Pablo Reina­Gonzalez Mr Kann 2/6/16 APUSH Unit 13 Notes Pt. 1 ●
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The Great Crash (pg. 668) ○ In Feb. 1928 stock prices rose. ■ With temporary lapses ○ Between May 1928 and September 1929, stock prices rose by 40%. ■ Trading rose from 2­3 million to 5 million. ● Later rose to 10­12 million. ○ In autumn of 1929 the great bull market began to fall apart. ■ On October 29th, ​
“Black Tuesday”, ​
all efforts to save the market died. ● Some people thought that this was the cause of the great depression. ● Company stock was virtually worthless. Causes of the Great Depression (pg. 668­670) ○ The great depression astonished economic historians. ■ It was longer than any healthy economic recession, which is usually present in capitalist economies. ■ The fact that it was so severe. ○ A number of factors are attributed to its origins. ■ A lack of diversification in the US economy. ● The economy depended on basic industries to survive. ○ Automobiles, etc. ○ Expenditures in construction fell dramatically. ■ A second factor was the maldistribution of purchasing power and a weakness in consumer demand. ● Demand was not keeping up with supply. ○ Factories were producing more products than the public needed, or that could be sold. ■ A third major problem was the credit structure of the economy. ● Farmers were deeply in debt. ○ They defaulted on loans for their property, and affected their banks in a very big way. ■ When the stock market crashed, banks suffered blows which they could not recover from. ■ A fourth, was America's position in international trade ● In the 1920’s, European demand for American products declined. ○ Europe was becoming more productive. ○ Other European countries were having financial difficulties and could not afford to purchase American goods. ○ European nations owed large amounts of money to the US after WW1. ■ They were debts too big to pay with their shattered economies. ■ The American government refused to reduce the debt. ● European countries found it too difficult to borrow money from America. ○ America had large protective tariffs that made it harder for European countries to sell their goods. ■ The depression spread to Europe because of this. ●
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● It grew worse in the US. Progress of the Depression (pg. 670­672) ○ The depression wasn’t caused by the market crash, but it it did trigger a chain of events which exposed longstanding weaknesses in the American economy. ■ A collapse of the banking system followed the crash. ● Most either closed, or they went bankrupt. ○ The total money supply fell by more than one third. ■ Some say that there wouldn’t have been a depression if the Federal Reserve had acted more responsibly. ■ The American gross national product fell to 76.4 billion from 104 billion dollars. ○ 25% of the American population was unemployed. Unemployment and Relief (pg. 672­674) ○ The suffering extended into every area of society. ■ In the industrial Northeast and Midwest, cities were becoming virtually paralyzed by unemployment. ● There was an unemployment rate of 50% in Cleveland, Ohio in 1932. ○ Workers were ashamed of unemployment. ■ Families were relying progressively on state and local relief systems. ● Salvation Army Kitchens became very popular. ○ Many young people lived as nomads, traveling from city to city in the US. ■ 2 million people. ■ These and the like ate scrap food from the trash. ○ The Great Plains was suffering from a catastrophic natural disaster. ■ One of the worst droughts in the history of the nation. ● Beginning in 1930, a large area of the nation, which came to be known as “the Dust Bowl”, ​
stretching from Texas to the Dakotas began to experience a heavy decline in rainfall. ○ There was also an increase in heat. ■ Farms became desserts because of this. ● Temperatures averaged to 100 degrees. ○ Dust storms, or ​
“black blizzards”, swept across the area. ○ The agricultural market was inactive for a long period of time. ○ Families in the dust bowl were known as ​
“Okies”. ■ There was an increase of deaths due to starvation. African­Americans and the Depression (pg. 674­676) ○ The depression was devastating for African­Americans. ■ The decline in the prices of cotton and other staple crops fell, and left some without an income. ● They experienced malnutrition, unemployment, homelessness, and disease. ● Poor whites believed that they had first dibs on any job. ○ These were usually service jobs, which black people had formerly occupied. ■
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Whites in the South demanded that all blacks be laid off, so they could have work. ● In Atlanta, 1930, there was a group called the Black Shirts ​
who organized a campaign with the slogan of “​
No Jobs for Niggers Until Every WHite Man Has a Job!​
”. ○ Intimidation tactics were used to drive blacks from jobs. ■ Many African­American, around 400,000, left the South for the North. Because there was less discrimination. ○ Patterns of segregation and disenfranchisement survived the depression. ○ In Alabama, nine black boys were arrested for vagrancy in a freight train and convicted of raping two white girls who were in the train with them. ■ There was a large amount of evidence against this, but the girls did not testify against it in fear of being arrested themselves. ● All nine of the ​
“Scottsboro boys”​
were sentenced to death. ○ The Supreme court overturned this decision a year later. ■ The ​
International Labor Defense, ​
