Topic 6 Practice Quiz

According to this chart, what effect might worker insecurity during the Great Depression have had on labor union membership? a. Labor union membership increased after the Great Depression began. b. The Great Depression had minimal effect on labor union membership. c. Labor unions were unable to attract workers during the Great Depression. d. Many workers declined to join labor unions after the Great Depression.

a. Labor union membership increased after the Great Depression began.

The Indian Reorganization Act a. allowed Native Americans more control over their own affairs. b. forced Native Americans to sell their livestock due to soil erosion. c. encouraged Native Americans to participate in New Deal programs. d. immediately improved the standard of living for many Native Americans.

a. allowed Native Americans more control over their own affairs.

What were the effects of New Deal legislation on the role of the federal government? a. The federal government was less involved with citizens' daily lives. b. There were tighter restrictions on state and local governments. c. The government gained more power and a greater role in the lives of individuals. d. The federal government became less involved with national revenue policies.

c. The government gained more power and a greater role in the lives of individuals.

"During the Depression, when the spirit of the people is lower than at any other time, it is a splendid thing that for just 15 cents an American can... look at the smiling face of a baby and forget his troubles."—Franklin Delano Roosevelt President Roosevelt was most likely making a reference to a. radio shows. b. comic books. c. big band music. d. motion pictures.

d. motion pictures.

This photo illustrates the bank failures that occurred in the early 1930s because a. customers withdrew their money from the banks all at once. b. the government refused to intervene in the banks' dealings. c. too many people opened accounts without making deposits. d. they overextended credit to people who could not repay the debt.

a. customers withdrew their money from the banks all at once.

"The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and to try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something!"—Franklin D. Roosevelt, speech at Oglethorpe University, May 22, 1932 What actions did Roosevelt take during the first year of his presidency that show the sentiment expressed in this quote? a. President Roosevelt asked his wife, Eleanor, to gather information about the conditions faced by ordinary Americans. b. President Roosevelt acted quickly and proposed a number of major relief and reform bills in his first Hundred Days in office. c. President Roosevelt reassured Americans and explained his policies through his "fireside chat" radio broadcasts. d. President Roosevelt reached out to leaders of European nations to collaborate in restoring the global banking system.

b. President Roosevelt acted quickly and proposed a number of major relief and reform bills in his first Hundred Days in office.

According to this graph, by approximately what percentage did the number of banks decline from 1926 to 1940? a. 15 b. 35 c. 55 d. 75

c. 55

"We had been poor, but we knew every night there was a bed there, and this was our room. . . . But that all of a sudden changed. When you're small, you can't figure these things out. You know something's not right and you don't like it, but you don't . . . let that get you down. You sort of just continue to move."—Cesar Chavez In what way does Chavez's statement reflect the experience of many American during the Depression? a. Many rural farmers lost their homes. b. Many wealthy investors lost their fortunes. c. Many families relied on soup kitchens to feel them. d. Many Mexican Americans were forced to return to Mexico.

a. Many rural farmers lost their homes.

How did Social Security differ in its goals from the Public Works Administration (PWA)? a. Social Security provided a long-term safety net for the elderly, rather than temporary job relief. b. Social Security provided temporary job relief, rather than a long-term safety net for the elderly. c. Social Security helped to conserve the nation's parks, rather than focusing only on large projects. d. Social Security focused mainly on large building projects, rather than smaller projects geared at conserving the nation's parks.

a. Social Security provided a long-term safety net for the elderly, rather than temporary job relief.

In what ways did prominent women make important social and political contributions during the New Deal? a. They ended gender discrimination in the workplace. b. They were not eligible to work for the Civilian Conservation Corps. c. Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of First Lady; Frances Perkins introduced social reform. d. Domestic workers were exempted from Social Security and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

c. Eleanor Roosevelt transformed the role of First Lady; Frances Perkins introduced social reform.

What approach did Hoover initially take to end the Great Depression? a. allowing businesses more freedom from regulation b. using federal resources to stimulate the economy c. appealing to the wealthy to volunteer time and money d. raising taxes, interest rates, and the amount of money in circulation

c. appealing to the wealthy to volunteer time and money

The earliest factor to contribute to the Great Depression was a. uneven distribution of personal wealth in the 1920s. b. the overextension of credit to consumers. c. economic challenges in the farming industry. d. the sudden increase in postwar manufacturing.

c. economic challenges in the farming industry.

What does this cartoon suggest about FDR's plan to expand the Supreme Court? a. FDR is working with Congress to ensure the support of both political parties. b. The plan will encourage the Court to independently review New Deal legislation. c. FDR is willing to appoint conservative and liberal justices to the Court. d. The plan will allow FDR to choose justices who agree with New Deal legislation.

d. The plan will allow FDR to choose justices who agree with New Deal legislation.

