Wall Street Crash and New Deal 1929-1938 Flashcards
Who was Oscar De Priest?
De Priest was an African American who was an elected congressman in 1928 since 1900
Did not support some aspects of the New Deal, which would prove important
Would champion African American causes- racial uplift
What were the NAACP’s aims?
Wanted political equality of the races
End of segregation
Focused on lobbying rather than mass action with central policy- targeted powerful individuals to support AA causes
Why did the NAACP loose supporters in 1930?
Ran by middle class African Americans and white people- did not represent the demographic they stood for
South violently opposed NAACP
NAACP had limited speaking opportunities in the South
How did the communist party help the African American community?
Championed equality
Had 7,000 black supporters
Scottsboro trial- 9 African Americans accussed of rape with little evidence- communist arranged the legal defence of the boys
Why did the communists undermine African American civil rights movement?
Communism was feared in America at the time, from growing support in Russia.
Black people were now being associated with communism which only built segregation
Civil rights leaders avoided communist support as they knew it would undermine their cause
How did the Great Depression impact African Americans?
AA were amongst the poorest in America
2 million black share croppers left the land as crop prices plummeted
White organised vigilante groups such as the Black Shirts of Atlanta to prevent black people from getting jobs
What was the purpose, issues of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)?
It used farm subsides to regulate farm production.
200,000 African Americans had to move into town were segregation was rife.
Increased prices meant that poor African Americans could not buy food
Focused on helping those who owned the land and not those who worked on the farms
What was the purpose and issues of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)?
It was regional planning of deprived areas- wanted to introduce hydro-electricity, education and health projects.
Caused segregation, and white towns
What was the purpose and issues of the Civilian Conservation Corps?
Provided work for young men in working in organised military lines and environmental projects.
Caused segregation between men who worked for the project
What was the purpose and issues of the Federal Housing Administration?
Guarantees for mortgages with reduced prices.
Refused black families mortgages in white areas from institutionalised racism
What was the purpose and issues of the Wagner Act?
Work relief programmes funding a vast range of projects directed at different areas
Known for being colourblind and 1 million black Americans working for it in 1939
What was the Social Security Act, and the problems with it?
Retirement payments for over 65s.
Set up a federal insurance for the unemployed.
Additional assistance for the disabled, for public health and for dependent women and children.
Excluded African Americans, especially AA women
What was the purpose and issues of the Fair Labour Standards Act?
Established a minimum wage of 40 cents an hour and a working week of 40 hours. Raised wages for 12 million people.
Made it illegal for employers to employ workers who did not have the skills to earn 40 cents an hour. 500,000 AA to loose jobs
Did not include waitors, janitors, cooks and domestic and farm workers, which were traditionally done by African Americans
What was the problem and issues of the National Housing Act?
Set up housing for low income families
Discriminated against black people and promoted suburban over inner-city housing