a communist organization came to the defense of the youths. ● The NAACP did as well. ○ One of the boys did not leave prison until 1950. ○ The NAACP attempted to involve blacks in labor movements. Mexican American in Depression America (pg. 676) ○ Mexicans formed several jobs in the West. ■ Many were small farmers harvesting crops. ■ Most lived in Western urban areas. ● Unskilled labor force. ○ There was such a high rate of unemployment in the US that most had to leave. ○ There was a large amount of discrimination against hispanics. ■ Mexicans were deprived of rights given to whites. ● They had no access to education. ○ Organized resistance took place on the Mexican’s behalf. ■ More migrated to Western cities. Asian Americans in Hard Times (pg. 676­677) ○ Living conditions for Asians were hard in Asian populated cities such as LA. ■ Most were unskilled workers. ● Many of them lost their jobs to white American who were desperate for jobs . ● Farm workers suffered from increasing competition for low paying jobs. ● Japanese businessmen wanted to overcome obstacles by changing Nisei. ○ Chinese American workers owned restaurants and laundromats. Women in the Workplace in the Great Depression (pg. 677­678) ○ There was a popular Disapproval of Women’s employment. ■
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The economic crisis strengthened belief of woman’s proper place in the domestic sphere. ● Women employment increased by 20% after the great depression. ○ Professional job opportunities for women declined as men changed professions. ○ Feminists experienced frustration during the depression in the South. ○ After the 1920’s less people had economic hardships. Depression Families (pg. 678) ○ America retreated from consumerism. ■ Many families chose to retreat from consumer patterns. ○ Women did more in house chores. ■ Some engaged in home business. ● Depression weakened family units. ○ There was a decline in divorces. ■ Marriage and birth rates declined as well. Depression Values (pg. 678­679) ○ Prosperity and industrial growth was deeply involved in shaping US values in the 1920’s. ○ Many believed “hard times” had effects in social values. ■ US values changed because of the depression. ■ The depression did not affect success ethics. ■ Many workers blamed themselves for not having jobs. ○ Many believed that economic problems were the problem of society. Artists and Intellectuals in the Great Depression (pg. 679) ○ There was a “discovery” of Rural Poverty. ■ People were shocked with rural poverty. ● People traveled through the South. ○ They recorded the nature of agricultural life. ■ Depression Literature. ● Many writer turned away personal concerns of the 20’s and devoted themselves to helping fight social injustice. Radio (pg. 679­680) ○ In the 3­’s almost every family had a radio. ■ Even people in rural areas. ■ They had a huge impact in the social lives of all ages. ● Those who could not afford a radio, they would meet up and listen to the radio in a public area. ○ Escapist programming. ● Radio stations carried social and political programs. ○ Escapist radio, such as: Superman, Dick Tracy, and the Lone Ranger. ● Radio brought a different sort of comedy to theatres for wider audiences. ○ Soap Operas became popular on tv. ■ Complicated stories that had some sort of social or political message. ● Radio programs were always live, and brought an enormous amount of public performances. ●
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Radios gave access to the average citizen to public events. ○ Academy Awards, World Series and football games. ● Radios encouraged families to center their lives around the home. Movies in the New Era (pg. 680­681) ○ The movies continued to grow in popularity. ■ Movies were the less expensive entertainment option. ○ In the 30’s movies were less conventional than in the 20’s. ■ Studios had an iron grip over writers, actors and directors. ● Movies still explored complicated social questions. ○ Movies in the 30’s were explicitly escapist. ■ Movies wanted to divert attention from the depression. ● Walt Disney. ○ Disney began to produce animated films. ○ Hollywood didn’t challenge the conventions of pop culture on race as well as gender. ■ Most actors were white. Popular Literature and Journalism (pg. 681­682) ○ Most radio stations, books, movies as well as magazines were escapist and romantic. ■ Life Magazine. ● One of the most successful magazines in history. ● There was a devoted attention to the depression and economics. ● It was best known for their stunning photographs, sporting and theatre events. The Hoover Program (pg. 686) ○ Voluntarism failed. ■ Hoover responded to the depression by trying to restore public confidence in the US economy. ○ Leaders of businesses, labor and agriculture went to the white house to urge them to adopt the voluntary corporation for recovery. ■ Higher wages and better hours for workers. ○ Economic conditions in 1931 collapsed the general structure of the US economy. ■ Wanted to use the government with which to fight the depression. ○ They wanted to encourage congress to increase 423 million dollars in federal public work programs. ■ This was not enough to help with the devastating issues. ○ In 1932 the government proposed a tax increase to help in avoiding the deficit. ■ Agricultural Marketing act​
. ■ In April 1929, the first major government program to aid farmers maintain prices. ● They wanted to help them by raising tariffs. ○ Hawley Smoot Tariff. ■ Did not make a difference. ● Hoover declined in popularity. ○ In 1931, Hoover’s popularity declined very significantly. ■ Democrats won control of the house. ■ Shantytowns. ● Unemployed people established in outskirts. ○ International financial panic destroyed hope of economic crisis to end ending. ○ European countries were depending more and more on US loans. ■ After 1929, it was failing. ●