What was the purpose of photographs such as this? a. to showcase the Farm Security Administration b. to illustrate advanced photographic techniques c. to show that the New Deal was not helping to ease poverty d. to raise awareness about the plight of American farmers

d. to raise awareness about the plight of American farmers

According to the information in the graph, which country had the smallest percent change in unemployment rate between 1929 and 1932? a. Canada b. Germany c. Norway d. Poland

d. Poland

"It is hereby declared to be the policy of Congress to remove obstructions to the free flow of interstate and foreign commerce which tend to diminish the amount thereof; and to provide for the general welfare by promoting the organization of industry for the purpose of cooperative action among trade groups, to induce and maintain united action of labor and management under adequate governmental sanctions and supervision, to eliminate unfair competitive practices, to promote the fullest possible utilization of the present productive capacity of industries, to avoid undue restriction of production (except as may be temporarily required), to increase the consumption of Industrial and agricultural products by increasing purchasing power, to reduce and relieve unemployment, to improve standards of labor, and otherwise to rehabilitate industry and to conserve natural resources."—Section 1, National Industrial Recovery Act, 1933 The National Industrial Recovery Act a. developed codes of fair competition to regulate industries. b. insured bank loans used for building and repairing homes. c. built bridges, dams, power plants, and government buildings. d. granted federal funds to state and local agencies to help the unemployed.

a. developed codes of fair competition to regulate industries.

The dairy farmers in this photograph are pouring out their milk into the streets to protest a. low prices for milk. b. poor treatment of workers. c. insufficient demand for milk. d. government regulation of the milk industry.

a. low prices for milk.

The Works Progress Administration encouraged the arts by hiring artists to a. paint murals on public buildings. b. photograph the plight of rural farmers. c. draw cartoons for the nation's newspapers. d. criticize Soviet art.

a. paint murals on public buildings.

This graph shows minimum wage and real minimum wage (the purchasing power of minimum wage adjusted for inflation) in 2013 dollars. According to the graph, in what year was the purchasing power of the minimum wage highest in 2013 dollars? a. 1938 b. 1966 c. 1988 d. 2009

b. 1966

In 1932, referring to the Bonus Army, General Douglas MacArthur said, "They had come to the conclusion, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that they were about to take over . . . direct control of the government. . . . It is my opinion that had the president let it go on another week the institutions of our government would have been very severely threatened." How did MacArthur's view contribute to Herbert Hoover failure to win the presidency the following November? a. Americans blamed Hoover for not allowing MacArthur to use necessary force against the protestors. b. Americans blamed Hoover for what many saw as MacArthur's excessive use of force. c. Americans blamed Hoover for allowing generals Eisenhower and Patton to follow MacArthur's example in using force. d. Americans blamed Hoover for not allowing MacArthur to use the Army to solve a political problem.

b. Americans blamed Hoover for what many saw as MacArthur's excessive use of force.

According to this chart, which country's tariff rate was most impacted by the Hawley-Smoot Tariff? a. Italy b. Australia c. Great Britain d. the Netherlands

b. Australia

What event from 1929 does this photo depict? a. Blue Monday b. Black Tuesday c. Orange Wednesday d. Black Friday

b. Black Tuesday

How was the economic struggle during the Great Depression different for rural Americans than for those who lived in cities? a. Rural Americans often had to leave their homes to find jobs. b. Environmental disasters worsened the struggles for rural Americans. c. Rural Americans did not have the resources available in urban areas. d. Bank failures had a harsher effect on rural Americans than urban Americans.

b. Environmental disasters worsened the struggles for rural Americans.

"When we open the door, swirling whirlwinds of soil beat against us unmercifully, and we are glad to go back inside and sit choking in the dirt. We couldn't see the streetlight just in front of the house.One morning, early, I went out during a lull, and when I started to return I couldn't see the house. I knew the direction, so I kept on coming, and was quite close before I could even see the outline. It sure made me feel funny."—"Grace," Dust Bowl survivor, 1935 What can you infer from this account about the main economic effect of the Dust Bowl on the Great Plains region? a. It affected the development of transportation networks in the Great Plains region. b. It affected the ability to produce profitable crops in the Great Plains region. c. It affected the health of the people living in the Great Plains region. d. It affected the social well being of communities in the Great Plains region.

b. It affected the ability to produce profitable crops in the Great Plains region.

Farmers suffered financial losses during the early years of the Depression. With which viewpoint about government aid to farmers does the cartoonist agree? a. The government should offer some financial support to farmers. b. It's not appropriate for the government to give direct aid to farmers. c. It's not appropriate to increase taxes on farmers during a depression. d. The government should pay for farmers to increase their crop yields.

b. It's not appropriate for the government to give direct aid to farmers.

