CH-25-26 Transition to Modern America, 1919-1928 – American Stories: A History of the United States : Exam Guide

This Document Contains Chapters 25 to 26 Chapter 25: Transition to Modern America, 1919-1928 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) The American economy in the 1920s saw explosive growth in __________. a. the consumer goods industries b. cotton mills c. the energy industry d. agriculture e. the steel industry Answer: a 2) What was the key to the new affluence of the 1920s? a. new methods of business organization b. the discovery of new sources of raw materials c. better methods of financing business d. a more skilled workforce e. new technology Answer: e 3) Crucial to the growth of the automobile industry in the 1920s was __________. a. new buyer financing techniques b. new and increased marketing c. the long life of the new automobile d. the new method of financing the industry e. greater disposable income Answer: b 4) What characterized the American economy of the 1920s? a. a desire for foreign imports over domestic products b. a reduction in consumer spending c. advertising becoming a major industry d. a revival in small shops over larger department stores e. a boom in agriculture Answer: c 5) The revolution in consumer goods __________. a. disguised the decline of many traditional industries b. epitomized the growth of all areas of the economy c. was a short-term factor in the American economy d. aided all other kinds of industry e. helped fuel growth in the railroad industry Answer: a 6) The weakest area of the American economy in the 1920s was __________. a. automobiles b. agriculture c. banking d. exports e. manufacturing Answer: b 7) Women in the 1920s __________. a. had mostly low-paying jobs b. increasingly became doctors rather than nurses c. earned nearly one-half of all graduate degrees d. made considerable gains as college professors, reaching almost 25 percent of the faculty e. made a substantial permanent gain in the overall number of working women Answer: a 8) What impact did the Nineteenth Amendment have on women? a. It thrust women into the political arena. b. It fundamentally redefined the sex roles in society. c. It encouraged droves of middle class women to leave the home and enter the workforce. d. It had less impact on women than women had hoped for. e. It further unified women on national causes. Answer: d 9) Sports flourished in the 1920s because __________. a. city dwellers attempted to escape the violence in the streets b. it was part of the youthful revolt of teenagers c. new sports were more interesting to women d. the wealthy sought ways to relieve boredom e. people had more leisure time Answer: e 10) The __________ symbolized the flowering of African American culture in the 1920s. a. growth of the NAACP b. flapper era c. Harlem Renaissance d. expatriate community e. "Garveyites" Answer: c 11) During the Red Scare of 1919-1920, who led the attack on the alien threat? a. Mitchell Palmer b. Clarence Darrow c. Warren G. Harding d. Alexander Berkman e. William Jennings Bryan Answer: a 12) Sacco and Vanzetti were convicted of murder primarily because they were __________. a. Russian immigrants b. anarchists c. atheists d. guilty e. black Answer: b 13) What did the Volstead Act do? a. implemented prohibition b. restricted immigration c. created special supervision over stockyards, packinghouses, and grain trading d. reduced income taxes for the wealthy e. established a higher protective tariff Answer: a 14) The Ku Klux Klan of the 1920s __________. a. appealed to old-stock Americans nervous about social and cultural change b. focused solely on blacks in both the North and the South c. was not politically active or powerful d. admitted women as long as they were white, native-born Protestants e. was active mainly in the Old South Answer: a 15) The Ku Klux Klan collapsed after __________. a. several major leaders were convicted of sexual and financial crimes b. it was unmasked as a secret communist conspiracy c. new federal laws made membership a crime in 1927 d. evangelist Billy Sunday denounced it in a widely reprinted sermon e. southerners abandoned it as being unlike the Reconstruction-era Klan Answer: a 16) Which of the following is true of the immigration legislation of the 1920s? a. The legislation had no lasting effect. b. It was opposed by the large corporations. c. It encouraged immigration from underdeveloped countries. d. The legislation was the most enduring achievement of the rural counterattack. e. It was quickly repealed in the 1930s. Answer: d 17) Which group was exempted from the provisions of the National Origins Act of 1921? a. Italians b. Russians c. Germans d. Mexicans e. Irish Answer: d 18) John Scopes was tried for __________. a. sending package bombs through the mail during the Red Scare b. evading the draft during World War I c. shouting "fire" in a crowded theater d. teaching the theory of evolution in a Tennessee high school e. abducting and murdering the infant son of Charles Lindbergh Answer: d 19) Harding and his successors __________. a. sought to continue the policies of Wilson b. wanted a return to traditional Republican policies c. advanced in new directions d. sought to maintain the status quo e. wanted to redefine "Republicanism" Answer: b 20) Secretary of the Treasury Andrew Mellon pushed for __________. a. lower tax rates for everyone b. lower personal taxes for the rich c. higher corporation taxes d. higher taxes for the rich e. the abolition of the income tax Answer: b 21) As secretary of commerce, Herbert Hoover __________. a. sought to limit government-business relations b. established a mediocre reputation c. differed with the policies of Harding and Coolidge d. pushed for closer relations between government and business e. was totally unable to accomplish his goals Answer: d 22) What was the root of the farmers' problems in the 1920s? a. crop disease b. foreign competition c. high labor costs d. overproduction e. high tariff rates Answer: d 23) The Democratic candidate in the election of 1928 was __________. a. Robert M. La Follette b. James Cox c. John W. Davis d. Al Smith e. William McAdoo Answer: d 24) Which of the following was an indicator of the future strength of the Democratic party? a. its success in the presidential race of 1924 b. the shift of urban voters to the party c. an increase in the number of rural Democrats d. the unpopularity of Republican presidents e. a large number of women voters Answer: b 25) Beneath the surface, the two candidates in the election of 1928 __________. a. were strikingly similar b. were radically different c. were somewhat alike d. had little in common e. despised each other Answer: a 26) What was the significance of Ford's Highland Park plant in the transition to modern America? a. It was the first factory to open in the United States. b. It marked the beginning of mass production in the United States. c. This plant produced crucial military equipment for the First World War. d. It was the place where organized labor first emerged. e. Women were employed here for the first time. Answer: b 27) How did the advent of mass production change the lives of Americans in the early twentieth century? a. As a result, Americans attained the highest standard of living in the world. b. It resulted in an increase in racial harmony among U.S. workers. c. Due to the mechanization of production, unemployment rates plummeted. d. The farmers of rural America benefited due to increased demand for produce. e. Due to the availability of cheap goods, poverty went into decline. Answer: a 28) What was one of the weaknesses of the consumer goods economy? a. Mass production resulted