1920's to WWII Flashcards
(38 cards)
What is the Red Scare?
Fear of anything related to communism, including fear of it spreading throughout the U.S.
Why was Henry Ford a significant figure in American History?
He perfected the assembly line technique to allow for mass production (automobiles)
Explain the importance of the Automobile:
Allowed people to live further away from jobs; could easily move from place to place; cars became a symbol of freedom and status
Explain the importance of the Radio:
New form of entertainment allowed for growth in music (Tin Pan Alley) and later allowed for communication of news and events (FDR, fireside chats). Also became a source for consumer advertisements
Explain the importance of the movies:
Provided entertainment options for Americans; over 100 million people attended the movies each week by end of the 1920s.
Who were famous athletes of the 1920’s?
Baseball = Babe Ruth Boxing = Jack Dempsey
Who were the most famous Jazz Musicians of the 1920s?
Duke Ellington and Louis Armstrong
What was the Harlem Renaissance?
The flourishing of black culture that originated in Harlem, NY. Included jazz music and literature.
Who was the most famous writer to come out of the Harlem Renaissance?
Langston Hughes
What is the significance of Tin Pan Alley?
Early musical center; musicians coming together to produce music for the people
Who was Irving Berlin?
Famous American composer; songs include White Christmas and God Bless America
What were the primary causes of the stock market crash in 1929?
Buying on margin, speculation (belief that stock prices would be going up)
What was the Dust Bowl?
Severe drought and high winds in Midwest removed topsoil from farms; resulted in thousands of “Okies” relocating to California for jobs.
How was President Hoover viewed as President during the Great Depression?
Hoover was regarded as a failure by the American people.
What were Hoovervilles?
Hoovervilles was the nickname given to the collection of cardboard shacks that sprang up around the nation.
Who was responsible for the New Deal and what was its purpose?
Franklin D. Roosevelt; to fight the conditions of the Great Depression
Describe the significance of the following New Deal Program: Securities and Exchange Committee (SEC)
created to regulate the stock market & prevent another stock market crash
Describe the significance of the following New Deal Program: Wagner Act
Protected workers right to strike & collectively bargain; Outlawed unfair practices used by companies to discourage union membership
Describe the significance of the following New Deal Program: Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
created hydroelectric power plants in the South; created jobs constructing dams that provided power for 7 Southern states.
Describe the significance of the following New Deal Program: Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
To help restore public confidence in banks; government would insure money up to $100,000 (Today = $250,000)
Describe the significance of the following New Deal Program: Works Progress Administration (WPA)
the biggest New Deal program; Created 10 million jobs in a variety of professions & cost the gov’t $10 billion
Why was Eleanor Roosevelt important as the First Lady?
She traveled the country promoting FDR’s New Deal since he was dealing with conditions from polio.
Who was Huey Long and what was his significance during the Great Depression?
Senator from Louisiana; promoted the “Share The Wealth” program that proposed taxing the rich and giving to the poor.
What was the “Court Packing Bill” and why was it significant?
FDR’s attempt to add six more justices to the Supreme Court; this would have allowed New Deal legislation to pass and would have upset the system of checks and balances.