According to the map, a significant number of migrants who headed to California to escape the Dust Bowl came from a. Colorado. b. Kansas. c. Nebraska. d. South Dakota.

b. Kansas.

"My most immediate concern is in carrying out the purposes of the great work program just enacted by the Congress. Its first objective is to put men and women now on the relief rolls to work and, incidentally, to assist materially in our already unmistakable march toward recovery... We must begin now to make provision for the future. That is why our social security program is an important part of the complete picture. It proposes, by means of old age pensions, to help those who have reached the age of retirement to give up their jobs and thus give to the younger generation greater opportunities for work and to give to all a feeling of security as they look toward old age. Provisions for social security, however, are protections for the future. Our responsibility for the immediate necessities of the unemployed has been met by the Congress through the most comprehensive work plan in the history of the Nation. Our problem is to put to work three and one-half million employable persons now on the relief rolls. It is a problem quite as much for private industry as for the government."—Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fireside Chat, April 28, 1935 What connection did President Roosevelt draw between social security and unemployment? a. President Roosevelt argued that the social security program only related to future welfare and had no connection to unemployment. b. President Roosevelt stated that social security would ease unemployment by encouraging older workers to retire and opening up jobs for younger workers. c. President Roosevelt explained that social security benefits are expensive and that this cost would drive up the unemployment rate. d. President Roosevelt argued that social security might increase or decrease unemployment so he also proposed a comprehensive work plan.

b. President Roosevelt stated that social security would ease unemployment by encouraging older workers to retire and opening up jobs for younger workers.

Frances Perkins, the first woman to be appointed to a presidential Cabinet position, played a large role in establishing a. increased home ownership. b. Social Security. c. a reduction in gender discrimination. d. a reduction in racial discrimination.

b. Social Security.

How does this photo of the Triborough Bridge (now called the Robert F. Kennedy Bridge) exemplify the goals of the Public Works Administration? a. The PWA sought to put unemployed artists to work. b. The PWA sought to build infrastructure that would be used for years to come. c. The PWA sought to improve the nation's currency supply. d. The PWA gave direct relief to many unemployed families.

b. The PWA sought to build infrastructure that would be used for years to come.

Which of the following could best be considered a positive result of the Dust Bowl? a. Large farmers bought repossessed farms in great numbers. b. The federal government funded improvements in infrastructure. c. Thousands of people moved westward to find better opportunities. d. New types of crops were introduced that could withstand the conditions.

b. The federal government funded improvements in infrastructure.

Murals commissioned during the New Deal still exist in public buildings today. Which program appropriated money for these murals? a. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) b. Works Progress Administration (WPA) c. Social Security Administration (SSA) d. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

b. Works Progress Administration (WPA)

"We are the leading democracy of the world and as such must prove to the world that democracy is possible and capable of living up to the principles upon which it was founded. The eyes of the world are upon us, and often we find they are not too friendly eyes."—Eleanor Roosevelt, November 22, 1938 When Eleanor Roosevelt referred to "living up to the principles upon which it was founded," she most likely meant a. helping all Americans to become prosperous. b. achieving equal rights for all racial groups. c. keeping the scope of the federal government limited. d. allowing organized labor.

b. achieving equal rights for all racial groups.

The auto workers who participated in the 1936-37 strike at General Motors were concerned about their safety but continued to protest the company's refusal to a. raise their wages. b. recognize their union. c. allow collective bargaining. d. guarantee them a full work week.

b. recognize their union.

Which New Deal program was founded with the primary goal of creating jobs for young men? a. the Tennessee Valley Authority b. the Civilian Conservation Corps c. the Agricultural Adjustment Act d. the National Recovery Administration

b. the Civilian Conservation Corps

According to this map, which region of the United States was the least affected by the Great Depression overall? a. the Midwest b. the East Coast c. the West Coast d. the Great Plains

b. the East Coast

"It has taken the rapid industrialization of the last few decades, with its mass-production methods, to teach us that a man might become a victim of circumstances far beyond his control, and finally it took a depression to dramatize for us the appalling insecurity of the great mass of the population, and to stimulate interest in social insurance in the United States. We have come to learn that the large majority of our citizens must have protection against the loss of income due to unemployment, old age, death of the breadwinners and disabling accident and illness, not only on humanitarian grounds, but in the interest of our National welfare. If we are to maintain a healthy economy and thriving production, we need to maintain the standard of living of the lower income groups in our population who constitute 90 per cent of our purchasing power."—Frances Perkins, National Radio Address delivered February 25, 1935 In the speech above, Frances Perkins is discussing the benefits of which New Deal program? a. the Wagner Act b. the Social Security Act c. the Works Progress Administration d. the National Recovery Administration

b. the Social Security Act

"While we sympathize with the Serbian or the Russian, with the Jew in Germany or the Christian in Russia, the major portion of our sympathy is extended to our dispossessed farmer, our disconsolate laborers who are being crushed at this moment while the spirit of internationalism runs rampant in the corridors of the Capitol, hoping to participate in setting the world aright while chaos clamors at our doors." —Father Charles Coughlin This quote best reflects Father Coughlin's point of view that a. the United States ought to send aid to other countries. b. the United States was not doing enough to help its own citizens. c. government leaders were unfairly treating farmers without provocation. d. government leaders were using capitalist ideals to handle international affairs.

b. the United States was not doing enough to help its own citizens.