in the depletion of crucial natural resources. b. Labor disputes disrupted the production process and damaged economic growth. c. The quality of the goods that were produced was substandard. d. It led to the spread of national supermarket and department store chains. e. The production of so-called durable goods eventually decreased demand. Answer: e 29) What was the effect of uniformity and standardization on the lives of average Americans? a. an increase in the average salary of the American worker b. women being able to afford to enter the workforce c. homogenization of consumer goods and a decline in regional variety d. economic stability that persisted throughout the rest of the decade e. countless new brands emerging as different regions produced their own goods Answer: c 30) What was one downside to this period of rapid economic growth? a. Many traditional industries, such as agriculture, went into a period of decline. b. Industry was frequently interrupted by crippling labor strikes. c. The overall standard of living of Americans declined at this time. d. Unemployment rates skyrocketed due to the advent of mass production. e. It was difficult to differentiate between urban culture and rural American values. Answer: a 31) Where and why did the major demographic shift of the 1920s take place? a. There was a mass movement of people from the cities to the suburbs due to the advent of the automobile. b. There was a mass movement of people from the rural countryside to cities because consumer industries were located there. c. The development of mechanization in agricultural production drew populations from urban to more rural areas. d. People moved from the cities to rural areas to escape overcrowding and poor air quality. e. Generally speaking, there was relative demographic stability during this period. Answer: b 32) How did the emergence of urban culture affect the lives of women? a. Women had larger families as more children entered the workforce to supplement their family’s income. b. Traditional sex roles changed, so fewer women stayed home to raise the family. c. Salaries of female workers began to climb during this period. d. Being less restricted, some women felt more comfortable expressing themselves. e. More women than men were able to attain graduate degrees. Answer: d 33) In what way can Jazz Age activities be seen as an effect of the economic growth of this period? a. The consumer goods boom resulted in a multiplication of sporting events and other forms of entertainment. b. Lower tariffs provided easier access to European goods, influencing fashion and other cultural trends. c. Increased standards of living provided the middle class with leisure time and disposable income to spend on an increasing variety of diversions. d. Exuberant dances like the Charleston expressed the new financial prosperity enjoyed by many Americans at this time. e. As the overall standard of living increased, rural Americans felt less restrained by conservative morals and more free to explore new forms of entertainment. Answer: c 34) How did attitudes toward sex and marriage change at this time? a. Victorian attitudes towards sex and marriage reemerged to dominate American society throughout the 1920s. b. There was little change in attitudes toward sex and marriage at this time in American history. c. Extramarital affairs became less prevalent, as conservative values dominated urban American society. d. The increase in drinking and the countercultural style of urbanites resulted in a return to more conservative attitudes toward sex and marriage. e. There was an increased permissiveness in attitudes toward sex, and more tolerance toward and a higher incidence of divorce. Answer: e 35) How did conservatives react to the cultural transformations taking place in American cities during the 1920s? a. They had a general concern that cultural change would lead to economic instability and loss of international influence. b. In their minds, the transformation was eroding traditional values and was seen as threatening. c. They saw change as a good thing and cultural transformation as a natural process. d. They were pleased that the changes taking place in American cities in the 1920s resulted in an increase in church attendance. e. They believed that sporting events, cultural activities such as concerts, and the rise of speakeasies all represented opportunities for economic growth. Answer: b 36) How did the "Red Scare" shape American society in the 1920s? a. The authorities ensured the civil liberties of all citizens, despite fears of radical elements within American society. b. There was an increased sense of fear as radicals committed violent acts such as the bombing of Attorney General Palmer's home in 1919. c. The Red Scare contributed to a rise in membership of the Communist party in the United States. d. The Red Scare led to heightened antagonism toward Asians and their widespread deportation. e. In cases such as the Sacco and Vanzetti trial, America’s founding ideals were upheld and justice prevailed over prejudice. Answer: b 37) What did the "Red Scare" reveal about the darker side of American society? a. There was a deep undercurrent of intolerance and bigotry in American society. b. Americans were more interested in economic growth than in personal liberties. c. Racism emerged as a new phenomenon in the America of the 1920s. d. Americans were willing to tolerate immigrants and racial minorities as long as they stayed out of political life. e. There was a general indifference toward issues of race, ethnicity, and national identity in the United States at that time. Answer: a 38) Which group in American society benefited most from prohibition? a. The upper middle class benefited most because they were exempt from prohibition. b. Those who benefited most were the ones who controlled the illegal production and sale of alcoholic beverages. c. As the champions of this "noble experiment," conservatives were the ones who benefited most. d. Churches and psychologists benefited due to the increased role they played in counseling alcoholics. e. The judicial system benefited as its role in enforcement gave it more power in state and local government. Answer: b 39) Why did the KKK experience rapid growth during the decade of the 1920s? a. Since the KKK were the chief producers and purveyors of illegal liquor during prohibition, many Americans entered their ranks. b. The perception of eroding traditional values and the influx of foreigners led many to adopt extremist views such as those espoused by the KKK. c. As with the rise of jazz, sports, and other leisure activities at this time, the growth of the KKK was an indicator of a rise in the standard of living. d. The KKK was primarily concerned with preserving the ethnic diversity of American society, which attracted many to its ranks. e. The presence of a Junior Order for young boys gave the Klan a broader appeal. Answer: b 40) Why did so-called nativists resist the influx of immigrants from Europe at this time? a. There was a strong sense of resentment of Europeans due to American involvement in the First World War. b. In general, nativist Americans tended to favor immigration from "native" Latin American countries rather than from Europe. c. European immigrants were taking a large percentage of high-paying jobs, which angered citizens of the United States. d. There was widespread concern that the influx of foreigners would deprive Americans of lower-paying but more abundant jobs. e. Scientists had proven than European peoples were genetically inferior and therefore ought to be prevented from intermingling with American people. Answer: d 41) What did the Scopes