History The Great Depression Study Cards

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Great Depression

A severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s, lasting for a decade and causing widespread unemployment, poverty, and social upheaval.

Causes of the Great Depression

Factors contributing to the Great Depression include the stock market crash, overproduction, unequal distribution of wealth, and excessive borrowing.

Stock Market Crash of 1929

A sudden and dramatic decline in stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange in October 1929, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.

Bank Failures and Economic Collapse

Widespread bank failures and the collapse of the banking system led to a loss of savings, credit contraction, and a deepening economic crisis.

Unemployment and Poverty

Massive job losses and widespread poverty characterized the Great Depression, with unemployment rates reaching as high as 25% in some countries.

Dust Bowl and Agricultural Crisis

A period of severe dust storms and ecological damage in the American prairies, exacerbating the economic hardships of farmers and rural communities.

New Deal and Government Intervention

President Franklin D. Roosevelt's series of economic and social programs aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression.

Social Impact and Human Suffering

The Great Depression had profound social consequences, including increased homelessness, hunger, and a rise in mental health issues.

Worldwide Economic Depression

The Great Depression had a global impact, with economies around the world experiencing a sharp decline in trade, production, and living standards.

End of the Great Depression

The Great Depression gradually ended with the onset of World War II, as increased government spending and industrial production stimulated the economy.

Legacy and Lessons Learned

The Great Depression led to significant changes in economic policies, social safety nets, and regulations to prevent a similar crisis in the future.

Bank Runs

Panicked depositors withdrawing their money from banks, leading to bank failures and further economic instability.

Hoovervilles

Makeshift shantytowns that emerged during the Great Depression, named after President Herbert Hoover, symbolizing the failure of government to address the crisis.

Roosevelt's Fireside Chats

Radio broadcasts by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, providing reassurance and explaining government policies to the American public during the Great Depression.

Black Tuesday

October 29, 1929, the day of the stock market crash, when billions of dollars were lost and investor confidence plummeted.

Soup Kitchens

Charitable organizations and government-run facilities that provided free meals to the unemployed and those in need during the Great Depression.

Bonus Army

A group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C. in 1932 to demand early payment of a bonus promised by the government.

Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

A protectionist trade policy enacted in 1930, raising tariffs on thousands of imported goods and worsening the global economic downturn.

Okies

Migrants from the Dust Bowl region who moved to California in search of work and better living conditions during the Great Depression.

Bank Holiday

A temporary closure of banks during the Great Depression to prevent further bank runs and stabilize the financial system.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

A government agency established in 1933 to insure bank deposits and restore confidence in the banking system.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A New Deal program that provided employment to young men in conservation projects, such as reforestation and park development.

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

A New Deal agency that employed millions of people in public works projects, including the construction of roads, bridges, and public buildings.

Dorothea Lange

An American documentary photographer known for her powerful images depicting the hardships of the Great Depression, including the iconic photograph 'Migrant Mother.'

Herbert Hoover

The 31st President of the United States, who served during the early years of the Great Depression and faced criticism for his handling of the crisis.

Franklin D. Roosevelt

The 32nd President of the United States, who implemented the New Deal and led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.

Stock Market Speculation

Risky buying and selling of stocks based on anticipated price movements, contributing to the stock market crash and the collapse of the economy.

Farm Security Administration (FSA)

A New Deal agency that provided loans and support to farmers, aiming to improve agricultural conditions and alleviate rural poverty.

Hawley-Smoot Tariff

The highest tariff in U.S. history, enacted in 1930, which raised import duties and led to retaliatory tariffs from other countries, worsening the global economic crisis.

Banking Act of 1933 (Glass-Steagall Act)

A law that established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and separated commercial banking from investment banking to prevent future financial crises.

Social Security Act

A New Deal program that provided financial assistance to the elderly, unemployed, and disabled, establishing a system of social welfare in the United States.

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

A New Deal agency that provided direct relief to the unemployed and funded public works projects to stimulate the economy during the Great Depression.

Dust Bowl Migration

The mass migration of farmers and their families from the Great Plains to other regions of the United States in search of work and better living conditions.

