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National Crisis
The Roaring 20s, Great Depression,New Deal, &
WWII
The Roaring 20sThe Roaring 20sWho, what, where, when,
why and how?
Who
Three Presidents: Harding was the one who died in the midst of
scandal. Coolidge was the one who never talked. Hoover got all the blame for the Great
Depression.Great authors:
F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote The Great Gatsby, about a soldier who came home from World War I and got rich quick by selling bootleg liquor.
The stars of the Harlem Renaissance were Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston.
What Isolationism: When World War I ended, the U.S.
decided to have nothing more to do with Europe. U.S. foreign policy became isolationist.
An era of mean-spiritedness: Small-town America did not like anyone who was not “100% American.” Folks did not like foreigners, immigrants, Catholics, Jews, or African Americans. The 1920s was the heyday of the Ku Klux Klan.
Get Rich Quick: The wealthy speculated on the stock exchange.
The New Woman: When women got the vote, they had more freedom. Women wore shorter skirts, smoked, and rode in cars.
When
From 1920 through 1929.
Where
In the United States.
Why
1. World War I was a horrible war. Soldiers were glad to be alive.
2. The Russian Revolution, led by Lenin and the Bolsheviks, scared many Americans.
3. America was experiencing a decade of prosperity.
How
How did the Roaring Twenties end?With a crash:
In 1929, Wall Street crashed, the Great Depression began, and Americans
suffered terribly.
National Crisis
Politics of Postwar America
Postwar TrendsPostwar Trends
WWI left much of the American WWI left much of the American public exhausted.public exhausted.
Many Americans responded to the Many Americans responded to the stressful conditions by becoming stressful conditions by becoming fearful of outsiders.fearful of outsiders.
A wave of nativism and a belief in A wave of nativism and a belief in isolationism was adopted. isolationism was adopted.
Fear of CommunismFear of Communism
One perceived threat to American life was One perceived threat to American life was the spread of communism.the spread of communism.
The The Red Scare panic in the U.S. began in panic in the U.S. began in 1919, after revolutionaries in Russia 1919, after revolutionaries in Russia overthrew the czarist regimeoverthrew the czarist regime
The Communist Party formed in the U.S.The Communist Party formed in the U.S. 70,000 radicals joined, and several dozen 70,000 radicals joined, and several dozen
bombs were mailed to government and bombs were mailed to government and business leaders.business leaders.
The Palmer RaidsThe Palmer Raids
U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell U.S. Attorney General A. Mitchell Palmer to action combat the “Palmer to action combat the “Red Scare.”.”
He hunted down suspected He hunted down suspected communists and trampled on communists and trampled on people’s civil rights.people’s civil rights.
Foreign born radicals were deported Foreign born radicals were deported and his raids failed to turn up and his raids failed to turn up evidence of revolutionary conspiracy.evidence of revolutionary conspiracy.
Sacco & VanzettiSacco & Vanzetti
Nativist attitude led attitude led to ruined reputations to ruined reputations and wrecked lives.and wrecked lives.
Sacco & Vanzetti, Sacco & Vanzetti, two Italian two Italian immigrants, were immigrants, were arrested in 1920.arrested in 1920.
They were charged They were charged with robbery and with robbery and murder.murder.
Witnesses said Witnesses said the criminals the criminals appeared to be appeared to be Italian.Italian.
The accused The accused asserted their asserted their alibi and the alibi and the evidence evidence against them against them was was circumstantial.circumstantial.
They were They were found guilty & found guilty & sentenced to sentenced to death.death.
Rise of KKK Different groups of bigots Different groups of bigots
used anti-communism as used anti-communism as an excuse to harass any an excuse to harass any group unlike themselves.group unlike themselves.
The KKK was devoted to The KKK was devoted to 100% Americanism and 100% Americanism and membership reached 4.5 membership reached 4.5 million.million.
The Klan would The Klan would eventually dominate eventually dominate state politics, but its state politics, but its criminal activity would criminal activity would lead to a decrease in lead to a decrease in power.power.
Labor UnrestLabor Unrest
Conflict between labor and management erupts Conflict between labor and management erupts after the war.after the war.
In 1919, workers go on more than 3,000 strikes, In 1919, workers go on more than 3,000 strikes, but fear of communism turns the public against but fear of communism turns the public against strikers.strikers.
Labor union membership declines in the 1920s Labor union membership declines in the 1920s largely because of the movement’s association largely because of the movement’s association with Communist ideals.with Communist ideals.
After the end of the First World War, most After the end of the First World War, most Americans wanted to return to normalcy. Americans wanted to return to normalcy.
However, fear of However, fear of Communism and Communism and labor unrest seemed labor unrest seemed to threaten this to threaten this desired stability. desired stability.
As a result, As a result, attitudes toward attitudes toward immigrants and immigrants and America’s role in America’s role in the world began to the world began to change.change.
National CrisisNational Crisis
The Roaring Twenties
National Crisis
The Harding Presidency
The Harding PresidencyThe Harding Presidency Harding vows to return the Harding vows to return the
U.S. to the simpler days U.S. to the simpler days before the Progressive Era before the Progressive Era reforms. reforms.