trial reveal about religious tensions during the 1920s? a. It revealed a sharp divide over modern ideas between Christian fundamentalists of rural America and more liberal-minded Christians of urban areas. b. It demonstrated that Protestant Americans were deeply suspicious of the Roman Catholic Church. c. The Scopes trial was a pivotal moment in the heated debate over abortion and the role that government should or should not play in its use. d. It highlighted the divide between more aggressive fundamentalist sects and forms of Christianity that emphasized good works and personal service. e. The Scopes trial was the beginning of religion's central role in American politics, alienating many who believed strongly in the separation of church and state. Answer: a 42) What did Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover have in common? a. All three were presidents from the Democratic party. b. All three presidents were raised in one of America's large cities. c. All three were conservatives who epitomized traditional American values. d. All three were involved in scandals while in office. e. All three strongly supported small business owners and labor unions. Answer: c 43) What was the intent of the Republican party's push for "normalcy" during the 1920s? a. The return to normalcy indicated a Republican reservation about innovation and a preference for federal approaches to creating wealth and prosperity. b. It suggested a strategy that resulted in the raising of income taxes on all classes of Americans. c. This phrase indicated that Republicans would seek to reverse the cultural transformation and modernization sweeping American society. d. As part of the planned return to normalcy, Republicans sought to shrink government intervention in all aspects of the American economy. e. Reacting to fast-paced reforms of progressive presidents such as Woodrow Wilson and Teddy Roosevelt, Republicans in the 1920s sought stability and security. Answer: e 44) How did Republican policies affect the wealthiest Americans? a. Overall, the wealthiest Americans paid a higher percentage of their income in taxes. b. Both poor and wealthy Americans benefited from Republican policies in the 1920s. c. Throughout the 1920s, wealthy Americans saw their income taxes reduced significantly. d. Due to Republican policies, the wealthiest Americans would end up being the hardest hit during the Great Depression. e. Unemployment among the wealthiest Americans went into sharp decline during the 1920s. Answer: c 45) Why did Hoover have greater appeal than Smith in the election of 1928? a. As a Catholic and big-city politician, Hoover appealed to the immigrant population that was larger than the "nativist" population. b. As a Protestant and someone who stood for traditional American values, Hoover appealed to a larger majority of Americans. c. Hoover was a self-made man who embodied the American belief in freedom of opportunity and upward mobility. d. Hoover had fought in the First World War, but Smith had not. e. Prior to the presidential race of 1928, Smith had never been involved in politics. Answer: b 46) What was the pivotal role of religion in the 1928 election? a. Most Americans voted for Hoover as the Protestant candidate. b. Most Americans were Catholic immigrants and identified with Smith. c. The Ku Klux Klan supported Hoover because he was Protestant. d. The Roman Catholic Church ordered its faithful to vote for Al Smith. e. Religiously active Protestants refused to participate in this election. Answer: a 47) Which issue from the 1920s continues to affect politics and education today? a. evolution versus creationism b. segregation versus integration c. immigration rights versus nativist exclusions d. prohibition versus legal alcohol consumption e. local versus national government powers Answer: a 48) What was the impact of the First World War on the United States during the 1920s? a. The United States emerged as the most powerful country in the world and spent the 1920s solidifying its pre-eminence through political and economic policies. b. The United States was greatly devastated financially and emotionally and spent the 1920s rebuilding financial and emotional confidence. c. The United States emerged from the war as one of the dominant nations of the world and spent the 1920s economically and politically solidifying that dominance. d. The United States was frightened by worldwide conflict and spent the 1920s doing everything it could to avoid foreign contacts. e. The United States continued well into the 1920s to be divided by ethnicity, with German and Russian Americans on one side, and English and French Americans on the other. Answer: c 49) How were families affected by changes sweeping American society in the 1920s? a. Generally, childhood and adolescence became shorter periods because families needed to send children to work at a younger age. b. Casual sex and the consumption of alcohol declined among youth during the 1920s. c. The "youth movement" of the 1920s championed traditional family values, such as respect for one's parents. d. Church attendance increased in urban areas due to the availability of a wider variety of options. e. The average American family decreased in size due to the availability of more effective birth control methods. Answer: e 50) Why were Republicans able to dominate politics in the 1920s, controlling both Congress and the presidency? a. Republicans appealed to the traditional values of immigrant groups and factory workers. b. Americans were looking for a return to traditional policies following the changes of the Progressive Era. c. Republican government pushed for increased taxation to provide more services to the urban poor. d. The government role in the economy decreased in the 1920s. e. Lower tariffs provided better access to inexpensive, European consumer goods, fueling the Jazz Age culture. Answer: b Essay Questions 51) How did mass production, mass marketing, and popular culture begin to homogenize regional and local subcultures during the 1920s? Answer: During the 1920s, several key factors contributed to the homogenization of regional and local subcultures in the United States: 1. Mass Production: The 1920s saw the rise of mass production techniques, particularly in industries like automobiles and consumer goods. This led to the widespread availability of standardized products that were the same regardless of where they were purchased. For example, a Ford Model T car bought in New York was the same as one bought in California, contributing to a more uniform material culture across the country. 2. Mass Marketing: The emergence of mass marketing techniques, such as radio advertising and national magazines, allowed companies to promote their products to a national audience. This meant that people across the country were exposed to the same advertising messages and cultural influences, leading to a more standardized consumer culture. 3. Popular Culture: The 1920s saw the emergence of a national popular culture that was spread through new forms of media and entertainment. For example, the rise of radio broadcasting meant that people across the country could listen to the same music and programs, while the popularity of Hollywood movies meant that people were exposed to the same films and stars. 4. Urbanization and Migration: The 1920s also saw significant urbanization and migration from rural areas to cities. This meant that people from different regions and backgrounds were increasingly living in close proximity to each other, leading to a blending of regional cultures and the creation of a more unified urban culture. Overall, the combination of mass production, mass marketing, and the rise of popular culture during the 1920s helped to homogenize regional and local subcultures in the United States, leading to a more uniform national culture. 