Vocab Quiz 1/22

Question 1

Glass-Steagall Act

Answer 1

A. Definition: A 1933 law that separated commercial and investment banking to reduce financial risks.
B. Significance: It restored trust in the U.S. banking system after the Great Depression by preventing risky investments by banks handling public deposits. This act marked a turning point in government regulation of the economy.
C. Example: The creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) under this act protected individual bank deposits.

Question 2

National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)

Answer 2

A. Definition: A government agency established in 1935 to enforce labor laws and mediate disputes between unions and employers.
B. Significance: It empowered workers to form unions and bargain collectively, marking a major shift in labor rights during the New Deal era. This contributed to improved working conditions and wages for millions of Americans.
C. Example: The NLRB helped resolve the 1937 General Motors sit-down strike, securing union recognition for workers.

Question 3

Court Packing

Answer 3

A. Definition: President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s 1937 proposal to expand the Supreme Court by adding up to six additional justices.
B. Significance: It was an attempt to overcome judicial opposition to New Deal legislation but faced widespread criticism for threatening the balance of power. This highlighted tensions between branches of government.
C. Example: The plan was abandoned after public backlash, but the Court subsequently upheld several New Deal laws.

Question 4

Greenbelt Communities

Answer 4

A. Definition: Planned residential areas built by the federal government in the 1930s to provide affordable housing and preserve green space.
B. Significance: These communities embodied New Deal ideals of social reform and urban planning, offering models for sustainable living.
C. Example: Greenbelt, Maryland, was one of the first greenbelt towns, designed to foster community and economic stability.

Question 5

Teamsters

Answer 5

A. Definition: A labor union originally formed in 1903 representing workers in industries such as trucking, warehousing, and construction.
B. Significance: The Teamsters played a major role in securing better wages, working conditions, and rights for workers, becoming one of the largest and most influential unions in the U.S.
C. Example: The Teamsters led significant strikes in the 1930s, including the 1934 Minneapolis General Strike, which improved labor rights nationwide.

Question 6

‘Share Our Wealth’

Answer 6

A. Definition: A political movement led by Huey Long during the 1930s advocating for wealth redistribution to reduce poverty and economic inequality.
B. Significance: It highlighted growing frustrations with the unequal distribution of wealth during the Great Depression and influenced New Deal policies. The movement gained millions of followers before Long’s assassination.
C. Example: Long proposed capping personal fortunes at $50 million and using the surplus to fund education, healthcare, and basic income for all Americans.

Question 7

Populists

Answer 7

A. Definition: A political movement in the late 19th century that sought to represent the interests of farmers and workers against big business and elite power.
B. Significance: The Populists influenced later progressive reforms by advocating for policies like direct election of senators, government control of railroads, and progressive taxation.
C. Example: The 1892 Omaha Platform outlined the Populist Party’s goals, including free silver and labor rights.

Question 8

National Union for Social Justice

Answer 8

A. Definition: A political movement founded in 1934 by Father Charles Coughlin to promote social and economic reforms, including nationalizing banks and opposing communism.
B. Significance: It reflected widespread discontent with traditional economic policies during the Depression and gained traction through Coughlin’s influential radio broadcasts.
C. Example: Coughlin’s speeches criticized the Federal Reserve and supported labor rights, attracting millions of listeners.

Question 9

William Lyon Mackenzie King

Answer 9

A. Definition: Canada’s longest-serving Prime Minister, who led the country during key periods, including the Great Depression and World War II.
B. Significance: He implemented policies to stabilize the economy during the Depression and helped strengthen Canada’s independence from Britain. His leadership shaped modern Canadian federalism.

Question 10

R.B. Bennett

Answer 10

A. Definition: The Canadian Prime Minister from 1930 to 1935 who led the country during the early years of the Great Depression.
B. Significance: Bennett introduced relief measures such as the “Bennett New Deal,” though many criticized his efforts as inadequate. His tenure reflected the challenges of governing during economic crisis.
C. Example: Bennett’s government created work camps for unemployed men, though these became symbols of public discontent.

Question 11

Canadian Wheat Board

Answer 11

A. Definition: A government agency established in 1935 to regulate the marketing and pricing of wheat in Canada.
B. Significance: It stabilized wheat prices and ensured fair income for farmers, addressing economic hardships during the Great Depression. It played a vital role in supporting Canada’s agricultural economy.
C. Example: The Wheat Board guaranteed minimum prices for wheat, providing financial security to prairie farmers.