Most of the world’s nations Most of the world’s nations agree to disarm and sign agree to disarm and sign the Kellogg-Briand Pact, the Kellogg-Briand Pact, but there is no way to but there is no way to enforce the pact.enforce the pact.
The Harding The Harding administration raises taxes administration raises taxes on imports and demand on imports and demand that Britain and France pay that Britain and France pay their war debts.their war debts.
Harding promised the American people a return to Harding promised the American people a return to normalcy. normalcy.
Because the need for unskilled labor deceased after the Because the need for unskilled labor deceased after the First World War, many Americans want to limit First World War, many Americans want to limit immigration.immigration.
Congress sets up a quota system limiting immigration.Congress sets up a quota system limiting immigration. Harding appoints some of his friends to the cabinet, but Harding appoints some of his friends to the cabinet, but
they use their offices to become wealthy.they use their offices to become wealthy. As a result of Harding’s poor judgment, his administration As a result of Harding’s poor judgment, his administration
is plagued by scandals.is plagued by scandals. Harding avoids disgrace but dies in office following a Harding avoids disgrace but dies in office following a
goodwill tour.goodwill tour. To the end, his administration pursued an isolationist To the end, his administration pursued an isolationist
foreign policy and created immigration quota. foreign policy and created immigration quota.
Roaring 20s Amendments
18th Amendment: No booze 19th Amendment: Women get to vote!
Unknown Harding FactsUnknown Harding Facts
From the 1920s onward, Warren G. Harding has been From the 1920s onward, Warren G. Harding has been the subject of many potentially damaging allegations.the subject of many potentially damaging allegations.
The Ku Klux Klan claims that Harding was a The Ku Klux Klan claims that Harding was a member, initiated in a secret White House ceremony, member, initiated in a secret White House ceremony, and some reputable historians believe these claims.and some reputable historians believe these claims.
Political opponents and other historians have claimed Political opponents and other historians have claimed that Harding had African-American ancestors, and that Harding had African-American ancestors, and could therefore be considered our first African-could therefore be considered our first African-American president. American president.
The Business of AmericaThe Business of America
The automobile affects American life.The automobile affects American life. The airplane industry takes off.The airplane industry takes off. Although many businesses expand during the 1920s, others Although many businesses expand during the 1920s, others
suffer losses.suffer losses. The installment plan lures many American consumers into The installment plan lures many American consumers into
buying more goods than they can afford.buying more goods than they can afford. Automobiles, electrical appliances, and other consumer Automobiles, electrical appliances, and other consumer
goods flooded the market as America’s standards of living goods flooded the market as America’s standards of living soared in the 1920s. soared in the 1920s.
Although not everyone took part in the general prosperity, Although not everyone took part in the general prosperity, many Americans embraced the present and enjoyed life.many Americans embraced the present and enjoyed life.
Changes in politics and in the economy during the Changes in politics and in the economy during the 1920s contributed to a variety of cultural 1920s contributed to a variety of cultural developments. developments.
Heated debates over religion, dramatic shifts in Heated debates over religion, dramatic shifts in the roles of women and African Americans, and the roles of women and African Americans, and the rapid expansion of the entertainment industry the rapid expansion of the entertainment industry made the 1920s a period of tension and debate.made the 1920s a period of tension and debate.
The growth of cities results in new urban The growth of cities results in new urban lifestyles that conflict with traditional values.that conflict with traditional values.
Supporters of prohibition clash with those who Supporters of prohibition clash with those who ignore the law.ignore the law.
Fundamentalists believe that the biblical account Fundamentalists believe that the biblical account of creation is true.of creation is true.
Scopes Monkey Trial Many liberal thinkers believe in Many liberal thinkers believe in
the scientific theory of the scientific theory of evolution.evolution.
The opposing values clash in The opposing values clash in the Scopes trial, which the Scopes trial, which questions the roles of science questions the roles of science and religion and public schools.and religion and public schools.
The shift to a predominately The shift to a predominately urban society brought about urban society brought about many changes during the many changes during the 1920s. New lifestyles of city 1920s. New lifestyles of city dwellers and new ideas in dwellers and new ideas in education challenged education challenged traditional values.traditional values.
The Women of 1920sThe Women of 1920s The The flapper represents a new ideal for represents a new ideal for
young women.young women. A double standard requires women to A double standard requires women to
abide by stricter standards of behavior abide by stricter standards of behavior than men.than men.
Women assume new roles in the Women assume new roles in the workplace.workplace.
Technological advances simplify Technological advances simplify household tasks.household tasks.
Married women remain responsible for Married women remain responsible for housework and child care.housework and child care.
The The flapper symbolized the new, more symbolized the new, more independent, and sometimes flamboyant independent, and sometimes flamboyant role of women in the 1920s. In spite of role of women in the 1920s. In spite of new opportunities in the workplace, new opportunities in the workplace, women earned less than men and women earned less than men and continued to be primarily responsible for continued to be primarily responsible for the home and child care.the home and child care.
American Life in the 1920sAmerican Life in the 1920s
Public high schools take on new roles in preparing students for Public high schools take on new roles in preparing students for the future.the future.
Expanded news coverage and the development of radio give Expanded news coverage and the development of radio give Americans shared experiences.Americans shared experiences.