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● Us couldn’t afford to pay loans. ○ In 1931, Hoover supported supported measures to keep endangered banks alive to protect homeowners to suffer foreclosure. Popular Protest (pg. 686­688) ○ The government did not have enough money to fight the depression. ○ Farmer’s holiday association. ■ Endorsed withdrawing of farm products from the marker in effect of a previous farmer strike. ● Began in Western Iowa. ○ Spread to other area, blockading several markets. ○ In 1924, congress approved of payment of bonus for veterans that served in WW1. ■ They wanted it sooner. ■ In June of that year, veterans marched to DC to strike. ● They threw rocks at police, some were killed. The Election of 1932 (pg. 686­688) ○ FDR was nominated and Republican party nominated Hoover for his second term in office. ■ Democrats nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt. ○ FDR was well known in the political world. ■ He was the assistant secretary of navy in WW1. ● Hoover’s unpopularity ensured Roosevelt's election. Crash Course #34 1. The New Deal ○ Redefined the role of the federal government ○ Came from FDR’s campaign ■ Government's responsibility to give every man comfortable living ■ Didn’t say how he was going to accomplish this c. Ended Prohibition ○ New Deal was intended to fix the depression and future depressions ○ Not actually started by FDR, it was actually congress ○ Three R’s ■ Relief programs gave help to people ■ Recovery programs to fix economy and get people back to work ■ . Reform program regulate eco. and prevent more depressions 2. Phases of the New Deal ○ First New Deal was FDR’s programs before 1935 ■ Civilian Conservation Corps. paid people to build national parks ■ Glass Steagall Act barred banks from buying and selling stocks ■ National Industrial Recovery Act made NR ● 1. NRA used to make industry standards for work ● 2. FERA used to give care to those in desperate need 3. Thought Bubble a. FDR didn’t want people dependent on handouts ○ Preferred programs that gave temp. jobs ■ NIRA also made the Public Works Administration ■ Built community stuff like bridges and parks ■ Controversy in Tennessee Valley Authority ■ Built dams in Tennessee Valley and gave cheap power to those around ●
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■ But government was then competing with private companies ○ Agricultural Adjustment Act allowed better farmers lives ■ Set production quotas and paid farmers to plant less so they didn’t have to overproduce ■ This only applied to property owning farmers ■ Dust Bowl hit Great Plains and made farming life bad ○ The Supreme Court struck down the AAA as it was too involved in the eco. ○ In the case U.S. Vs. Butler f. Because of this FDR tried to kick out all court justices over the age of 70 ○ This was met with large amounts of backlash 4. 2nd New Deal ■ 2nd new deal shifted away from recovery and toward economic security ● National Labor Relations Act (​
Wagner Act)​
and Social Security Act ​
● Wagner allowed workers to unionize ○ Most important union in 1930’s was the Congress of Industrial Organizations ■ Tried to unionize entire industry's ■ Sit Down Strike This was where workers would stop working and just occupy After depression there was the idea that the way to combat the depression was by raising wages ○ Allowing them to buy more stuff and have good eco. ○ Social Security Act gave benefits to about everybody in any form of need e. Government was now seen as a helper and for the people 35: 1. ○ Before the War a. After WWI, Americans were very skeptical about going into a new war ○ Time period between WWII and WWI was an age of isolationism, or so is said ■ There were arms reduction negotiations ■ There was also the pursuance of the Good Neighbor Policy with Latin America ■ They were isolationist thought because they stopped trade in the Depression and overall slowed it ● They were also because after invasion, congress passed multiple Neutrality Acts ● . Many people look at this as isolationism because it was really only with Europe ■ America allowed Cash and Carry ​
for arms ● This meant that they would pay in cash and the British would come and get their weapons ■ They were already ended but they were pushed into the war after Pearl Harbor ○ Thought Bubble a. 78,000 American troops surrendered at Bataan ■ Resulted in thousands dying in the Bataan Death March ■ Strategy in the Pacific was called Island Hopping ■ Meant taking small islands so bombers could go from them and attack Japan eventually ■ In Europe they started In Africa and defeated Rommel ■ They then went to Italy and then Normandy on D​
Day 3. Ending of the War a. Most of the deaths were Russian ■ 20 million Russians died in the war b. Ended May 8th 1945 ■ Pacific went until August ■ After bombing Hiroshima and Nagasaki ■ Bombs and Ethicality a. Arguments: ■
Truman had good evidence that they would surrender if the Emperor was threatened to lose his throne ● They targeted people not military ● In actuality there were many troops stationed there ● Threaten the USSR from taking more territory ● Atomic bombs were too different that they were surely illegal ● If they did go in, they would have lost many more people ● Many people died though in bombing in other ways ● WWII was a very people attacking war