52) What factors account for the "conservative counterattack" of the 1920s? What forms did it take? What was its most significant success? Answer: The "conservative counterattack" of the 1920s can be attributed to several factors: 1. Reaction to Social Change: The 1920s was a period of significant social change, including the rise of urbanization, changing gender roles, and increased cultural liberalism. Many conservatives felt that these changes were eroding traditional values and sought to push back against them. 2. Fear of Communism: The 1917 Russian Revolution and the subsequent spread of communism in Europe led to a fear of communist influence in the United States. This fear was heightened by events like the 1919 Palmer Raids, which targeted suspected radicals, and the formation of the Communist Party USA in 1919. 3. Prohibition: The passage of the 18th Amendment in 1919, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcohol, was seen as a victory for conservative moral values. Prohibition was supported by many conservatives as a way to promote temperance and protect traditional family values. 4. Rural vs. Urban Divide: There was a growing divide between rural and urban areas in the United States during the 1920s. Many rural Americans felt that their way of life was being threatened by urbanization and modernization and sought to preserve their traditional values and customs. Forms of the conservative counterattack in the 1920s included: 1. Cultural Conservatism: This involved a push for traditional values in areas such as religion, family, and morality. Groups like the Ku Klux Klan saw a resurgence during this time, promoting white supremacy and traditional Christian values. 2. Political Conservatism: Politically, the 1920s saw a shift towards more conservative policies. The Republican Party, which had traditionally been more conservative, dominated national politics during this decade, with presidents like Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and Herbert Hoover. 3. Legislation: Conservatives were successful in passing legislation that promoted their values, such as the Immigration Act of 1924, which restricted immigration from certain countries and was seen as a way to preserve America's traditional cultural identity. The most significant success of the conservative counterattack in the 1920s was arguably the passage of Prohibition. While Prohibition was ultimately repealed in 1933, it was a major victory for conservatives at the time and reflected their influence in shaping national policy. 53) What political scandals occurred during the 1920s? Why were Americans so tolerant of these scandals? Answer: During the 1920s, several political scandals rocked the United States: 1. Teapot Dome Scandal (1921-1922): This was the most notorious scandal of the decade. It involved the secret leasing of federal oil reserves at Teapot Dome in Wyoming and two other locations in California to oil companies in exchange for bribes. The scandal implicated several high-ranking officials in the administration of President Warren G. Harding. 2. Veterans Bureau Scandal (1923): The Veterans Bureau was created to provide assistance to disabled veterans of World War I. However, it was plagued by corruption, with officials embezzling funds and taking kickbacks. 3. Ohio Gang: This was a group of politicians and businessmen from Ohio who were close associates of President Harding. Many of them were involved in various corrupt activities, contributing to the scandals of the era. 4. Others: Other scandals of the 1920s included the Daugherty Department of Justice Scandal, involving Attorney General Harry Daugherty, and the Wilbur J. Carr scandal, involving the Commissioner General of Immigration. Americans were relatively tolerant of these scandals for several reasons: 1. Economic Prosperity: The 1920s was a period of economic boom, with widespread prosperity and a focus on consumerism. Many Americans were more concerned with enjoying the benefits of this prosperity than with political scandals. 2. Trust in Institutions: Despite the scandals, many Americans still had trust in their political institutions. They believed that the system would ultimately correct itself and that the scandals were isolated incidents rather than indicative of systemic corruption. 3. Lack of Media Scrutiny: Compared to today, media coverage of political scandals was less intense in the 1920s. There was no 24-hour news cycle or social media, so information about scandals spread more slowly and was not as widely disseminated. 4. Partisanship: Political partisanship also played a role, with many Americans willing to overlook scandals involving politicians from their own party while condemning those from the opposing party. Overall, a combination of economic prosperity, trust in institutions, limited media scrutiny, and political partisanship contributed to Americans' tolerance of political scandals during the 1920s. Chapter 26: Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1929-1939 Multiple-Choice Questions 1) What was the most striking characteristic of the stock market in 1929? a. investors' obsession with speculation b. the downward trend of major stocks early in the year c. the government's desire to carefully regulate the market d. the fact that the majority of wage-earning Americans were so heavily involved in it e. its steady advancement through the decade, culminating in record levels in 1929 Answer: a 2) By 1932, what percentage of American workers were unemployed? a. 10 b. 12 c. 25 d. 33 e. 50 Answer: c 3) The social and economic effects of the Depression __________. a. affected only the wealthier classes b. hit the middle class especially hard c. lasted only a few months past 1929 d. were harsh only in the case of the lower classes e. came to light only gradually Answer: b 4) Hoover believed that unemployment relief __________. a. was justified by previous government policies b. would bring about dangerous inflation c. could promote domestic unrest d. should come from private charities e. would be a sign of weakness Answer: d 5) Which terms best describe Hoover's response to the Depression? a. restrained and cautious b. innovative and adaptive c. humanitarian and pragmatic d. socialistically radical e. bumbling and uncertain Answer: a 6) Roosevelt's Hundred Days banking legislation was designed to __________. a. support strong banks and eliminate the weaker ones b. decrease government regulation of U.S. banks c. allow the government to take over the banking system d. give bankers a place in his government e. merge smaller banks with larger ones Answer: a 7) The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was designed to __________. a. bring modernization and jobs to desolate areas of the rural upper South b. help support continued control of electrical power by private companies c. alienate troublesome conservationists in the president’s administration d. test the authority of the Supreme Court e. win votes in a largely Republican area of the country Answer: a 8) Which organization hired young men to clear land, plant trees, build bridges, and fish ponds? a. Tennessee Valley Authority b. National Recovery Administration c. Public Works Administration d. Works Progress Administration e. Civilian Conservation Corps Answer: e 9) During the Hundred Days, Roosevelt __________. a. proposed government ownership of major industries b. closed all the banks c. developed a welfare system to aid the aged, disabled, and unemployed d. attempted