Sports heroes and movie stars inspire Americans.Sports heroes and movie stars inspire Americans. Writers, artists, and composers experiment with new styles.Writers, artists, and composers experiment with new styles. Much of the decade’s literature expresses a clash of values Much of the decade’s literature expresses a clash of values
within society.within society. The mass media, spectator sports, and movies created a shared The mass media, spectator sports, and movies created a shared
popular culture in the 1920s. popular culture in the 1920s. The art and literature of the decade reflected the disillusionment The art and literature of the decade reflected the disillusionment
of many Americans.of many Americans.
Economic Prosperity
America emerged from World War I with a strong economy.
In the 1920s, America became the wealthiest country in the world.
Yet there was a wide gap between the rich and the poor.
Scopes Monkey Trial Activity
In 1925, high school biology teacher John T. Scopes was accused of violating the Butler Act.
This law made it illegal for a teacher in any state-supported public school or college to teach any theory of evolution because it contradicted the Bible’s account of man’s creation.
The trial of John Scopes gained worldwide media attention.
APUSH Study Groups
Tuesdays
1. Jamal C.
2. Jamal B.
3. Kamilyah
4. Brooklyn
5. Allegra
6. Aleia
7. Camille
8. Leigh
Thursdays
1. Jasmine
2. Bre Ana
3. Chris W.
4. Taja
5. Jordan
6. Sydney
7. Dynasty
8. Kim
9. Eli
A National Crisis
Coolidge Presidency
Calvin Coolidge
Was elected vice-president under Harding in 1920.
After Harding’s death on August 2, 1923, he became president.
First challenge was to clean corruption that occurred while Harding was president
Keeping it Coolidge
Farmers in the western part of the country did not enjoy prosperity in the twenties, and they wanted government aid.
Congress approved the McNary-Haugen Farm Relief Bill, which proposed that the government buy surplus crops and sell them abroad to raise domestic agricultural prices.
Coolidge vetoes the bill in 1927 and 1928. Believed the government had no business fixing
prices.
Throughout his presidency he remained very conservative.
He opposed government intervention in private business, otherwise known as “laissez-faire.”
He decided not to run for another term as president in 1928.
He refused to run again because he believed there was no chance for government.
National Crisis
The Harlem Renaissance
What was the Harlem Renaissance?
The Harlem Renaissance was a cultural movement that spanned the 1920s and 1930s.
At the time, it was known as the "New Negro Movement", named after the 1925 anthology by Alain Locke.
The Harlem Renaissance is unofficially recognized to have spanned from about 1919 until the early or mid 1930s.
Many of its ideas lived on much longer
The Harlem RenaissanceThe Harlem Renaissance Racial violence, economic discrimination, and natural Racial violence, economic discrimination, and natural
disasters in the South cause many African Americans to disasters in the South cause many African Americans to move to Northern cities.move to Northern cities.
Tensions resulting from the influx of African Americans Tensions resulting from the influx of African Americans erupt in race riots.erupt in race riots.
African-American leaders propose different ways of African-American leaders propose different ways of responding to discrimination and violence.responding to discrimination and violence.
African-American writers explore and celebrate their African-American writers explore and celebrate their heritage.heritage.
African-American performers and musicians popularize African-American performers and musicians popularize their culture by appealing to a wide audience.their culture by appealing to a wide audience.
The Nicholas Brothers
Jazz Age Jazz features
improvisation, where the musician makes up the music as they are playing.
It also has an off-beat rhythm called syncopation.
It grew out of the Blues and Ragtime.
Louis Armstrong, Satchmo, was the biggest performer of the time.
Marcus Garvey Marcus Garvey came to
the United States penniless in 1916.
In just eleven years, he built the first large Black Nationalist movement the country had seen.
Famed as a public speaker, idealized as a leader, and notorious to some for his separatist and inflammatory beliefs, Garvey's impact was undeniable.
Jamaican-born Marcus Mosiah Garvey, Jr., was the founder of a political movement known as “Garveyism,” a “black pride” movement that encouraged African-American economic and political independence and the unity of all people of African descent.
Garveyism/Back to Africa Movement
At its height, in the years between the late teens and early 1920s, Garveyism was a massively popular movement, particularly among the poorest African Americans, who often felt overlooked and neglected by other black leaders of the day. The UNIA claimed to have millions of members, and Garvey himself addressed some 25,000 followers at Madison Square Garden in August 1920 for the opening of the First International Convention of the Negro Peoples of the World.
Garvey’s weekly newspaper, The Negro World, was widely read and featured contributions from such figures as Zora Neale Hurston and Arthur Schomburg.
But Garvey’s movement collapsed almost as quickly as it had risen.
In the early 1920s the federal government investigated his business holdings and charged him with mail fraud.
He was released from prison after two years, but was deported and died in obscurity.
The movement, however, enjoyed a renaissance with the resurgence of Black Nationalism in the 1960 and the popularity of such leaders as Malcolm X and the Black Panthers.