Banking Crisis

A period of widespread bank failures and financial panic during the Great Depression, leading to the loss of savings and a contraction of credit.

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

A New Deal agency that provided mortgage insurance and promoted homeownership, stimulating the housing market during the Great Depression.

Civil Works Administration (CWA)

A short-lived New Deal program that provided temporary employment to millions of people in public works projects, such as road construction and park maintenance.

Hoover Dam

A massive public works project built during the Great Depression, providing jobs and generating hydroelectric power in the southwestern United States.

Banking Reform

Reforms implemented during the Great Depression to regulate banks, restore public confidence, and prevent future financial crises.

Federal Securities Act

A law passed in 1933 to regulate the securities industry and protect investors from fraudulent practices, aiming to restore confidence in the stock market.

Public Works Administration (PWA)

A New Deal agency that funded large-scale public works projects, such as the construction of schools, hospitals, and infrastructure, to stimulate the economy.

Farmers' Holiday Association

An organization of farmers that called for a nationwide strike and withholding of agricultural products to protest low prices and demand government support during the Great Depression.

Banking Act of 1935 (Banking Act of 1933 Amendment)

An amendment to the Banking Act of 1933 that further regulated the banking industry and strengthened the Federal Reserve System.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

A New Deal agency that developed the Tennessee River Valley region through the construction of dams, flood control, and the promotion of agricultural and industrial development.

Federal Art Project (FAP)

A New Deal program that employed artists to create public art and promote cultural expression during the Great Depression.

National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)

A New Deal law that aimed to stimulate economic recovery by establishing industry codes, regulating wages and working conditions, and promoting fair competition.

Rural Electrification Administration (REA)

A New Deal agency that provided loans and support for the electrification of rural areas, improving living conditions and promoting economic development.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

A government agency established in 1934 to regulate the securities industry, protect investors, and maintain fair and efficient markets.

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

A New Deal agency that implemented industry codes and fair labor practices to stimulate economic recovery and promote cooperation between businesses and workers.

Court-Packing Plan

A failed attempt by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to expand the number of Supreme Court justices in order to secure favorable rulings on New Deal legislation.

Farm Credit Administration (FCA)

A New Deal agency that provided loans and support to farmers, aiming to stabilize agricultural prices and prevent foreclosures during the Great Depression.

Emergency Banking Act

A law passed in 1933 to address the banking crisis by authorizing the government to regulate and reopen solvent banks, restoring public confidence in the financial system.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)

A New Deal law that established minimum wage, maximum work hours, and overtime pay, improving labor conditions and protecting workers' rights.

National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

A New Deal law that protected workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively, promoting fair labor practices and strengthening unions.

Farmers' Relief and Rehabilitation Administration (FRRA)

A New Deal agency that provided loans and support to farmers, aiming to stabilize agricultural prices and improve farming conditions during the Great Depression.

Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC)

A New Deal agency that refinanced home mortgages to prevent foreclosures and stabilize the housing market during the Great Depression.

National Youth Administration (NYA)

A New Deal agency that provided education, employment, and training opportunities to young people, aiming to alleviate youth unemployment during the Great Depression.

Federal Theatre Project (FTP)

A New Deal program that employed actors, directors, and writers to produce theater performances and promote cultural expression during the Great Depression.

Civilian Works Administration (CWA)

A short-lived New Deal program that provided temporary employment to millions of people in public works projects, such as road construction and park maintenance.

Huey Long

A populist politician and senator from Louisiana who advocated for wealth redistribution and social reforms during the Great Depression.

Farmers' Home Administration (FHA)

A New Deal agency that provided loans and support to farmers, aiming to improve agricultural conditions and alleviate rural poverty.

National Housing Act

A New Deal law that established the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and promoted affordable housing and homeownership during the Great Depression.

Public Works of Art Project (PWAP)

A short-lived New Deal program that employed artists to create public art and promote cultural expression during the Great Depression.

Farmers' Cooperative Marketing Act

A New Deal law that supported the formation of agricultural cooperatives to improve marketing and bargaining power for farmers during the Great Depression.