How Did The Political Environment Change, 1917-33 Flashcards
(123 cards)
1
Q
Ruling president and party 1913-21?
A
Woodrow Wilson; Democrats
2
Q
Ruling president and party 1921-23?
A
Warren G Harding; Republican
3
Q
Ruling president and party, 1923-29
A
Calvin Coolidge; Republican
4
Q
Ruling president and party, 1929-33
A
Herbert Hoover; Republican
5
Q
Impact of WW1
Who took USA into WW1 and why?
A
Woodrow Wilson - despite campainging against it, after German attacks on US shipping and Mexicos potential to join the central powers.
6
Q
Impact pf WW1
Public attitude after war?
A
Despite the slight boost to economy, many felt involvement was a mistake
7
Q
Impact of WW1
What did Americans dislike about Wilson post war?
A
Him trying to involve USA closer in international affairs
8
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What did Harding promise as he came to presidency in 1921?
A
A return to ‘normalcy’
9
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What were the different interpretations of normalcy?
A
While black soldiers hoped for equality, WASPS wanted pre war life
10
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
Why did many want pre war life?
A
Between end of war and 1921 there was a short, sharp economic depression caused by end of war
11
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
Unemployment figures during short post war depression?
A
1919-21, rose by over 4 million
12
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What social issues arose from the short depression?
A
Violence, strikes and riots
13
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What did a return to normalcy mean for Harding?
A
Removing these social/economic issues, and a stable/steady way of life. Didnt want to turn clocks back but shift focus on USA
14
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What economic policies did Harding introduce in return to normalcy?
A
Balance governments books, reduce tax (high for war), introduce tarriffs to protect US industry
15
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What other communications policy did Harding introduce?
A
Countrywide radio to boost US industry and communication
16
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What was Hardings policy stance on racism?
A
Wanted a committee set up to solve ‘the race question’
17
Q
Impact of WW1: The return to ‘normalcy’
What was Hardings policy stance on poverty?
A
Should look after least well off, possibly through a Department of public welfare
18
Q
Key terms
What are tariffs?
A
Taxes put on goods going into, or out of, a country to encourage or discourage trading abroad
19
Q
Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What were Hardings views on foreign affairs?
A
USA should be supportive of other nations, but not become ‘entangled’ with them. Focus on USA
20
Q
Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What did Harding encourage to boost USA
A
‘Buy American’ became significant
21
Q
Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What was Hardings protectionist methods called?
A
Isolationism
22
Q
Impact of WW1: Isolationism
Who supported the idea of isolationism?
A
Many people, republicans AND democrats
23
Q
Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What did isolationism mean?
A
Introducing tariffs that favoured US business, not joining League of Nations, not setting up colonies
24
Q
Key terms
What is the League of Nations?
A
Organisation formed at end of WW1, set up for international cooperation and to help its member states settle differences peacefully. Members had to agree to not go to war over issues, but resolve them with the league
25
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What else was a problem for isolationism?
Immigration into the USA
26
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What was implemented to restrict immigration in 1921?
The emergency quota act restricted immigration to 357000 per year
27
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What was the emergency quota act revised to in 1924?
150,000 per year, with quotas within this detailing certain country restrictions
28
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What did Congress pass from 1935-39
Passed a series of neutrality acts that restricted help USA could give to other countries in war
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# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
Why wasnt the USA entirely isolationist
Helped Europe rebuild economically and brokered the 1921-22 Washington conference on limiting countries navies
30
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What stunted the USA becoming more internationalist in late 20s/early 30s
The Great Depression of 1929, forcing many to focus on problems in their own countries
31
# Key terms
What is the Great Depression?
The economic collapse that hit the USA in 1929
32
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What was one of the most significant tariff acts?
The Fordney-McCumber Act, it did encourage people to 'buy american'
33
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
As parts of the economy prospered, what else did?
Consumerism
34
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What contributed to a boost in consumerism?