National Crisis
America in the 20th Century:The Roaring Twenties
The Great DepressionThe Great Depression
Fundamental Causes ofFundamental Causes of the Depression the Depression
Drop in farm pricesDrop in farm prices Massively uneven distribution Massively uneven distribution
of incomeof income ““Get rich quick” schemes in real Get rich quick” schemes in real
estate and especially in stocksestate and especially in stocks Overextension of creditOverextension of credit Increased inventories of goodsIncreased inventories of goods Immediate cause: October 1929 Immediate cause: October 1929
stock market crashstock market crashMany consumers in the
1920s bought items such as this ironer on credit
Causes of the Great DepressionCauses of the Great Depression
1.1. OverproductionOverproduction
2.2. under-consumptionunder-consumption
3.3. over speculation in the marketover speculation in the market
4.4. Availability of easy credit Availability of easy credit
5.5. And uneven distribution of incomeAnd uneven distribution of income
The Day the Bubble BurstThe Day the Bubble Burst
October 29, 1929October 29, 1929 More than 16 More than 16
million shares million shares traded in one daytraded in one day
Stock market lost Stock market lost $30 billion$30 billion
Beginning of the Beginning of the “Great “Great Depression”Depression”
The trading floor of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929
What happened on Black Tuesday?
a. Investors began to sell their stocks.b. Stockbrokers called in their margins.c. Banks called in their loans to
stockbrokers.d. Everybody panicked - everybody
sold all their stocks.e. The price of stocks went to zero.
Banking System CollapseBanking System Collapse Banks invested Banks invested
heavily in the heavily in the marketmarket
Collapse of Collapse of market led to market led to bank failuresbank failures
Many depositors Many depositors panicked, leading panicked, leading to even more to even more bank failuresbank failures
Worried depositors wait outside a bank hoping to withdraw their savings
Hoover’s ResponseHoover’s Response
President Hoover President Hoover overwhelmedoverwhelmed
Believed that private Believed that private charity was best suited charity was best suited to solve problemsto solve problems
Most efforts failedMost efforts failed Reconstruction Finance Reconstruction Finance
Corporation achieved Corporation achieved some successsome success
President Herbert Hoover
The Election of 1932The Election of 1932 Republicans Republicans
renominated Hooverrenominated Hoover Democrats nominated Democrats nominated
Franklin D. RooseveltFranklin D. Roosevelt Hoover’s inability to Hoover’s inability to
solve the Depression solve the Depression became the chief issuebecame the chief issue
FDR won in a FDR won in a landslidelandslide
Hoover Roosevelt
HoovervillesHoovervilles Settlements of Settlements of
shacks inhabited by shacks inhabited by transients and transients and unemployedunemployed
Derisively named Derisively named after President after President HooverHoover
Many cities and Many cities and towns had at least towns had at least oneone
Effects on the EconomyEffects on the Economy
Drop in gross national product (GDP)Drop in gross national product (GDP) Widespread unemploymentWidespread unemployment Decrease in wagesDecrease in wages Bank failuresBank failures Farm foreclosuresFarm foreclosures Business slowdownBusiness slowdown
The Bonus ArmyThe Bonus Army Patman Bill was to Patman Bill was to
move up bonus move up bonus payments from 1945 payments from 1945 to 1933to 1933
Veterans camped near Veterans camped near the Capitol to support the Capitol to support the billthe bill
Bill failed in CongressBill failed in Congress Hoover’s removal of Hoover’s removal of
vets made Hoover vets made Hoover appear heartlessappear heartless
With the U.S. capitol visible in the distance, shacks erected by the Bonus Expeditionary
Force burn
Effects on PeopleEffects on People
Poverty and despairPoverty and despair UnemploymentUnemployment HungerHunger HomelessnessHomelessness Increase in divorcesIncrease in divorces Increase in suicidesIncrease in suicides Decrease in marriagesDecrease in marriages Decrease in birthsDecrease in births
Effect on GovernmentEffect on Government
Committee for Unemployment ReliefCommittee for Unemployment Relief Agricultural Marketing ActAgricultural Marketing Act Federal Farm BoardFederal Farm Board Home Loan Bank ActHome Loan Bank Act Reconstruction Finance CorporationReconstruction Finance Corporation
The Great DepressionThe Great Depression
In-depth StudyIn-depth Study
1930 1930
The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was passed. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act was passed. The first bank panic occurred which resulted The first bank panic occurred which resulted
in a wave of bankruptcies.in a wave of bankruptcies. Sinclair Lewis was the first American writer to Sinclair Lewis was the first American writer to
receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. receive the Nobel Prize for Literature. The board game, Monopoly, was invented. The board game, Monopoly, was invented. The planet Pluto was discovered. The planet Pluto was discovered.
19311931
A second bank panic occurredA second bank panic occurred. . "The Star Spangled Banner" was adopted as "The Star Spangled Banner" was adopted as
the national anthem. the national anthem. The George Washington Bridge was The George Washington Bridge was
completed in New York City. completed in New York City. The Empire State Building was completed. The Empire State Building was completed. Jane Adams became the first American woman Jane Adams became the first American woman
to win the Nobel Peace Prize. to win the Nobel Peace Prize. Construction of the Hoover Dam began. Construction of the Hoover Dam began.
