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Brinkley Chapter 25

american history

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310105410Growth of the Stock Marketthe prices/amount of trading increased rapidly, and brokerage firms began to offer easy credit
310105411Black Tuesdaystocks dropped so low that companies were practically worthless. the market then continued to decrease in value.
310105412Reasons for the Great Depression-lack of diversity in the economy -maldistribution of wealth -declining exports -unstable international debt structure
310105413Problems with the International Debt structureThe European countries that owed money to the United States didn't have enough money to pay it, so they took out more loans from United States banks.
310105414Where Historians Disagree on the Depression-business leaders: lack of business confidence -Hoover administration: international factors -New Dealers: under-consumption -timing -raising interest rates led to a contraction of currency
310105415Economic trends as the Depression continuesThere was serious deflation because people started hording money. Less money meant less purchasing power, which worsened the depression. Hoover was scared of going into debt, so even though he created lots of programs to help the depression, none worked, because he didn't commit enough money to any of them. He also tried raising taxes to increase government revenue, but this didn't work because no one had money.
310105416Unemployment trends during the Depressionmost people lost jobs to white men, except for black women, because no one wanted their jobs.
310105417The worldwide depressionAmerican banks called in loans in Austria and Germany, which created a panic in Central Europe. The Hawley-Smoot Tariff set the highest import duties in American history, shrinking global trade. Colonies saw decline in demand for their raw materials, which led to poverty and unemployment. Russia and China weren't affected because they were so isolated.
310105418Dust Bowlrecord drought from Texas to the Dakotas
310105419"Okies"people (mainly from Oklahoma) who were forced to flee their homes by the Dust Bowl
310105420Economic trends for African-Americanshit the hardest because they started with the least. African Americans in the South were mostly farmers. The jobs of black women were unrivaled.
310105421Scottsboro caseIn March 1931, nine black teenagers were taken off a freight train in Alabama and arrested for vagrancy and disorder. Two white women who had been riding the train claimed that they were abused even though there was no proof for it. However, all nine boys were convicted and eight of them were sentenced to death, until the Supreme Court overturned the ruling.
310105422International Labor Defensehelped the boys in the Scottsboro case
310105423Economics trends for Mexican-AmericansChicanos had the same status in the West as blacks had elsewhere. Mexican unemployment rose quickly, and many returned to Mexico. Relief programs excluded Mexicans.
310105424Japanese-American Citizens Leaguepromoted assimilation
310105425Economic trends for womenmany thought whatever jobs existed should be for men, but women's employment increased as the families needed the money, even though the professional opportunities declined
310105426Decline of consumerismpeople returned to their old practices of making things themselves as the currency in the country decreased
310105427"success ethic"people believed that they could work to control their own fate, and that poverty/unemployment were therefore personal failures
310105428Dale Carnegiefamous for writing a self-help book about how to win friends and influence people
310105429Farm Security Administrationcreated to help fund the relocation of farmers to better lands to grow stuff better, but it was mostly unsuccessful
310105430Tobacco Roadexposé of Southern poverty, later a long-running broadway play
310105431John Steinbeckwrote trials of workers/migrants in CA
310105432Escapism in the radioused as a distraction from the struggles of everyday life. primarily included westerns, adventure and spy stories, and soap operas
310105433Radio's impact on societydrew the nation together/reshaped social life
310105434Will Haysformer postmaster general who became the head of the Motion Picture Association, and was therefore responsible for censoring all films
310105435General trends in American cinemaexplored social questions, and offered a cheaper alternative of fun
310105436Gone with the Windpopular novel
310105437Life Magazinephoto journal with huge number of readers
310105444"Let Us Now Praise Famous Men"book focused on migrants and the rural poor
310105445"Grapes of Wrath"book focused on migrants
310105446Hoover's early actions to aid the economyvoluntary cooperation, and a committee for unemployment relief
310105447"voluntary cooperation"the idea that the private sector should be more involved and willing to help the government, through actions such as: keeping wages high and not laying off workers
310105448Hawley-Smoot Tariffhighest ever tariff. originally meant as just a tariff on imported farm goods, but grows to include much more.
310105449Agricultural Marketing Act/Farm Boardcreated in an attempt to have the government take more control. encouraged the government to buy surplus crops, and create national marketing cooperatives.
310105450"Hoovervilles"shanty towns
310105452Reconstruction Finance Corporationcreated to help big businesses such as banks and railroads, but it doesn't help enough. also supposed to offer relief to those who need it, and fund public works projects such as bridges and roads
310105453Farmer's Holiday AssociationFarmers led boycott movement by withholding crops in hopes of increasing prices
310105454"Bonus Army"WWI veterans were told that they would receive a $1000 bonus in 1945. many want their bonus now, as the economy tanks, and so many veterans march to Washington.
310105455election of 1932FDR defeats Hoover in an election where the depression is the main issue

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