • Glass
  • Rubber
  • Steel
  • Road building
  • Petrol
  • Advertising
  • Garages
  • Motels
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16
Q

What was the significance of advertising in the 1920s?

A

There was a massive increase in advertising, especially on radio and cinema.

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17
Q

What was the credit system that developed during the economic boom?

A

Consumers bought goods on credit, paying bit by bit, also known as instalment plan buying.

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18
Q

What economic condition contributed to many Americans being in debt during the 1920s?

A

A booming economy with jobs allowing for repayments

Despite the debt, the booming economy made repayments manageable for many Americans.

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19
Q

What evidence indicates growth in American consumer goods from 1915 to 1929?

A

Increase in ownership of cars, telephones, and radios

The data shows a significant rise in consumer goods during this period.

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20
Q

What industrial innovations helped increase production in the 1920s?

A

Assembly line techniques and electricity in factories

These advancements allowed for more efficient manufacturing processes.

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21
Q

What was significant about the building boom in the 1920s?

A

Roads doubled, and there was a demand for factories, offices, and public buildings

The 1920s saw a surge in construction to accommodate growing urban areas.

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22
Q

What was the main form of entertainment in America by the end of the 1920s?

A

Cinema

Many Americans attended the cinema several times a week.

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23
Q

What was a characteristic of movies made before 1927?

A

They were silent films with piano accompaniment

This changed with the introduction of sound in films.

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24
Q

Name three popular genres of films in the 1920s.

A
  • Comedies
  • Romance
  • Westerns

These genres attracted large audiences during the decade.

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25
Q

What role did advertising play in the cinema’s popularity?

A

It built up the reputations of movie stars and studios

Companies like MGM and Warner used advertising to promote films and actors.

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26
Q

Why was cinema considered affordable during the prosperous 1920s?

A

Because America was prosperous and going to the cinema was cheap

The economic boom allowed many to enjoy leisure activities like cinema.

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27
Q

What technological advancement in cinema occurred in 1929?

A

The invention of ‘talkies’

This innovation made films more appealing to audiences.

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28
Q

What did Joseph Kennedy note about the motion picture industry in 1927?

A

It was already the fourth largest industry in the country

This highlights the rapid growth and significance of cinema in American culture.

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29
Q

What concerns did some people have about the celebrity culture of the 1920s?

A

They believed it lowered moral standards

Public scrutiny of stars’ lives led to scandals needing cover-ups.

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30
Q

What was one rule regarding kisses in films during the 1920s?

A

Kisses could not last for more than 10 feet of film

This limitation reflects the conservative attitudes towards on-screen intimacy at the time.

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31
Q

Who became one of the greatest comedians in cinema history?

A

Charlie Chaplin

Chaplin was a living example of the ‘American Dream’.

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32
Q

What is the ‘American Dream’ as exemplified by Charlie Chaplin?

A

The idea that anyone can succeed in America with talent and hard work

Chaplin was born into a poor family in London and moved to the USA.

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33
Q

Name three famous films by Charlie Chaplin.

A
  • The Kid
  • The Great Dictator
  • The Vagabond

These films reflect cultural developments in America.

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34
Q

What musical styles contributed to the development of Jazz?

A
  • Blues
  • Ragtime

Jazz emerged from traditional black music.

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35
Q

By the end of the 1920s, how many people were reached by radio?

A

Over 50 million

Radio became a popular form of entertainment.

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36
Q

What impact did radio have on advertising?

A

Increased advertising to fund programs

People became more socially and politically aware.

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37
Q

What were the names of two new dances popular in the 1920s?

A
  • Charleston
  • Black Bottom

These dances were faster and more suggestive than traditional dances.

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38
Q

What was a common claim about jazz and dancing in the 1920s?

A

They were causing a moral decline

This was a concern among some older Americans.

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39
Q

Who was Louis Armstrong?

A

The first important soloist in jazz

He was influential in music history and known for his trumpet playing and voice.

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40
Q

What characterized flappers in the 1920s?

A
  • Short hair
  • Heavy make-up
  • Shorter dresses

Flappers shocked traditionalists with their independence.

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41
Q

What significant political change occurred for women in 1920?

A

They were given the right to vote

This change empowered women in society.

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42
Q

Did all women benefit from the changes in the 1920s?

A

No

Changes primarily affected white, middle, or upper-class women.

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43
Q

Fill in the blank: Jazz music became popular in most clubs and _______ during the 1920s.

A

speakeasies

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44
Q

What does prohibition mean?

A

Prohibition was a ban on the sale and production of alcohol introduced in the USA in January 1920.

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45
Q

What were the names of the two main movements that wanted prohibition?