Question 12

Farmer’s Creditors Arrangement Act

Answer 12

A. Definition: A 1934 Canadian law that allowed farmers to restructure debt and avoid bankruptcy during the Depression.
B. Significance: It provided relief to struggling farmers and reflected government intervention in the economy to protect rural livelihoods.
C. Example: Farmers in Western Canada used this act to negotiate lower payments with creditors, preventing mass foreclosures.

Question 13

Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Act

Answer 13

A. Definition: A 1935 Canadian law aimed at restoring agriculture in drought-affected areas of the prairies.
B. Significance: It was crucial in addressing the environmental and economic devastation of the Dust Bowl, helping farmers recover and adopt sustainable practices.
C. Example: The act funded irrigation projects and soil conservation initiatives across Saskatchewan and Alberta.

Question 14

Bank of Canada

Answer 14

A. Definition: Canada’s central bank, established in 1935 to regulate monetary policy and stabilize the economy.
B. Significance: It marked a significant step in modernizing Canada’s financial system, allowing the government to manage currency, control inflation, and respond to economic crises more effectively.
C. Example: During World War II, the Bank of Canada financed the war effort through bond sales and monetary expansion.

Question 15

Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission

Answer 15

A. Definition: Established in 1932, it was Canada’s first national public broadcaster, created to promote Canadian culture and reduce American media influence.
B. Significance: It played a key role in unifying the country and preserving Canadian identity during a time of economic and social upheaval.
C. Example: The commission aired Canadian news, music, and educational programs across the country, laying the groundwork for the CBC.

Question 16

Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF)

Answer 16

A. Definition: A socialist political party founded in 1932 that advocated for economic reforms to address the Great Depression’s challenges.
B. Significance: It influenced Canada’s welfare state by promoting policies such as universal healthcare, public ownership, and workers’ rights. The CCF evolved into the modern NDP.
C. Example: The CCF’s “Regina Manifesto” called for the elimination of capitalism and the establishment of a cooperative economy.

Question 17

Social Credit (Canada)

Answer 17

A. Definition: A political movement and party founded in the 1930s that promoted distributing monthly dividends to citizens to boost purchasing power and address economic hardships.
B. Significance: Social Credit reflected widespread dissatisfaction with traditional economic policies during the Great Depression and introduced alternative economic ideas in Canada.
C. Example: The Social Credit Party gained power in Alberta under William Aberhart, implementing its policies at the provincial level.

Question 18

Union Nationale

Answer 18

A. Definition: A conservative nationalist political party in Quebec founded in 1935, promoting economic reform and traditional Catholic values.
B. Significance: The party shaped Quebec politics for decades, emphasizing provincial autonomy and appealing to rural and working-class voters during the Great Depression.
C. Example: Maurice Duplessis, leader of the Union Nationale, served as Premier of Quebec and implemented policies supporting the party’s nationalist agenda.

Question 19

‘Padlock Law’

Answer 19

A. Definition: A 1937 Quebec law that allowed authorities to close establishments and seize materials suspected of promoting communism.
B. Significance: It was a controversial tool used by the Union Nationale government to suppress political dissent and communist activities, raising concerns about civil liberties.
C. Example: The law was criticized by labor unions and intellectuals as an attack on free speech and democratic rights.

Question 20

Workers’ Unity League

Answer 20

A. Definition: A Canadian labor organization active in the 1930s, aligned with communist principles and focused on organizing industrial workers.
B. Significance: It mobilized workers during the Great Depression, often leading militant strikes to demand better wages and conditions. The league played a key role in advancing labor rights in Canada.
C. Example: The Workers’ Unity League organized the 1935 On-to-Ottawa Trek, a protest against poor conditions in government relief camps.

Question 21

‘Hockey Night in Canada’

Answer 21

A. Definition: A long-running Canadian radio and television program featuring live broadcasts of hockey games, starting in 1931.
B. Significance: It became a cultural institution, uniting Canadians around the sport and fostering national pride, especially during the Great Depression when entertainment options were limited.
C. Example: Foster Hewitt’s iconic play-by-play commentary on the program made him a beloved figure in Canadian broadcasting.