19321932 This year and the following were the worst years of the This year and the following were the worst years of the
depression. depression. Over thirteen million Americans had lost their jobs since 1929. Over thirteen million Americans had lost their jobs since 1929. Congress created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Congress created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. Franklin Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover and the Franklin Roosevelt defeated Herbert Hoover and the
Democrats gained control of Congress. Democrats gained control of Congress. General Douglas MacArthur broke up the Bonus March in General Douglas MacArthur broke up the Bonus March in
Washington D.C. Washington D.C. Los Angeles was the site of the Olympic Games. Los Angeles was the site of the Olympic Games. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the
Atlantic Ocean.Atlantic Ocean.
19331933 Roosevelt was inaugurated and began the "First 100 Days" of intense Roosevelt was inaugurated and began the "First 100 Days" of intense
legislation design to combat the effects of the depression. legislation design to combat the effects of the depression. A third banking panic occurred in March. President Roosevelt closed all A third banking panic occurred in March. President Roosevelt closed all
financial institutions to stop a run on the banksfinancial institutions to stop a run on the banks. . Congress authorized the Agricultural Adjustment Administration Congress authorized the Agricultural Adjustment Administration
(AAA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Farm Credit (AAA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Farm Credit Administration (FCA), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Administration (FCA), the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FEMA), the (FDIC), the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FEMA), the National Recovery Administration (NRA), the Public Works National Recovery Administration (NRA), the Public Works Administration (PWA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Administration (PWA), and the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).
Congress passed the Emergency Banking Bill, the Glass-Steagall Act of Congress passed the Emergency Banking Bill, the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933, the Farm Credit Act, the National Industrial Recovery Act, and 1933, the Farm Credit Act, the National Industrial Recovery Act, and the Truth in Securities Act. the Truth in Securities Act.
The Twentieth Amendment was passed outlining the terms of the The Twentieth Amendment was passed outlining the terms of the presidency. presidency.
The Twenty-first Amendment was passed repealing ProhibitionThe Twenty-first Amendment was passed repealing Prohibition. . The Federal Housing Authority was created. The Federal Housing Authority was created. President Roosevelt introduced his fireside chats. President Roosevelt introduced his fireside chats. The film "King Kong" was released. The film "King Kong" was released.
19341934
Congress authorized the Federal Congress authorized the Federal Communications Commission, the National Communications Commission, the National Mediation Board, and the Securities and Mediation Board, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. Exchange Commission.
The Dust Bowl began on the Great PlainsThe Dust Bowl began on the Great Plains. . Shirley Temple made her film debut. Shirley Temple made her film debut.
19351935 Congress authorized the creation of the Works Congress authorized the creation of the Works
Progress Administration (WPA), the National Labor Progress Administration (WPA), the National Labor Relations Board, and the Rural Electrification Relations Board, and the Rural Electrification Administration. Administration.
Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act Congress passed the National Labor Relations Act and the Social Security Act. and the Social Security Act.
George Gershwin's Opera "Porgy and Bess" opened. George Gershwin's Opera "Porgy and Bess" opened. Jesse Owens set five world records in one hour. Jesse Owens set five world records in one hour. Swing music became popular. Swing music became popular. Charles Richter developed a scale to measure Charles Richter developed a scale to measure
earthquakes. earthquakes.
19361936
President Roosevelt was elected to a second termPresident Roosevelt was elected to a second term. . Congress passed the Soil Conservation and Domestic Congress passed the Soil Conservation and Domestic
Allotment Act. Allotment Act. Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympics Jesse Owens won four gold medals at the Olympics
in Berlin. in Berlin. "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell was "Gone with the Wind" by Margaret Mitchell was
published. published. Construction of the Hoover Dam was completed. Construction of the Hoover Dam was completed.
19371937
Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Amelia Earhart disappeared over the Pacific Ocean. Ocean.
The Golden Gate Bridge opened. The Golden Gate Bridge opened. The Hindenburg blimp exploded. The Hindenburg blimp exploded. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" opened. "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" opened. Bugs Bunny made his debut. Bugs Bunny made his debut.
19381938
Congress passed the Fair Labor Standards ActCongress passed the Fair Labor Standards Act. . Orson Welles caused a panic with his radio Orson Welles caused a panic with his radio
broadcast of "The War of the Worlds." broadcast of "The War of the Worlds." Superman made his debut in comics. Superman made his debut in comics. The March of Dimes was organized. The March of Dimes was organized. Vitamin E was identified. Vitamin E was identified. Chlorophyll was discovered. Chlorophyll was discovered.
1939
World War II began in Europe on September 1 World War II began in Europe on September 1 with the invasion of Poland by Germanywith the invasion of Poland by Germany. .
John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" was John Steinbeck's "Grapes of Wrath" was published. published.
The World's Fair opened in New York. The World's Fair opened in New York. "Gone with the Wind" made its movie debut. "Gone with the Wind" made its movie debut. Grandma Moses' paintings were displayed in Grandma Moses' paintings were displayed in
New York City. New York City.
National Crisis:
The New Deal
The New Deal It began with the election of FDR in the U.S. It was FDR’s program to pull the U.S. out of the
Depression.a. Relief - It provided relief to the needy.b. Recovery - It made GNP rise and unemployment fall.c. Reform - Make changes, like Social
Security, to prevent a future Depression. It restored people’s faith in democracy and the free
enterprise system. At a time when countries like Nazi Germany were headed into dictatorship.