New technology produced cheap goods; hire purchase let people buy goods over a period od time
35
# Impact of WW1: Isolationism
What did this economic prosperity and consumerism lead to and what did it suggest?
A 'boom' period that suggested Republican policies were working
36
# Key terms: Isolationism
What is hire purchase?
Buying goods on credit: taking them at once but paying for them in regular instalments over time
37
# How did the presidency change?
How many Democrat presidents had there been before Wilson?
He was only the second since the civil war
38
# Key terms
What is the American Civil War
Fought between the Northern States (Yankees) and the Southern States (Rebs), over issues of slavery and whether to become one nation or continue as separate state. The southern states wanted to stay separate and continue slavery
39
# How did the presidency change?
How did people feel about Wilsons involvement in government?
Felt he played far too big a role in government decision making
40
# How did the presidency change?
What led people to feel Wilson was too involved in gov?
Took US into war despite campainging to stay out, didnt consult congress about promoting league of nations.
41
# How did the presidency change?
What did Wilson believe about law-making? And what did he do
That presidents should be involved in it, he drafted bills himself and introduced them to Congress
42
# How did the presidency change?
What was the leader of Democrats in the house seen as?
Speaking for the president and expected the house to fall in line with his wishes
43
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What were many politicians reactions to Wilsons behaviour?
Thought it was an unwelcome change in presidential behaviour and that it threatened the separation of powers
44
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What did the reaction to Wilsons behaviour lead to?
People turned to Republican ideals - even some southern democrats
45
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What was Hardings slogan?
'less government in business and more business in governent'
46
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What Republican notion did Hardings attitude encapsulate?
Laissez-faire
47
# Key terms
What does Laissez Faire mean?
"Leave well alone"
48
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What did laissez faire mean for America?
Not job of gov to control economy or social problems. Keen to keep own spending under control rather than spending to help those failing
49
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What did Laissez faire fix the Republican party as?
A party of big business - not willing to control eages, working hours etc
50
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What was Hardings interference like?
Even his campaign was vague. Didnt interfere - didnt draft laws, didnt drag US into foreign politics
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# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
Why was the Harding administration seen as corrupt?
He gave jobs to corrupt friends who exploited their positions to make money
52
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
How did the Democrats fail after Harding?
Might have been elected, vut couldnt agree on a candidate
53
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
Who was the new Republican candidate after Harding
Calvin Coolidge
54
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
Why did Republicans like Coolidge?
Combined laissez-faire with dignity and morality - Republicans hoped hed restore faith in the party
55
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What was Coolidges' attitude to Congress?
Let it go in its own way, didnt try to interfere with voting
56
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What happened to the USA during Coolidges' presidency?
Entered a period of recovery/prosperity - people felt Republicanism was working
57
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
What was the issue with the prosperity of the 1920s?
Had serious flaws. Economically and socially. Only became clear by the next Republican pres Herbert Hoover
58
# How did the presidency change?: Appeal of Republicanism
Despite growing issues, what did Hoover claim on his campaign?
Announced that Republicans had eliminated poverty, encouraged equality and restored the economy - and that Democrats would ruin it all
59
# What influenced the political landscape?: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What happend in Russia from 1905-1917?
Went through a series of revolutions, monarchy was toppled and replaced by the communist USSR gov in 1917
60
# What influenced the political landscape?: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What impact did the Russian revolutions have worldwide?
Sent shockwaves, communism encouraged worldiwde revolutions by workers against capitalist masters
61
# What influenced the political landscape?: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What was the reaction in the USA to the rise of communism?
Had many in capitalist USA disturbed, especially when workers went on strike in large numbers
62
# What influenced the political landscape?: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
Why did many workers strike post war?
They didnt during the war over conditons, wages etc. But when conditions didnt improve post war they did
63
# What influenced the political landscape?: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What organisations were founded in USA due to worker anger?
The Communist Party of America (CPUSA) and the Communist Labour Party of America (CLP)
64
# What influenced the political landscape?: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What pamphlets were distributed around cities?