"By adherence to the principles of decentralized self-government, ordered liberty, equal opportunity, and freedom to the individual, our American experiment in human welfare has yielded a degree of well-being unparalleled in all the world. It has come nearer to the abolition of poverty, to the abolition of fear of want, than humanity has ever reached before."—Herbert Hoover, campaign speech, 1928 In his campaign speech, President Hoover advocated a. the necessity of isolationism. b. the deregulation of business. c. the importance of volunteering. d. the spirit of global independence.

b. the deregulation of business.

"While some economists argue that full employment can be restored if wages are allowed to fall to lower levels, Keynesians maintain that employers will not employ workers to produce goods that cannot be sold. Because they believe unemployment results from an insufficient demand for goods and services, Keynesianism is considered a "demand-side" theory that focuses on short-run economic fluctuations. Keynes argued that investment, which responds to variations in the interest rate and to expectations about the future, is the dynamic factor determining the level of economic activity. He also maintained that deliberate government action could foster full employment. Keynesian economists claim that the government can directly influence the demand for goods and services by altering tax policies and public expenditures." —Encyclopædia Britannica John Maynard Keynes argued that the best way to lower unemployment is to a. increase demand for goods and services by cutting government costs. b. allow the market to set interest rates for loans to businesses. c. increase government spending in order to increase demand for goods and services. d. allow interest rates to increase in order to lower unemployment rates.

c. increase government spending in order to increase demand for goods and services.

This drawing of President Roosevelt implies that he a. does not sympathize with the common man's plight. b. does not understand the great task that is ahead of him. c. is capable of leading the U.S. through the Great Depression. d. is unsure of the best plan of action to end the Great Depression.

c. is capable of leading the U.S. through the Great Depression.

The general attitude of the public leading up to the Black Tuesday was that a. a sense of economic unity was needed to keep investors optimistic. b. the events leading to the stock market crash were completely unknown. c. no one believed that the warning signs would result in a crash in the stock market. d. the stock market crash was predicted in advance but nothing was done to prevent it.

c. no one believed that the warning signs would result in a crash in the stock market.

According to the economist John Maynard Keynes, the Great Depression could have been avoided if a. American industries had been wiser in handling surpluses. b. free markets had been allowed to flourish without oversight. c. the government had taken a larger role in reducing unemployment. d. the Federal Reserve had not raised the amount of money in circulation.

c. the government had taken a larger role in reducing unemployment.

"God invited us all to come and eat and drink all we wanted. He smiled on our land and we grew crops of plenty to eat and wear. . . . [But then] Rockefeller, Morgan, and their crowd stepped up and took enough for 120,000,000 people and left only enough for 5,000,000 for all the other 125,000,000 to eat. And so the millions must go hungry and without those good things God gave us unless we call on them to put some of it back."—Huey Long radio broadcast, 1934 In this broadcast, Long opposes the New Deal because he believes that the solution to poverty is a. to return to the days of Rockefeller and J. P. Morgan. b. to create a more powerful federal government. c. to redistribute income that has become concentrated in the hands of the wealthy. d. to allow riches to "trickle down" from the wealthy to the poor.

c. to redistribute income that has become concentrated in the hands of the wealthy.

"Hand in hand with this we must frankly recognize the overbalance of population in our industrial centers and, by engaging on a national scale in a redistribution, endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land. The task can be helped by definite efforts to raise the values of agricultural products and with this the power to purchase the output of our cities. It can be helped by preventing realistically the tragedy of the growing loss through foreclosure of our small homes and our farms. It can be helped by insistence that the Federal, State, and local governments act forthwith on the demand that their cost be drastically reduced. There are many ways in which it can be helped, but it can never be helped merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly."—Franklin Delano Roosevelt, first inaugural address, 1933 What is President Roosevelt's message in this excerpt from his inauguration speech? a. Raising the prices of crops will result in a beneficial trickle-down effect. b. The New Deal's programs will encourage more people to move to cities. c. The free market will solve the problems of the farming industry. d. Action must be taken to help farmers and people living in rural areas.

d. Action must be taken to help farmers and people living in rural areas.