A
  • Anti-Saloon League
  • Women’s Christian Temperance Union
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46
Q

What were the illegal bars and illegal drinks called during prohibition?

A
  • Speakeasies
  • Moonshine
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47
Q

In what areas were the temperance movements strongest?

A

In rural areas and among women.

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48
Q

What were supporters of prohibition known as?

A

Dries.

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49
Q

What argument did prohibition supporters use about the impact of alcohol on infants?

A

3000 infants a year were smothered in bed by drunk parents.

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50
Q

What accusation was made against drinkers during WWI?

A

Drinkers were accused of being unpatriotic cowards.

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51
Q

Why were big breweries portrayed negatively during WWI?

A

Most were run by German immigrants who were seen as the enemy.

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52
Q

What did prohibition supporters claim about alcohol and lawlessness?

A

Drinks caused lawlessness.

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53
Q

What was said about drinking after the Russian revolution?

A

Drinking was said to encourage the spread of communism.

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54
Q

How were saloons viewed by prohibition supporters?

A

Saloons were seen as dens of vice that destroyed family life.

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55
Q

What was the success argument regarding alcohol consumption during prohibition?

A

Alcohol consumption fell and did not reach pre-1914 levels until 1971.

56
Q

What happened to 50 million liters of illegal alcohol in 1929?

A

They were discovered and destroyed.

57
Q

What was the legacy of prohibition regarding alcohol consumption?

A

Actual consumption of alcohol fell for many years after prohibition ended.

58
Q

What was the failure argument regarding the enforcement of prohibition?

A

It was impossible to enforce due to insufficient police.

59
Q

What illegal activities emerged as a result of prohibition?

A
  • Speakeasies
  • Moonshine production
  • Bootlegging
60
Q

What adverse effects did moonshine have during prohibition?

A

Poor quality moonshine sometimes killed people.

61
Q

What was ‘Jackass brandy’ known to cause?

A

Internal bleeding.

62
Q

Which famous gangster was associated with the growth of violence and crime during prohibition?

A

Al Capone.

63
Q

What did the 21st Amendment do in 1933?

A

It abolished Prohibition.

64
Q

Fill in the blank: Drinking continued during prohibition, making criminals of ordinary people and leading to the growth of _______.

A

Gangsterism.

65
Q

What ideology did communism go against in America?

A

The American Dream, which celebrated capitalism and the pursuit of wealth.

66
Q

What was the significance of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial?

A

Two Italian anarchists were found guilty of armed robbery and murder despite evidence of their innocence.

67
Q

What was the outcome of the Sacco and Vanzetti trial?

A

They were executed in 1927.

68
Q

What were the demographics of immigrants in America before 1890?

A

Most were ‘WASPs’ (white Anglo-Saxon Protestants) from wealthier European countries.

69
Q

What change occurred in American immigration patterns after 1890?

A

More immigrants started arriving from Eastern Europe and Asia.

70
Q

What did the 1917 Immigration Law require of immigrants?

A

Prove they could read English, banned immigration from Asia, and charged an $8 fee.

71
Q

What was the main provision of the 1921 Emergency Quota Act?

A

Limited immigrants from the eastern hemisphere to 3% of the number already in America in 1910.

72
Q

What was the maximum number of immigrants allowed per year under the 1921 Emergency Quota Act?

A

357,000.

73
Q

What did the 1924 Reed-Johnson Act establish?

A

Set the maximum number of immigrants at 154,000 and reduced quotas for the eastern hemisphere to 2%.

74
Q

What was the maximum number of immigrants allowed from South and East Europe per year under the 1924 Act?

A

20,000.

75
Q

What event is referred to as the Wall Street Crash?

A

The stock market crash that happened in 1929.

76
Q

What was one cause of the Wall Street Crash related to production?

A

Over-production of consumer goods.

77
Q

How did unequal distribution of wealth contribute to the crash?

A

The rich got richer while the poor often got poorer.

78
Q

What role did high import tariffs play in the Wall Street Crash?

A

They led to retaliatory tariffs that made American goods too expensive abroad.

79
Q

What was a consequence of speculation on the stock market during the 1920s?

A

Panic selling triggered the market crash.

80
Q

What was the industrial production drop during the Great Depression?

A

45%

This significant decline in industrial production was one of the key indicators of the economic crisis.

81
Q

How many banks went out of business during the Great Depression?

A

5,000

The collapse of banks contributed to the financial instability of the period.

82
Q

By 1932, how many people were unemployed in America?

A

Over 13 million

This figure highlights the severity of the economic depression.

83
Q

What term was used to describe workers who left their land to find work?