to pack the Supreme Court with judges sympathetic to his program e. canceled a session of Congress to give himself more time to gain support for his plans Answer: b 10) The National Recovery Administration sought to promote economic recovery by __________. a. reducing corporate taxes b. restoring competition c. experimenting with national economic planning d. implementing classical economic theory e. eliminating all taxes Answer: c 11) The National Recovery Administration experienced problems, including __________. a. the trade codes were too simple to achieve needed change b. the trade codes favored small businesses over larger competitors c. high wages led to management discontent d. companies could easily avoid the collective bargaining requirement e. the appeal for patriotic public support fell on deaf ears Answer: d 12) Which New Deal program did the Supreme Court declare unconstitutional? a. Commodity Credit Corporation b. Civilian Conservation Corps c. National Recovery Administration d. Tennessee Valley Authority e. Civil Works Administration Answer: c 13) Franklin D. Roosevelt and his advisers believed that a __________ of production would restore purchasing power to farmers. a. reduction b. increase c. redistribution d. expropriation e. monitoring Answer: a 14) By 1935, Roosevelt's severest critics were __________. a. members of the Supreme Court b. accusing him of being a socialist c. demanding more radical reforms d. accusing him of ignoring the rise of military dictatorships in Europe e. scolding him for not providing more aid to impoverished blacks Answer: c 15) Francis Townsend advocated that the federal government pay $200 each month to __________. a. all Americans over the age of 60 b. dispossessed farmers c. veterans of World War I d. widows with two or more children e. unemployed urban workers Answer: a 16) What was one criticism of the Social Security Act? a. Pension payments were too high and would break the federal budget. b. It included farmers and domestic servants who did not pay into the system. c. It undermined the independence and initiative of the poor. d. Social Security offered nothing to those already out of work. e. It would transfer much of the national wealth to a minority of the population. Answer: d 17) The National Labor Relations (Wagner) Act __________. a. guaranteed that all workers would be paid a nationally established minimum wage b. granted workers the right to organize and collectively bargain c. gave management the right to forbid the "closed shop” d. gave the president power to end strikes that threatened the nation's welfare e. did not help workers who were not already unionized Answer: b 18) The industrial union movement of the 1930s __________. a. sought to organize skilled workers in particular trades b. had long been championed by the American Federation of Labor c. was led by William Green d. was led by John L. Lewis and the UMW e. had been thriving for years before the Great Depression Answer: d 19) The sit-down strike __________. a. was first used against General Motors in 1936 b. was used only by the United Auto Workers c. proved ineffective against corporations d. was first used against Ford Motor Company e. was a time-tested technique from strikes in the 1920s Answer: a 20) Which individual was most responsible for promoting African American rights during the New Deal? a. Franklin D. Roosevelt b. John Collier c. Harry Hopkins d. Harold Ickes e. Mary McLeod-Bethune Answer: c 21) After 1937, the WPA denied employment to aliens, a decision that greatly affected __________. a. blacks b. Mexican Americans c. Asian Americans d. Indians e. sharecroppers Answer: b 22) The Indian Reorganization Act __________. a. supported sending youth to educational programs in nearby towns b. granted political dependency to Indian tribes c. encouraged a movement toward farming on tribal lands d. stressed tribal unity and autonomy e. reestablished the Indian Reservations, 47 years after the Dawes Act abolished them Answer: d 23) Despite the New Deal, __________ were the country's most impoverished citizens. a. African Americans b. Asian Americans c. Native Americans d. Mexican Americans e. "Okies" and "Arkies" Answer: c 24) Roosevelt's "court packing" proposal was __________. a. illegal b. an outrage to conservatives, but agreeable to liberals c. effectively blocked by judicial rulings d. a great strain on Roosevelt's relations with Congress e. successful at limiting the power of the Supreme Court Answer: d 25) In his second term, Roosevelt’s success was meager except for __________. a. the passage of a national health insurance program b. the passage of minimum wage and maximum hour legislation c. the passage of anti-lynching legislation d. a Democratic resurgence in the 1938 elections e. the emergence of a liberal congressional coalition that aided Roosevelt’s re-election campaign in 1942 Answer: b 26) Why did farmers during the Great Depression resort to such extreme measures as dumping fresh milk into the streets? a. Like many other Americans during the Great Depression, farmers fell victim to despair and lost hope in the future. b. The shipping industry had been so devastated by the Great Depression that farmers had no way to get their produce to market. c. Farmers hoped to create demand and drive up prices for their products. d. Due to widespread poverty among the American population, few families could afford to buy milk. e. The government had instituted milk rationing, which resulted in the overproduction of milk by dairy farmers. Answer: c 27) How did Americans respond to the bull market climate on the eve of the great crash in 1929? a. A general sense of caution about the ability of the market to continue to yield such fantastic dividends caused the market to falter. b. Average Americans tended not to invest in the market themselves, instead relying on professional stockbrokers to invest their savings. c. Many Americans looked to the government for guidance on how to invest in such a rapidly growing market. d. Wild optimism about the continued growth of the stock market led Americans to engage in speculative investing practices. e. Wary about the danger of "get rich quick" schemes, many Americans carefully guarded their life savings. Answer: d 28) How did the consumer goods revolution contribute to the great crash of 1929? a. Because of the availability of durable goods that did not need to be regularly replaced, production outpaced demand, which led to wide-scale layoffs. b. Mass produced consumer goods were of such poor quality that people eventually stopped purchasing them and industry began to falter. c. The consumer goods revolution contributed to a lack of confidence in the strength of the American economic system. d. The consumer goods revolution led to an increase in home construction that eventually crashed due to overproduction. e. Beneficiaries of the consumer goods revolution did not invest their money in the stock exchange. Answer: a 29) How did the Great Depression affect Americans psychologically? a. The loss of savings and employment led many Americans to abandon their faith in traditional forms of religion. b. Unemployment and poverty undermined people's sense of self-worth and caused many to despair. c. Most men either committed suicide or abandoned their families because they were so devastated that they could not provide for them. d. Middle- and upper-class people had more emotional resources and fared better than poor people. e. Hunger and poverty made Americans unable to think properly and make good decisions, leading to divorce and crime. Answer: b 30) What effect did the Great Depression have on immigration to the