THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND THE NEW DEAL Key Figures

LEARNING OBJECTIVES: SS.912.A.5.11 Examine causes, course, and consequences of the Great Depression and the New Deal.

The Great Depression Herbert Hoover: 31st President of the United States U.S. Secretary of Commerce Spearheaded the construction of the St. Lawrence Seaway and the Hoover Dam Policies could not overcome the economic destruction and despair that resulted from the Great Depression

The Great Depression Walter W. Waters: World War I veteran Led a group of his fellow veterans to Washington, DC to demand immediate payment of bonuses This group was dubbed the Bonus Expeditionary Forces or the Bonus Army

The Great Depression Douglas MacArthur: Led the army, complete with infantry, cavalry, and tanks, into Anacostia Flats Forced the Bonus Army to flee Ordered the shanty settlements burned along with the protesters’ belongings

The Great Depression Migrant Workers: Thousands of farmers from the Dust Bowl had to give up their farms Many moved to California and became migrant workers They moved from place to place to harvest fruits and vegetables

The Great Depression Dorothea Lange: Dorothea Lange was a photographer Her portraits of displaced farmers during the Great Depression greatly influenced later documentary photography

The Great Depression John Maynard Keynes: English economist, journalist and financier Best known for his Keynesian economics; theories on the causes of prolonged unemployment Believed that deficit spending during recessions and depressions could revive national economies

The New Deal Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR): 32nd President of the United States His New Deal programs and policies focused on immediate relief, long- term recovery, and reform in order to revive the economy His optimism and charm did much to convince Americans that they had “nothing to fear but fear itself” Gave “fireside chats” to the nation via radio

The New Deal The Brain Trust: Refers to the group of academic advisers that Roosevelt gathered to assist him during the 1932 presidential campaign Initially, the term applied to three Columbia University professors: Raymond Moley, Rexford Guy Tugwell, and Adolph A. Berle, Jr.

The New Deal Harold L. Ickes: U.S. social activist who became a prominent member of the New Deal Democratic administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt Head of the Public Works Administration (PWA) Established “yardsticks” for electric power rates 

The New Deal Harry Hopkins: One of the closest advisers to Franklin D. Roosevelt Helped architect the New Deal Created the Works Progress Administration (WPA)

The New Deal Ralph Bunche: Nobel Peace Prize–winning academic and U.N. diplomat Part of Roosevelt’s Federal Council of Negro Affairs, “Black Cabinet” Known for his peacekeeping efforts in the Middle East, Africa and the Mediterranean

The New Deal Mary McLeod Bethune: Educator and activist Served as President of the National Association of Colored Women Founded the National Council of Negro Women Special advisor to President Roosevelt on minority affairs Appointed director of the Division of Negro Affairs of the National Youth Administration

The New Deal Eleanor Roosevelt: Broke new ground for a First Lady Held her own press conferences, traveling independently to all parts of the country, writing a syndicated newspaper column, and broadcasting radio addresses Spoke out for civil rights and women’s rights

The New Deal Father Charles Coughlin: A Roman Catholic priest Became a national celebrity during the 1930s by hosting a popular radio broadcast Became disenchanted with Roosevelt's leadership Wanted heavy taxes on the rich Later became a sympathizer of fascism

The New Deal Francis Townsend: American physician, author, and political organizer Crusaded for pensions for the elderly

The New Deal Huey P. Long: Governor of Louisiana Had a populist agenda that provided reforms for the poor during the Depression Believed rich should be taxed to provide homes for the poor; “Share the Wealth” Shot and killed after he announced he would run for president