A

Hobos

Many farmers lost their land due to the economic crisis and environmental issues.

84
Q

What environmental disaster exacerbated the economic situation for farmers in the 1930s?

A

Dustbowl

Overproduction in the 1920s contributed to this disaster, making farmland unsuitable for crops.

85
Q

What were shanty towns called where many people lived after losing their homes?

A

Hoovervilles

Named after President Hoover, these towns symbolized the struggles of the impoverished.

86
Q

What did people have to join to receive food during the Great Depression?

A

Breadlines

These lines were formed as people sought food supplied by charities.

87
Q

What was the public sentiment towards President Hoover during the Great Depression?

A

People started to hate him

His refusal to acknowledge the severity of the problems led to widespread discontent.

88
Q

What was the Bonus Army?

A

A group of ex-army soldiers protesting for early pension payments

Their treatment during the protests sparked outrage across America.

89
Q

What was a significant consequence of America recalling its loans to European countries?

A

It caused the depression to become global

This action contributed to the worldwide economic crisis.

90
Q

What was Hoover’s slogan regarding the economy during the Great Depression?

A

‘Prosperity is just around the corner’

This statement contributed to public frustration with his leadership.

91
Q

What was the popular slogan reflecting public sentiment towards President Hoover?

A

‘In Hoover we trusted and now we are busted!’

This slogan encapsulated the disillusionment with Hoover’s presidency.

92
Q

What was one of Hoover’s attempts to address the economic crisis?

A

He passed a Bill in 1932 allowing Congress to spend $2.1 billion on creating new jobs

This was an effort to stimulate the economy, although it was seen as insufficient.

93
Q

What policy did Hoover’s administration believe in regarding economic intervention?

A

Laissez faire

This hands-off approach was criticized during the economic downturn.

94
Q

Who won the 1932 election against Hoover?

A

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt’s approach to government and economic recovery contrasted sharply with Hoover’s.

95
Q

What did Roosevelt believe in regarding government intervention?

A

Strong ‘active government’ to improve lives

He aimed to use public funds to create jobs and tackle social issues.

96
Q

What approach did Roosevelt take in seeking advice for important issues?

A

He consulted a range of experts including factory owners and union leaders

This strategy aimed to create informed policies for recovery.

97
Q

What was Roosevelt’s campaign message during the election?

A

A ‘New Deal’

Roosevelt aimed for change and promised a ‘New Deal’ to the American people.

98
Q

How many votes did Roosevelt win by in the election?

A

7 million votes

This was a landslide victory for the Democrats.

99
Q

What significant emergency powers did Roosevelt receive from Congress?

A

From 9 March to 16 June 1933

This period is referred to as the ‘Hundred Days’.

100
Q

What was one major action Roosevelt took to restore confidence in the government?

A

Abolished Prohibition

This restored faith in the government and increased revenue.

101
Q

What were ‘fireside chats’?

A

Radio broadcasts by FDR explaining his policies

FDR made sure to reply to letters and calls from the public.

102
Q

What did the Emergency Banking Act accomplish?

A

Closed banks for four days to check financial soundness

This restored confidence in the banking system.

103
Q

What organization was created to regulate the Stock Exchange?

A

Securities and Exchange Commission

This was to prevent another stock market crash like in 1929.

104
Q

What was Roosevelt’s approach to government budgets?

A

Did not run deficit budgets

He cut government employees’ pay by 15%, which worsened the depression.

105
Q

What did the Farm Loan Act and Bankruptcy Act do?

A

Prevented banks from closing failing businesses

This allowed businesses a chance to borrow from the Federal Reserve.

106
Q

What did the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aim to achieve?

A

Stop over-production and drive up prices

Farmers were paid to take fields out of production.

107
Q

What was the purpose of the National Recovery Administration (NRA)?

A

To encourage businesses to cut production and pay good wages

2.5 million firms, employing 22 million people, joined the scheme.

108
Q

What significant labor reform did FDR implement?

A

Abolished Child Labour

This reform aimed to put more adults into work.

109
Q

What restriction did FDR place on gold ownership?

A

Stopped people from owning gold

Citizens had to deposit their gold in banks.

110
Q

What action did the government take regarding gold during FDR’s administration?

A

Made the banks give all the gold to the government

This increased the price of gold from $20 to $35 an ounce, stopping hoarding and increasing government reserves.

111
Q

What were the main goals of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)?

A

Provided paid conservation work for unemployed young men

By 1941, 2.5 million men participated and contributed to tree planting and park development.

112
Q

What was the purpose of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)?

A

Provided matched funding to help states organize payments to the unemployed and homeless

FERA aimed to alleviate poverty during the Great Depression.