Ones urging a revolution in cities by anarchists
65
# Key terms
What is an anarchist?
A person who believes in overthrowing established governments and letting people run their own lives without formal gov
66
# What influenced the political landscape: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
How many strikes were there in 1919?
3600, with 1/4 workers (about 4mil people) on strike
67
# What influenced the political landscape: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What happened on 21st Jan 1919 in Seattle?
35,000 shipyard workers went on strike
68
# What influenced the political landscape: 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What happened to the shipyard Seattle strike on 6th Feb?
it escalated to a general strike of 60,000 people
69
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
Impact of the Seattle strikes?
Police/strikers didnt clash, but rumours of a communist revolution spread - became national news and people began to accuse eachother of communism, 'Red Hunting' broke out
70
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What anti-communist organisation was organised in May 1919?
American Legion for war veterans, some members carried out 'Red Hunting' amassed 1mil members
71
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What happened throughout 1919 leading up to the red scare?
Workers rallies/riots across the country. Bombs explode in various cities e.g. NY and Boston - mainly targeting gov officials, said to ble planted by 'red groups', more workers going on strike e.g. Pittsburgh steel, boston police. Clashes between strikers and local militia
72
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What did Calvin Coolidge governor of Massachusetts do in response to boston police strikes?
As media spread tales of huge riots and troops shooting at them he sacked all the police
73
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
How did anti-communist feeling escalate after red hunting broke out?
Businesses sacked suspected employees, people suspected neighbours, people worried about being suspected
74
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What were people afraid to do due to red hunting?
Express their opinions, especiallly if it was left wing
75
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What happened in some parts of the country due to anti-communsim?
Considerable violence, especially the KKK targeted all 'un-American' groups
76
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
How many people were arrested and how many of which were deported?
Thousands of people, only 556 deported after consideration
77
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
What did Attoreny General Palmer predict on 1 may 1920?
A 'red revolution', which failed to occur
78
# What influenced the political landscape:? 1st Red Scare 1919-20
How did gov and media start to react to communism as time went on?
In a more balanced way, but the anti-communist feeling never left
79
# What influenced the political landscape?: Rugged individualism
What spin did Herbert Hoover give to Laissez-Faire?
Dwelt less on inaction and more on taking responsibility for themselves. Shift in emphasis rather than direction
80
# What influenced the political landscape?: Rugged individualism
What theory did Hoover develop over the years?
'Rugged individualism', where people could make their own way and prosper, realising the dream
81
# What influenced the political landscape?: Rugged individualism
What did rugged individualists believe about gov support?
It weakened poor people by sapping self-reliance. Gov shouldnt interfere with jobs/homes, Shouldnt regulate working, shouldnt fix interest on loans, businesses had to be free run
82
# What influenced the political landscape?: Rugged individualism
What were rugged individualists stance on foreign affairs?
USA should isolate itself from other countries
83
# What influenced the political landscape?: Rugged individualism
What were rugged individualists stance on immigration and why?
Should be restricted, unlimited immigration wasnt good anymore with post warunemployment
84
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Great Depression
What caused the Wallstreet crash?
Underlying problems with the 'boom' combined with out-of-control share trading
85
# Key terms
What was the wallstreet crash?
When the US stock market collapsed, sending the USA, then many other countries into the Great Depression
86
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Great Depression
What did the Great Depression entail?
Unemployment soared, people lost homes, banks/Businesses failed etc
87
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Great Depression
Why did many Americans think the GD would improve far sooner than it did?
The short post WW1 depression recovered, so Republicans favoured leaving the economy to fix itself - Hoover began following this policy
88
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What did Hoover do in 1929 following the crash?
Persuaded Congress to set up the Federal Farm Board to help farmers who found it hard to sell abroad due to isolationism - special case
89
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What did Hoover come to realise about Laissez-faire?
That it wasnt working
90
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What did Hoover think the solution was over laissez-faire?
Private charities, set up by businesses and the wealthy to offer help. The most the gov could do was encourage these
91
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What relief committe did Hoover setup in 1930?