Despite the program’s successes, it did not end the Depression.
The reason why it needed was because The Great Depression shook the economic foundations of the U.S.
More importantly, there were no federal welfare programs!
The New Deal provided relief to the needy by creating the alphabet programs: CCC, WPA, etc.
The ABCS of the New Deal
Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)
Provided relief aid through state and local agencies
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Employed young men on public-works projects
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Employed men and women to do public works, research,
and artistic projects
Public Works Administration (PWA)
Set up public projects to increase employment and
business activity
Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
Constructed dam and power projects to improve seven-
state region.
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)
Increased government regulation of crop production
and payments to farmers.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
Helped to restore confidence in banks by insuring all
deposits
Social Security Act (SSA)
Provided unemployment benefits, pensions for older Americans, and survivor’s
insurance
Indian Reorganization Act (IRA)
Revived tribal rule and provided funds to start tribal business
ventures and to pay for college education of young Native
Americans
Civil Works Administration (CWA)
Provided work in federal jobs
National Youth Administration (NYA)
Provided job training for unemployed young people
and part-time jobs for needy students
Emergency Banking Act (EBRA)
Banks were inspected by Treasury Department and those stable could reopen.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Supervised the stock market and eliminated dishonest
practices.
Rural Electrification Administration
Provided affordable electricity for isolated rural areas.
Federal Housing Authority
Insured loans for building and repairing homes.
Effects of New Deal
The New Deal preserved democracy. The New Deal preserved the free enterprise
system. The New Deal was a continuation and
extension of policies begun during the Progressive Era. (Government regulation of Big Business.)
The Battles of FDR
Huey Long (LA) and FDR were political rivals.
Long tries to put forth his “share the wealth” plan, which called for taxing the rich and using the funds to give everyone a home and annual income of $2,500.
Soon, several of the ABC programs were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court (NIRA, AAA, SSA, and TVA).
FDR responded by attempting to increase the number of justices (court-packing) in the Supreme Court from 9 to 15.
He wanted to appoint people who were supportive of the New Deal.
The idea was later dropped after the Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the SSA.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Viewed as a woman of great compassion.
Worked tirelessly to help the less fortunate.
Stood out a symbol of social progress and women’s activism.
National Crisis
WWII:War on the Home Front, Neutrality Acts, Lend-Lease Acts, Arsenal of Democracy, & Four Freedoms
Setting the Stage
At the dawn of the 1940s, some Americans suspected that the war raging in Europe would eventually pull the U.S. into the fight, but most saw the conflict as far away and felt secure that they would be safe.
WWII: The Homefront Mindful of popular opinion as well as
congressional investigations into America’s entry into World War I, the U.S. proclaimed itself “officially neutral” as the European war began in 1939.
After rapid Nazi victories in Poland and France, however, President Franklin D. Roosevelt decided that the U.S. could not sit idly by.
Neutrality Acts Congress had passed a series of Neutrality
Acts in the late 1930s to keep the U.S. out of costly, destructive entanglements such as WWI.
FDR agreed to revise the acts to allow belligerents to purchase weapons and non-military goods on a “cash and carry” basis (that is, having a nation pay the entire bill now and arrange for all transport of goods).
In addition, he requested significant budget increases for the military and stepped up airplane production.
Neutrality Act 0f 1935
Arms Embargo- the president would decide when a state of war existed—no contraband could be sold to belligerents or to neutrals.
Shipping was restricted—American ships were forbidden to transport contraband
American travelers were warned that they traveled on belligerent ships at their own risk.
Neutrality Acts of 1936
No loans could be made to belligerents.
Extended the embargo to any nation joining the belligerents
Latin America was exempted if they were at war with a non-American country
Neutrality Acts of 1937 The earlier restrictions were extended
indefinitely—applies to wars & civil conflicts Americans were forbidden to travel on
belligerent ships. “cash and carry” was allowed for raw
materials—the president could enumerate the goods that could be sold.
Forbade arming merchant ships & closed American ports to belligerent warships—Latin American ships were exempted—it was up to the president to recognize a state of war between nations.
As the situation in Europe deteriorated, FDR ran for an unprecedented third term as president.
He defeated internationalist Republican Wendell Willkie in 1940, promising voters that “your boys are not going to be sent into any foreign wars.”
However, by Christmas 1940, he stated in a fireside chat that the U.S. must become the “great arsenal of Democracy.”
The Arsenal of Democracy
In January, FDR proposed the Lend-Lease Act, which allowed the U.S. to “lend or lease” weapons to Britain, to be paid for after the war.
This effectively skirted the “cash and carry” provision of the Neutrality Acts.
Though the U.S. had not officially declared war against Germany, it had certainly become involved in the fight.
Lend-Lease Act
Meanwhile, the U.S. looked for a peaceful way to stop Japanese aggression against China.
In an effort to derail the Japanese war machine, the FDR decided to embargo sales of needed military goods, such as oil and scrap metal.
The embargo convinced some Japanese leaders to best handle any threat by the U.S. military with a stunning attack against military installations, such as the naval base at Pearl Harbor.