113
Q

What type of projects did the Works Progress Administration (WPA) run?

A

Provided work for the unemployed through projects like building airports, schools, hospitals, and bridges

Millions earned wages and felt valuable through WPA initiatives.

114
Q

What did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) accomplish?

A

Built 21 dams in ten years, stopped flooding, provided cheap electricity, and created jobs

The TVA played a significant role in regional development.

115
Q

What was the main opposition to FDR’s New Deal by 1935?

A

Opposition from the Supreme Court and some businessmen

The Supreme Court ruled the NRA and AAA illegal, while businessmen criticized the NRA as expensive and wasteful.

116
Q

What was the National Labour Relations Act also known as?

A

Wagner Act

This act protected workers’ rights to join trade unions and established the National Labour Relations Board.

117
Q

What did the Soil Conservation Act of 1935 aim to do?

A

Allowed the government to continue subsidizing farmers

It replaced the banned Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA).

118
Q

What was the significance of the Social Security Act of 1935?

A

Provided America’s first system of social welfare

It established systems for old-age pensions, assistance for disabled individuals, aid for children in need, and unemployment insurance.

119
Q

What financial assistance did the National Housing Act of 1937 provide?

A

Provided loans to buy houses and reduced excessive rents

It aimed to improve housing conditions during the Great Depression.

120
Q

What did the Fair Labour Standards Act (1938) establish?

A

Set hours and conditions of work, fixed a minimum wage

The Act aimed to improve labor conditions and protect workers’ rights.

121
Q

What are the five successes of the New Deal known as the 5Rs?

A
  • Relief
  • Roads and buildings
  • Reform
  • Roosevelt’s popularity
  • Repercussions

These successes highlight the various positive impacts of the New Deal on American society.

122
Q

What was one major relief provided by the New Deal?

A

Help with mortgages and jobs from alphabet agencies

Alphabet agencies were government programs established to provide relief during the Great Depression.

123
Q

Which programs provided valuable economic and social infrastructures during the New Deal?

A
  • WPA (Works Progress Administration)
  • TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)

These programs contributed significantly to public works and infrastructure development.

124
Q

What social reforms were introduced by Roosevelt’s New Deal?

A
  • Social security
  • Minimum wage
  • Labour relations
  • Trade unions

These reforms aimed to protect the rights and conditions of ordinary people.

125
Q

How many times was Roosevelt elected?

A

Four times

Roosevelt’s popularity was a testament to his impact and the public’s support for his policies.

126
Q

What was one repercussion of the New Deal for American democracy?

A

Democracy survived in America, serving as a model for government behavior

The New Deal influenced democratic governance and welfare systems in other countries.

127
Q

Did the New Deal end the Great Depression?

A

No, it did not end the Depression

The Depression persisted until the economic demands of World War II stimulated production.

128
Q

What was a consequence of the New Deal for Black people and immigrants?

A

Many were laid off due to the New Deal’s attempts to give workers rights

The New Deal’s policies sometimes adversely affected marginalized groups.

129
Q

What major opposition did the New Deal face from businessmen?

A

They hated the New Deal for interfering with their businesses and supporting workers’ rights

Business opposition was significant due to perceptions of government overreach.

130
Q

What did Republicans criticize about the New Deal?

A

They called the expenditure wasteful and believed poor people were responsible for their own problems

Republican opposition intensified after they regained control of the Senate.

131
Q

Who were two notable activists that criticized the New Deal for not going far enough?

A
  • Huey Long
  • Francis Townsend

Both activists proposed more radical reforms to address economic inequality.

132
Q

What was the ‘Share the Wealth’ campaign?

A

A campaign started by Huey Long to confiscate fortunes over $3 million

This campaign aimed to redistribute wealth more equitably.

133
Q

Fill in the blank: State governments opposed the New Deal, claiming the Federal government was taking their _______.

A

powers

This opposition reflected tensions between state and federal authority during the New Deal era.

134
Q

What did the Supreme Court rule regarding the NRA codes of employers’ conduct?

A

The Supreme Court ruled that the NRA codes of employers’ conduct were illegal because they took away the States’ powers.

NRA stands for the National Recovery Administration, which was part of the New Deal.

135
Q

What was Roosevelt’s threat in 1937 regarding the Supreme Court?

A

Roosevelt threatened to force old Supreme Court judges to retire and to create new ones.

This was part of his plan to reshape the Court to support his New Deal policies.

136
Q

What was the outcome of Roosevelt’s threat to the Supreme Court?

A

The crisis was averted when the Supreme Court reversed its decisions.

This reversal allowed some New Deal measures to continue.

History (4 decks)

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