OGT Chapter 5 Patterns in American Domestic Affairs

1. The ROARING TWENTIES lasted from This period had the appearance of CALM and PROSPERITY, however, the country was going through some ECONOMIC and SOCIAL changes.

2. Nativism which is a dislike for FOREIGNERS, was brought on by the “RED SCARE” which was created by people worrying about a COMMUNIST revolution like they had in RUSSIA. The KU KLUX KLAN appeared again with its prejudice toward foreigners, BLACKS and Jews. There were also IMMIGRATION acts that established QUOTAS restricting IMMIGRATION from Southern and Eastern Europe.

3. Identify and explain 4 factors that contributed to the underlying prosperity. Government policies favoring business – allowed big business to do pretty much what they wanted to do. The rise of the Automobile and Other Industries – The auto became a big demand so the other industries needed for cars like, steel, glass and rubber did very well. Radios and other consumer goods also became popular. More Efficient Production Techniques – Henry Ford developed the assembly line in 1914, using standardized parts and other labor saving devices were used making us more efficient and productive. The Age of Mass Consumption – As people earned more money they began buying more products, advertising helped encourage more buying and retailers began to offer installment purchases and buying on credit.

4. Identify two groups of Americans and explain the impact that changes in the Cultural Values of the 1920’s had on them. Women – finally were given the right to vote with the 19th Amendment in New appliances helped reduce house work, many more women went to college and became more assertive. African Americans – Beginning with the Great Migration around the First World War the Harlem Renaissance began to allow the spread of African American culture especially in Music.

5. A bad economic period is referred to as a DEPRESSION and involves business FAILURES and high UNEMPLOYMENT. The GREAT DEPRESSION was the worst economic period in U.S. History.

6. Identify 3 of the main causes of the Great Depression and give a brief explanation of each one. Overproduction – Although many people could afford new products (cars, radios, refrigerators) many Americans could not which resulted in producers making more products than they could sell. Speculation – Many people invested in the stock market with the hope of getting rich quick. They would buy on margin which was paying for only a portion of their total investment and using credit for the rest. With no government regulation people and banks were making bad decisions which would lead to problems later on. The Stock Market Crash – October 29, 1929, people tried to sell their stock and many lost their life savings, banks called for their money from those who bought on margin, businesses could not raise funds, banks could not fulfill their obligations and failed, demand decreased, prices fell, workers lost their jobs and factories closed.

7. Many BUSINESSES and BANKS failed during the depression and MILLIONS of people were out of work with no UNEMPLOYMENT insurance or BANK deposit insurance. People lost their HOMES and many went to SOUP kitchens in order to eat. A natural disaster called the DUST BOWL took place on the GREAT Plains during the 1930s and many FARMERS headed to California.

8. Compare President Hoover’s feelings on the role the government should play in this crisis with President Roosevelt. President Hoover was reluctant to use government programs to get the country out of the depression. He felt that eventually the economy would recover. President Roosevelt believed the government had to get involved and created many programs to get people back to work and revive the banking industry.

9. The NEW DEAL proposed by President Roosevelt emphasized the three R’s – RELIEF, RECOVERY and REFORM. 10. Give a brief description for each of the 3 r’s. Relief – Emergency Public jobs like the Civilian Conservation Corps, Workers Progress Administration etc. Recovery – Measures were created to put money back into the peoples hands which would encourage them to buy which would require more production. Reform – Legislation established to help prevent another depression.

Give 3 examples of “Reform” legislation Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation – (1933) insured bank deposits so people could not lose their life savings Securities and Exchange Commission – (1934) Keep and eye on the stock market and guard against another collapse. Social Security Act – (1935) provided workers with unemployment insurance, old age pensions and insurance if they died early.

11. Explain the Economic and Political patterns of the 1930s. The economic pattern was a depression with the economy in a downward spiral creating many failed businesses along with many people losing their jobs and life savings. The political pattern saw an increased role for the government as it tried to turn the economy around by creating jobs that put people to work in order to give them money as well as many reforms to help the banking industry.

12. During WWII many things were happening on the HOME FRONT in addition to battles being fought over seas. For example: 1 out of every 10 AMERICANS between the ages of 18 and 45 were SERVING and for the first time WOMEN could also enlist. Many factories across the nation went through INDUSTRIAL MOBILIZATION and produced tanks and other war time needs and the U.S. economy EXPANDED. And the LABOR FORCE was helped by many WOMEN and African Americans and other minorities to fill in the gap while others went to war helping with cultural DIVERSITY. Many people believe that WWII helped to bring about an end to the GREAT DEPRESSION. Sadly the country became SUSPICIOUS of outsiders and forced many JAPANESE AMERICANS into selling their homes and living in internment CAMPS.

13. Identify 3 things that helped to create prosperity during the 1950s. Growth of the Suburbs created by low cost loans to veterans. Economic prosperity with millions of Americans buying cars, t.v.’s, washing machines and other product. Conformity was common as people emphasized family values and feared the spread of communism.

14. JOSEPH MCCARTHY claimed he knew COMMUNISTS who had infiltrated the State Department. Similar to the “RED SCARE” he created fears of a COMMUNIST conspiracy. His investigations went on for several years and he was eventually DISCREDITED. 15. In 1957 the Soviet Union launched SPUTNIK which was the first man-made SATELLITE which created the fear that they would be able to fire NUCLEAR WEAPONS at the U.S. In 1958 the U.S. launched its first SATELLITE. President Kennedy announced a space race in 1961 and in 1962 JOHN GLENN became the first American to orbit the earth and in 1969 we became the first to land MEN on the moon and bring them safely home.