United States? a. The rate of immigration to the United States remained constant during the Great Depression. b. More immigrants came to the United States at this time due to the availability of low-skilled, hard-labor jobs. c. Progressives urged that legislation be passed restricting immigration and making it more difficult for immigrants to become citizens. d. Conservatives supported immigration reform, since immigrants tended to take jobs that Americans were too proud to take. e. It effectively reversed the flow, with hundreds of thousands being deported. Answer: e 31) How did the Great Depression benefit the Democrats? a. The handling of the Depression by Democrats was universally popular and led to a short period of Democratic control of the Congress. b. The success of New Deal programs led the public to ignore critics, such as Huey Long. c. FDR and Democratic lawmakers made sweeping changes to the financial sector, including nationalizing the banking system. d. Because the Republicans had been unable to prevent the Depression, Democrats returned to power. e. Initially Democrats and Republicans formed a coalition that helped push through New Deal programs. Answer: d 32) How might FDR's personal background have prepared him to meet the challenges of the Great Depression? a. Since he was from a privileged background, he did not personally suffer financial hardship, which left him free to address the country's crisis. b. His service as assistant secretary of the Navy under Wilson prepared him to balance foreign and domestic affairs during the Great Depression. c. His relationship to Theodore Roosevelt gave him a reputation as a conservationist and powerful Republican leader. d. His bout with polio gave him personal experience of suffering and made him more sensitive to the downtrodden of society. e. His Ivy League education made him sensitive to the needs of wealthy American businessmen during the Great Depression. Answer: d 33) Which of FDR's actions ended the immediate financial crisis of the 1930s? a. FDR established the Tennessee Valley Authority and created thousands of new jobs. b. Roosevelt's Works Progress Administration spent nearly $5 billion in emergency government relief. c. He worked with powerful European nations to advance American agricultural trade. d. Using a calm and fatherly tone, he soothed the public's fears during his weekly fireside chats. e. He took control of the nation's banks, thereby restoring the public's confidence in the banking system. Answer: e 34) How did agencies created during the Hundred Days affect the Great Depression? a. They attempted to relieve the suffering of Americans by giving government-subsidized loans at very low rates. b. Agencies such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Civilian Conservation Corps succeeded in getting most Americans back to work. c. Their main effect was to end economic stagnation by getting many people back to work. d. They strengthened all the failing banks of the country, restoring Americans' confidence in banking. e. Actually they did little to affect the Great Depression, but they were perceived to be effective by the public. Answer: c 35) What caused the National Recovery Administration ultimately to fail? a. It did not address business owners' goals of stabilizing production and raising prices. b. It compelled all companies to join, whether they wanted to or not. c. In the final analysis, very few industries decided to enroll in the NRA. d. It proved overly cumbersome, and its rules favored big businesses over small businesses and labor. e. It did not attempt to address labor leaders' goals of ensuring maximum working hours and establishing minimum wage. Answer: d 36) How did the Roosevelt administration finally deal with the problem of agricultural overproduction? a. It used strategies that aided small farming operations more than large farming operations. b. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration convinced farmers to stop destroying their crops. c. It found new international markets for surplus American crops. d. It set production limits for leading crops and paid farmers subsidies. e. It increased demand by giving away surplus foods to the starving urban poor. Answer: d 37) Why was the New Deal criticized during the early years of the Great Depression? a. The New Deal was criticized as tending to benefit large businesses and farms, leaving the poor and elderly unaided. b. Some felt that its programs favored minorities and immigrants, leaving white middle-class Americans without aid. c. Policies of the Agricultural Adjustment Administration were criticized for hampering agricultural production and leading to food shortages. d. Critics disagreed with the New Deal's attempts to institute national health insurance. e. Roosevelt and his policies were criticized for not being fiscally conservative. Answer: a 38) How did Huey Long's "Share the Wealth" movement of 1935 reflect on the U.S. government's efforts to address the Great Depression? a. The fact that Americans were swayed by Huey Long's flamboyant style suggests that they had become disillusioned with FDR's leadership. b. The "Share the Wealth" movement complemented the New Deal's programs, which similarly sought to increase the standard of living of all Americans. c. It suggested that a large number of people felt that they were not benefiting from the New Deal. d. Rising frustration with the slow pace of recovery resulted in a grassroots revival of fundamentalist Christianity. e. The emergence of viable third-party candidates suggests that neither Democrats nor Republicans were capable of ending the Great Depression. Answer: c 39) What was the primary motivation for the passage of the Social Security Act? a. a belief that people ought to help themselves and to take responsibility for their own economic situations b. a desire to fend off Republican challenges to Democratic policies and ensure FDR would be reelected c. a belief that all American citizens ought to equally enjoy the fruits of industrial society d. general fear that radical elements within American society would gain power if discontent among the poor, elderly, and dispossessed were not remedied e. a sense of duty to ensure that all of America's citizens—especially the elderly, handicapped, and unemployed—would be adequately provided for Answer: e 40) How did the New Deal affect American industrial workers? a. It gave them jobs regardless of race or gender. b. It provided the means for them to organize and bargain for benefits. c. It allowed skilled workers to unionize, but left unskilled workers unrepresented. d. It left them at the mercies of businesses that were supported by the government. e. It squeezed out women and minorities to give jobs to white men. Answer: b 41) How did women and minorities benefit from the organization of labor? a. They were given a higher percentage of jobs because the government recognized that they had been traditionally undervalued. b. Their wages increased to equal those of white men because the government recognized that they had been traditionally underpaid. c. They were granted education and agricultural incentives to remove them from the workplace and direct competition with white men. d. Unskilled labor, which included many women and minorities, was represented along with skilled labor by the CIO. e. Membership in the AFL opened for women and minorities as unions adopted more enlightened policies of inclusion. Answer: d 42) The Great Depression affected racial minorities more severely than other groups because racial minorities __________. a. were the first to be fired and last to be hired b. had more heavily speculated in the