Presidents Emergency Committe for Employment to help find work projects for unemployed and persuade businesses to employ - it was overwhelmed
92
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What did Hoover encourage businessmen to do?
Invest in the economy by setting up similar relief organisations
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# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
After trying to encourage private help, what did Hoover realise?
Federal intervention was needed
94
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What did Hoover do between 1930 and the 1932 election?
Moved from encouraging private help to giving federal help to states, advising them on projects and giving some of the money
95
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What did Hoover do when his federal help advice/funds fell very short?
Reluctantly asked Congress to pass laws to give direct federal help
96
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What was the reaction to Hoover asking Congress to pass relief laws?
Significant, in Congress and country an unwelcome change in direction
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# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What more did Hoover do after asking for laws to be passed?
Tried to put through more federal measures, many of which Congress rejected
98
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What happened with laws that actuallt did get passed?
Took gov into debt, rather than keeping it down like he was expected to
99
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What was the government debt in the last year of Hoovers presidency?
Gov recieved $2 billion and spent over $5 billion, but it was too little too late
100
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
Despite Hoovers attempts to change welfare provision, what did many think?
That he was to blame for the economic crisis
101
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Decline of Republicanism
What was named after Hoover in anger?
Shanty towns of homeless people that sprang up were called 'Hoovervilles'
102
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What did US government give in 1924?
A bonus payment to those who fought in WW1. Only gave $50 at once, the rest put away until 1945
103
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What happened with the funds when the depression hit?
Many veterans asked for the money, gov refused. Many of whom where unemployed/homeless
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# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What did the refused veterans do in June 1932?
Marched to Washington to make demands in person
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# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
How many veterans marched to washington?
Over 150000, camping around the city, even by the White House
106
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What were there fears of with the veterans?
Riots, police tried to break up camps with little sucess and some violence on either side
107
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What happened with the bonus army on 28th July 1932?
Troops were sent in with tear gas, bayonets, cavalry, tanks etc, camps were dispersed
108
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What did a report published about the bonus army suggest?
That they were communists/criminals to seem less blameworthy
109
# What influenced the political landscape?: The Bonus Army
What happened to Hoover with the bonus army?
Despite his efforts to restrain military, he lost a lot of support
110
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What was Congress in last years of Hoovers presidency a sign of?
Sign of things to come - since 1921 Reps had majority in House and Senate. But with failure to cure GD, people started to turn to Dems
111
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
How were Democrats compared with Hoover doing in 1931?
Had majority in the house, and gaining in the Senate. Whilst Hoover increasingly unpopular
112
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What did Hoover claim about the Republican party that was clearly wrong to everyone?
He claimed that the Republicans were the poor mans party, with a 'chicken in every pot'
113
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What were Republican views on Hoover?
Becoming unpopular due to his Depression steps and breaking away from rugged individualism. Still won the nomination for 1932 as he was the best out a bad bunch
114
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
Who was the Democrat candidate in 1932?
Franklin D Roosevelt
115
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What did FDR offer the American people?
A 'new deal' and new attitude to government.
116
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What was FDRs campaign like?
Snappy, his song was 'happy days are here again', excellent communicator, had been effective NY governor
117
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What did FDR point out about Hoovers campaign?
As being led by the new Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse: Destruction, Despair, Delay and Doubt
118
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What was wrong with Hoovers campaign?
His speeches had none of the vitality of FDRs and him justifying his depression measures didnt gain him much support
119
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What was the 1932 election result?
FDR won in a landslide victory, with Hoover taking only 6 states.
120
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What was the vote turnout for the 1932 election?
40 million voters, largest number ever recorded
121
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What happened to Republicans with FDR as pres?
Unravelled even more, too busy contesting FDRs legislation to plan policies and win back support
122
# What influenced the political landscape?: A changing mood
What was the 1936 election results?
FDR won an even greater landlside victory, with Republicans winning only 2 states
123