The America First Committee Founded in September 1940, the AFC soon
rose to more than 800,000 members across the nation.
Members included Robert E. Wood, chairman of Sears, Roebuck, and Co.; WWI flying ace Eddie Rickenbacker; and “New Deal agitators” Father Charles Coughlin and Gerald L.K. Smith.
However, the most famous member was probably aviator Charles Lindbergh, whose 1927 solo transatlantic flight had made him a national hero.
He believed that the U.S. should focus on building up its air and coastal defenses, asserting that what FDR was asking the American people to enter into and support were actually Europe’s problems, and decrying the fact that voters never had an opportunity to vote on these policies.
For nearly a year, the America First Committee spoke out against American involvement in the war in Europe. However, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor silenced the organization, which dissolved less than a week after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
FDR’s Four Freedoms Perhaps no one made a better case for American internationalism
in the days before the U.S. entered the war than President Roosevelt himself in his famous “Four Freedoms” speech.
FDR, recently elected to an unprecedented third term, wanted to impress on the American people—many of whom still opposed U.S. involvement in the widening war in Europe—that aid to Britain, now standing alone against Germany, not only ensured their security but protected basic freedoms of all persons everywhere.
Four Freedoms Speech“In the future days, which we seek to make secure, we look
forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms.
The first is freedom of speech and expression—everywhere in the world.
The second is freedom of every person to worship God in his way—everywhere in the world.
The third is freedom from want—which, translated into world terms, means economic understandings which will secure to
every nation a healthy peacetime life for its inhabitants—everywhere in the world.
The fourth is freedom from fear—which, translated into world terms, means a worldwide reduction of armaments to such a point and in such a thorough fashion that no nation will be in a position to commit an act of physical aggression against
any neighbor—anywhere in the world.”
A National Crisis
WWII:Selective Service Act, Atlantic Charter, Fighting Discrimination, & Pearl Harbor
Selective Service Act of 1940 President Roosevelt had promised American
voters that “your boys aren’t going to be sent into any foreign wars.”
However, he also recognized the need for bolstering the armed forces in case the U.S. did enter the war.
To that end, Congress passed the Selective Service and Training Act of 1940 (commonly called the “Selective Service Act”), instituting the country’s first peacetime draft.
The law required all males aged 21–35 to register.
A lottery system would help to select draftees for duty; if selected, the act required a man to serve for 12 months, after which he would be discharged.
All service had to occur in the mainland U.S. or in a U.S. possession.
The act limited the peacetime army to a maximum of 900,000 men.
It also allowed for non-combat duty for conscientious objectors.
By summer 1941, it had become increasingly evident that the U.S. would enter the war.
By a single vote, Congress extended the act’s term of service from 12 to 18 months.
Congress passed a new Selective Service Act soon after U.S. joined the war, which required all men aged 18–65 to register for the draft and made all men aged 18–45 eligible for military service.
This new act lengthened the term of service to six months after the end of the war.
From 1940 until 1947 (when the wartime draft law expired), more than 10 million Americans were inducted into military service.
The Atlantic Charter
The President of the United States of America and the Prime Minister, Mr. Churchill, representing His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom, being met together, deem it right to make known certain common principles in the national policies of their respective countries on which they base their hopes for a better future for the world.
First, their countries seek no aggrandizement, territorial or other;
Second, they desire to see no territorial changes that do not accord with the freely expressed wishes of the peoples concerned;
Third, they respect the right of all peoples to choose the form of government under which they will live; and they wish to see sovereign rights and self government restored to those who have been forcibly deprived of them;
Fourth, they will endeavor, with due respect for their existing obligations, to further the enjoyment by all States, great or small, victor or vanquished, of access, on equal terms, to the trade and to the raw materials of the world which are needed for their economic prosperity;
Fifth, they desire to bring about the fullest collaboration between all nations in the economic field with the object of securing, for all, improved labor standards, economic advancement and social security;
Sixth, after the final destruction of the Nazi tyranny, they hope to see established a peace which will afford to all nations the means of dwelling in safety within their own boundaries, and which will afford assurance that all the men in all the lands may live out their lives in freedom from fear and want;
Seventh, such a peace should enable all men to traverse the high seas and oceans without hindrance;
Eighth, they believe that all of the nations of the world, for realistic as well as spiritual reasons must come to the abandonment of the use of force.
Protesting Discrimination In 1941, A. Philip Randolph, the founder of the
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, proposed a march on Washington, D.C., to protest discrimination in the military and in industry.
He called on African Americans from all over the United States to come to Washington and join him.
President Roosevelt, afraid the march might cause unrest among whites, summoned Randolph to the White House and asked him to call off the march.
When Randolph refused, Roosevelt issued an executive order that called on employers and labor unions to cease discrimination in hiring practices in industries related to defense.
As a result of Roosevelt’s actions, the march was canceled.
Pearl Harbor American hopes of staying out of war ended
on December 7, 1941, when carrier-based Japanese planes bombed the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.
In the attack, more than 2400 Americans were killed, with over 1100 wounded. Several American battleships were either sunk or badly damaged.
The USS Arizona was destroyed by an armor-piercing bomb that detonated in the ship’s fuel and ammunition chain; more than 1100 sailors and Marines died onboard the ship.