stock market c. had invested more in small, failing banks d. were excluded from recognition by the government in the New Deal plans e. were generally poor at the start of the Great Depression, so they sank even further into poverty and did not know how to cope with it Answer: a 43) What role did FDR play in the shifting of African American political affiliation from the Republican party to the Democratic party? a. He designed the TVA and NRA specifically to benefit African Americans. b. He appointed African Americans to high-ranking positions and criticized racial discrimination. c. He was the first president to appoint African Americans to governmental positions. d. He used the New Deal to create legislation to end segregation in the South. e. His New Deal provided jobs and job security to most African Americans. Answer: b 44) FDR attempted to "pack" the Supreme Court because he __________. a. knew opposing the Supreme Court would unite his disparate Democratic party b. knew opposing the Supreme Court would win him bipartisan support and national approval c. saw the Supreme Court's interference with the New Deal as unconstitutional and sought to remedy it d. wanted to remove the final and most powerful threat to his New Deal by replacing judges who opposed its programs e. wanted to create a Democratic Supreme Court to ensure his legacy as the president who saved America Answer: d 45) How did the reform programs created during the New Deal eventually lead to its demise? a. They actually did very little to change the U.S. economic situation. b. They required massive government spending and could not be sustained. c. They were unpopular with Republicans who took control of Congress. d. They were unpopular with the general public who began to speak out. e. The progressive programs (like Social Security) could not outlast political changes. Answer: b 46) How did FDR's attitude toward planned deficits affect the success of the New Deal's efforts to rescue the economy? a. He believed too greatly in planned deficits, spending too much of the country's reserves to rescue the economy. b. He failed to see the importance of planned deficits, which could have stopped the Great Depression before it even started. c. He relied too greatly on planned deficits, inhibiting his ability to truly rescue the U.S. economy. d. He tried to avoid planned deficits, seeking a balanced budget when he ought to have spent more. e. He avoided planned deficits, spending too much on his New Deal programs and nearly bankrupting the United States. Answer: d 47) What was the major political legacy of the New Deal? a. It restored the U.S. economy to its original pre-eminence in the world. b. It united Democrats and Republicans as no other crisis had before or since. c. It sought to create a coalition by reaching out to ethnic voters. d. It changed the political affiliations for most rural and urban voters. e. It created a unified Democratic party of rural southerners and urban westerners. Answer: c 48) How did the country's experience of World War I shape the national response to the Great Depression under FDR? a. The large-scale devastation and loss of human life during the War hardened the American people, which prepared them for the period of deprivation and suffering of the Great Depression. b. During the war years, the country had experienced general mobilization of the nation's resources in the service of a common goal, facilitating implementation of the New Deal, another form of general mobilization. c. Patriotism and selflessness surged during the American involvement in World War One, and this same spirit of selflessness permeated the Great Depression era, insulating Americans from fear and despair. d. The experience of fighting a common enemy during the war resulted in a general improvement of racial and ethnic relations; these relationships were then solidified during the Great Depression. e. American involvement in the First World War took a heavy toll on the economy, and during the decade preceding the great crash, the weakness of the economy set the stage for the Depression. Answer: b 49) How was American handling of the crises of World War One and the Great Depression similar? a. Wilson's initial stance of neutrality in the war was similar to Roosevelt's initial inactivity at the beginning of the Great Depression. b. Just as the government, big business, and labor formed a strong alliance to concentrate efforts to win the war, so did they join together to combat the effects of the Depression. c. Just as the war provided women and minorities with job opportunities, so did the Great Depression offer more unskilled, typically female and minority jobs. d. The United States handled both crises with political unity; members of both political parties set aside their differences to work together. e. The U.S. government took unprecedented control of business, banking, labor, and agriculture, although it had to deny civil liberties, to solve both crises. Answer: c 50) What has been the most significant long-range effect of the New Deal on American society? a. Since the New Deal, Americans have tended to resist large-scale governmental programs that seek directly to control aspects of economic and social life. b. The economic initiatives and programs instituted by FDR's administration during the New Deal have continued to enrich the U.S. economy to this day. c. Since the New Deal, presidents have continued to hold periodic "fireside chats" during which they communicate important policy matters to the American people. d. The immigration policies established during the New Deal continue to set quotas, insulating American-born workers from foreign-born competition. e. Certain key programs, such as Social Security, have become an integral part of American life, providing essential benefits to millions of Americans today. Answer: e Essay Questions 51) Analyze the causes of the Great Depression. What was the role of the stock market crash? Answer: The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s, was the most severe economic downturn in modern history. Several factors contributed to its onset: 1. Stock Market Crash: The stock market crash of October 1929, known as Black Tuesday, is often cited as the trigger for the Great Depression. The crash wiped out billions of dollars in wealth and shattered confidence in the economy. 2. Bank Failures: As a result of the stock market crash, many banks that had invested heavily in stocks lost their assets and failed. This led to a loss of savings for depositors and a decrease in confidence in the banking system. 3. Reduction in Purchasing Across the Board: The stock market crash and the subsequent economic downturn led to a reduction in consumer spending, as people were more cautious with their money. This reduction in demand for goods and services further exacerbated the economic downturn. 4. Reduction in Trade: The Great Depression was not confined to the United States; it had a global impact. Countries around the world faced a reduction in international trade, as each country tried to protect its own industries by imposing tariffs and other trade barriers. This reduction in trade further worsened the economic situation. 5. Drought and Agricultural Decline: In the early 1930s, the United States experienced a severe drought, which led to the Dust Bowl. This environmental disaster devastated agricultural production in the Midwest, leading to widespread poverty and unemployment in rural areas. 