Other Japanese planes heavily damaged Pearl Harbor’s army installations and airfields.
American naval and airpower eventually recovered from the attack, but on that day, it was far from certain whether the U.S. military could adequately respond to the Japanese threat.
A National Crisis
Mobilization & Rosie the Riveter
Axis Powers vs. Allied Powers
• Germany• Italy• Japan
• China• France• Great Britain• Soviet Union• United States
Mobilization After Pearl Harbor, 5 million men
volunteered for military service, but more were needed to fight the war.
The Selective Service System expanded the draft, and 10 million more men joined the ranks of the American armed forces.
So great was the need of the military, a Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps was formed to fill noncombat positions otherwise filled by men, freeing up the men for frontline duty.
The men needed tanks, planes, ships, guns, bullets, and boots.
To equip the troops, the entire American industry was dedicated to supplying the military.
More than 6 million workers in the plants, factories, and shipyards were women.
With the men who once did these jobs now fighting overseas, women filled the void.
Rosie the Riveter Women volunteered
for this work even though they were paid on average only 60% as much as men doing the same jobs.
It was the hard work of people and the industrial might of the United States that helped America win World War II.
As time went on, the war industry needed more raw materials.
One way Americans helped the war effort was through wartime conservation.
Workers would carpool to work or ride bicycles to save gasoline and rubber.
People participated in nationwide drives to collect scrap iron, tin cans, newspaper, rags, and even cooking grease to recycle and use in war production.
Another way Americans conserved on the home front was through the mandatory government rationing system.
Under this system, each household received a “c book” with coupons that were used to buy scarce items such as meat, sugar, and coffee. Gas rationing was also used to help save gasoline for military use.
A National Crisis
Battle of Midway, D-Day, Fall of Berlin, & the Atomic Bomb
Battle of Midway June 4–7, 1942––Six months after the Japanese attack
on Pearl Harbor, the U.S. Navy won a sea battle against the Japanese Navy that was a turning point in World War II.
The Japanese tried to trap and sink America’s remaining aircraft carriers and then take the Midway Atoll, an American refueling station for ships and airplanes, but the United States destroyed four Japanese aircraft carriers while losing only one American carrier.
This kept the Japanese from capturing Midway.
This victory is regarded as the most important naval engagement of the Pacific campaign of the war and, at the time, was a huge morale boost for America.
The Japanese Navy never recovered from this defeat, enabling the United States to gain control of other strategic Pacific islands.
From those islands, the United States was able to overcome the geographical difficulty of resupplying its forces with food, medicine, weapons, and other critical supplies needed to push westward toward the Japanese mainland.
D Day June 6, 1944––D Day was the code name for the first day of
Operation Overlord, the Allied invasion of Nazi-occupied France.
It remains the largest seaborne invasion in history, with over 156,000 men crossing the English Channel in 6,939 vessels.
The German troops occupying France were caught almost completely by surprise and, although the Allies met heavy resistance in small areas, the invasion went almost exactly according to plan.
As a result of the operation’s success, American and British forces were able to maintain a permanent beachhead in mainland Europe to resupply their forces and push east to Germany.
The geographical advantage gained by the invasion marked the beginning of victory for the Allies in Europe.
The Fall of Berlin April–May 1945––The fall of Berlin was one of the final
battles of the European theater during World War II. Two Soviet army groups attacked Berlin from the east and
south, while a third attacked German forces north of Berlin. The Soviets lost 81,116 men taking the city, while the
Germans lost 458,080 trying to defend it. It was one of the bloodiest battles in history. Adolf Hitler was
in Berlin during the battle and, before it ended, he and many of his followers committed suicide.
The city’s defenders surrendered on May 2, but fighting continued outside the city until the war ended on May 8.
Much of the continued fighting was due to the Germans trying to move westward so they could surrender to the Americans or British instead of to the Soviets.
Atomic Bomb Allied leaders planning the war against Japan knew that once
they defeated the Japanese navy in the Pacific Ocean they would still have to invade Japan itself to end
the war. They knew Japan still had a huge army that would defend every inch of the homeland, and
both sides could possibly lose millions of people in the process. President Truman decided there was only one way to avoid an
invasion of Japan and still defeat them. He would use a brand-new weapon that no one had ever seen
before: the atomic bomb. The American government had developed two atomic bombs in
a secret laboratory in Los Alamos, New Mexico. The bombs were dropped on Japan in early August 1945. On
September 2, 1945, the Japanese surrendered, and World War II was finally over.
The project’s code name was “The Manhattan Project.”
Atomic Bomb (cont’d) The implications of developing and using atomic bombs in
World War II were enormous. From a military standpoint, it was clear that not only did the
United States have a powerful weapon that no other country had, but the American government was not afraid to use it.
The Soviet Union quickly began developing an atomic bomb of its own, an act that helped begin the Cold War.
Also, nuclear power would soon be used to power aircraft carriers and submarines.
Scientifically and economically, the atomic bomb led to nuclear power for civilian use, such as generating electricity for homes and businesses.
Nuclear power is also used in technologies such as positron emission tomography (PET) scans, which are used by physicians to study the workings of the human body, including brain functions.