6. Government Policies: Some economists argue that government policies also played a role in prolonging the Great Depression. For example, the Federal Reserve's tight monetary policy, aimed at stabilizing the economy, may have actually worsened the situation by limiting the availability of credit. In summary, while the stock market crash of 1929 was a significant event that marked the beginning of the Great Depression, it was just one of several factors that contributed to the economic downturn. The combination of reduced consumer spending, bank failures, international trade restrictions, agricultural decline, and government policies all played a role in the severity and duration of the Great Depression. 52) What personal characteristics made Franklin Roosevelt better equipped than Herbert Hoover to handle the crisis of the Depression? Answer: Franklin D. Roosevelt was better equipped than Herbert Hoover to handle the crisis of the Great Depression due to several personal characteristics: 1. Leadership Style: Roosevelt had a more active and decisive leadership style compared to Hoover's more passive approach. Roosevelt was willing to experiment with new ideas and policies to address the economic crisis, while Hoover was more cautious and relied heavily on traditional approaches. 2. Communication Skills: Roosevelt was known for his excellent communication skills and his ability to connect with the American people. His fireside chats, radio broadcasts in which he explained his policies directly to the public, helped to build confidence and trust in his leadership during a time of uncertainty. 3. Political Experience: Roosevelt had extensive political experience, having served as governor of New York before becoming president. This experience gave him a better understanding of how to navigate the political landscape and work with Congress to pass legislation to address the economic crisis. 4. Flexibility and Adaptability: Roosevelt was flexible and willing to adapt his policies in response to changing circumstances. This allowed him to implement a series of programs known as the New Deal, which helped to provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression. 5. Empathy and Compassion: Roosevelt's personal experiences, including his struggle with polio, gave him a sense of empathy and compassion for those suffering during the Great Depression. This helped him to connect with the hardships faced by ordinary Americans and inspired confidence in his ability to lead the country through difficult times. Overall, Franklin D. Roosevelt's leadership style, communication skills, political experience, flexibility, and empathy made him better equipped than Herbert Hoover to handle the crisis of the Great Depression. 53) How did the Roosevelt administration deal with crises in banking, manufacturing, and agriculture? In which area did it have the most success? In which did it have the least? Why was it successful or not successful in these areas? Answer: The Roosevelt administration dealt with crises in banking, manufacturing, and agriculture through a series of programs and policies known as the New Deal. 1. Banking Crisis: The administration addressed the banking crisis with the Emergency Banking Act of 1933, which aimed to stabilize the banking system. Roosevelt declared a national "bank holiday" to prevent further bank runs and restore confidence in the banking system. The administration also implemented the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking, and created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to insure bank deposits, providing a safety net for depositors. 2. Manufacturing Crisis: To address the crisis in manufacturing, the Roosevelt administration implemented the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) in 1933. The NIRA established the National Recovery Administration (NRA), which sought to stabilize industrial production and prices through cooperation between government, industry, and labor. The NRA set codes of fair competition for industries and established minimum wages and maximum hours for workers. 3. Agricultural Crisis: The administration addressed the agricultural crisis with programs such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) of 1933. The AAA sought to raise agricultural prices by reducing surpluses. Farmers were paid to reduce production or take land out of cultivation. The administration also established the Farm Credit Administration (FCA) to provide farmers with access to credit. In terms of success, the Roosevelt administration had the most success in stabilizing the banking system. The Emergency Banking Act and the establishment of the FDIC helped restore confidence in the banking system and prevent further bank failures. The administration had less success in addressing the crisis in manufacturing. While the NRA initially had some success in stabilizing industrial production and prices, it was later ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1935. The administration also faced challenges in implementing the AAA, as some aspects of the program were controversial and faced resistance from farmers. Overall, the success of the Roosevelt administration's policies varied depending on the area. The administration was most successful in stabilizing the banking system, due in part to the swift action taken to address the crisis. In contrast, the administration faced more challenges in addressing the crises in manufacturing and agriculture, which were more complex and required longer-term solutions. 54) How did the New Deal affect organized labor throughout the decade of the 1930s? Answer: The New Deal had a significant impact on organized labor throughout the 1930s, leading to a resurgence of labor activism and the establishment of key labor rights and protections. Some of the key ways the New Deal affected organized labor include: 1. Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act): Enacted in 1935, the Wagner Act was a landmark piece of legislation that guaranteed workers the right to organize and join labor unions, engage in collective bargaining, and participate in strikes. It also established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce these rights and mediate labor disputes. The Wagner Act helped empower labor unions and led to a significant increase in union membership. 2. Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA): Passed in 1938, the FLSA established minimum wage, overtime pay, recordkeeping, and youth employment standards affecting full-time and part-time workers in the private sector and in federal, state, and local governments. This legislation helped improve working conditions and wages for many workers. 3. Public Works Programs: The New Deal's public works programs, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), provided employment for millions of workers and helped stimulate the economy during the Great Depression. These programs also supported the rights of workers to organize and collectively bargain for better wages and working conditions. 4. Social Security Act: While not directly related to organized labor, the Social Security Act of 1935 provided a safety net for workers by establishing a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children and the disabled. This act helped alleviate some of the economic insecurity faced by workers and their families. Overall, the New Deal had a positive impact on organized labor by strengthening the rights of workers to organize, bargain collectively, and improve their working conditions. It helped lay the foundation for the modern labor movement in the United States and led to lasting changes in labor laws and practices. Test Bank for American Stories: A History of the United States H. W. Brands, T. H. Breen, R. Hal Williams, Ariela J. Gross 9780205990801, 9780205960897, 9780205962020, 9780133794113