In Search of the American
Dream: the USA, c1917-96
REVISION BOOKLET
,The changing political environment, 1917-80
KEY TERMS:
Republicans – associated with the idea of
minimal government intervention in
business/daily life, low taxes and conservative
social policies.
Democrats – associated with the idea of civil
rights, work unions, progressive reform (social
and economic)
Separation of powers – laws were made by a
legislative group (Congress), carried out by an
executive group (president + his administration
and enforced by a judicial group (Supreme
Court). Each group could curb the action of
some of the others – no one had all the power.
,The rise and decline of Republicanism to 1933
Rise of Republicanism Decline of Republicanism
1920 – Harding (Return to Normalcy) Wall Street Crash (1929) – stock market crashed. 16million shares were traded,
billions of dollars were wiped out. US had lost $30 billion, 5000 banks failed.
• Proposed the ‘return to normalcy’, appealed to those exhausted by the year run Businesses closed, farms went bankrupt, unemployment spread rapidly.
by Wilson (post war economic depression saw unemployment increase from
950,000 in 1919 to over 5 million in 1921, increased fear of communism, and Hoovers ‘rugged individualism’ – Hoover strongly believed Americans should rely
racial inequality like the ‘Red summer’) on their hard work and not on the government. Hoover resisted calls for direct relief
payments to the unemployed, encouraged charities/local government to act
• Harding promised pro-business policies + isolationism. Pushed tariffs like instead. Made Hoover appear out of touch.
Fordney McCumber Tariff to protect US manufacturers. His slogan was “less
government in business, more business in government” – committed to Hoovers policy failures – when Hoover signed the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff,
laissez-faire. raising import duties on thousands of goods, it triggered a global trade war. Other
countries retaliated, causing US exports to fall by almost 60%. His introduction of
1924 – Coolidge (Honest Leadership) the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) which lent money to banks and
large businesses, but little direct help to struggling families, made it look like he
• Coolidge continued the laissez faire approach, with low taxes and balanced was ‘helping the rich’.
budgets – encouraged the growth in the ‘Roaring Twenties’.
Unemployment, poverty and Protest – Great Depression caused huge suffering.
• Car ownership rose from 8million to 23million (due to Fords assembly line). Unemployment reached 13million, many families lost their homes and had to live
People invested in consumer goods like radios, vacuums and refrigerators – in shanty towns known as ‘Hoovervilles’. Hunger marches began, but they were
Americans could invest in these things through credit schemes. attacked with tanks and tear gas which were sent by Hoover.
1928 – Hoover (Promise of Prosperity) Rise of Roosevelt + The Democrats – Roosevelt offered the ‘New Deal’ which
pledged government action to deliver relief, recovery and reform. His campaign
• Campaigned under ‘rugged individualism’ - belief the individuals should rely was full of optimism which appealed to millions. In the election he won a landslide.
on their own effort rather than government aid.
• Prosperity continued, nearly 70% of homes had electricity, consumer good
sales were at a record high, skyscrapers went under construction (symbolised
modern success)
, 1933 Emergency Banking Act:
Closed all banks for inspection,
The influence of Roosevelt only solvent banks reopened. More
people began to exceed
withdrawals.
1932 Election Victory: 1933 First Fireside Chat: Americans now expected
Roosevelt won by landslide. Promised the Roosevelt explained the banking presidents to take swift, direct
Americans an ‘New Deal’, which opposed crisis directly to the people over action, and not leave it to the
Hoovers ‘rugged individualism’ and the radios. Used calm language, market.
laissez-faire. millions listened.
It raised expectations that the presidency People began to expect presidents
should solve national crisises. to communicate openly and 1935 Social Security Act:
personally. First national system of pensions
and unemployment insurance.
1933 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC):
Provided old-age pensions, aid for
Gave jobs to 3 million young men in forestry, flood 1935 Wagner Act: the disabled, and unemployment
control, and national parks. Gave workers legal right to join benefits.
People now expected government to create jobs trade union. Create the National Americans now expected the
and intervene directly in unemployment. Labour relations board to protect government to provide a safety net
worker’s rights. in old age or economic hardship.
Marked a shift, federal government
was now expected to protect
workers, not just businesses.
Dream: the USA, c1917-96
REVISION BOOKLET
,The changing political environment, 1917-80
KEY TERMS:
Republicans – associated with the idea of
minimal government intervention in
business/daily life, low taxes and conservative
social policies.
Democrats – associated with the idea of civil
rights, work unions, progressive reform (social
and economic)
Separation of powers – laws were made by a
legislative group (Congress), carried out by an
executive group (president + his administration
and enforced by a judicial group (Supreme
Court). Each group could curb the action of
some of the others – no one had all the power.
,The rise and decline of Republicanism to 1933
Rise of Republicanism Decline of Republicanism
1920 – Harding (Return to Normalcy) Wall Street Crash (1929) – stock market crashed. 16million shares were traded,
billions of dollars were wiped out. US had lost $30 billion, 5000 banks failed.
• Proposed the ‘return to normalcy’, appealed to those exhausted by the year run Businesses closed, farms went bankrupt, unemployment spread rapidly.
by Wilson (post war economic depression saw unemployment increase from
950,000 in 1919 to over 5 million in 1921, increased fear of communism, and Hoovers ‘rugged individualism’ – Hoover strongly believed Americans should rely
racial inequality like the ‘Red summer’) on their hard work and not on the government. Hoover resisted calls for direct relief
payments to the unemployed, encouraged charities/local government to act
• Harding promised pro-business policies + isolationism. Pushed tariffs like instead. Made Hoover appear out of touch.
Fordney McCumber Tariff to protect US manufacturers. His slogan was “less
government in business, more business in government” – committed to Hoovers policy failures – when Hoover signed the 1930 Smoot-Hawley Tariff,
laissez-faire. raising import duties on thousands of goods, it triggered a global trade war. Other
countries retaliated, causing US exports to fall by almost 60%. His introduction of
1924 – Coolidge (Honest Leadership) the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) which lent money to banks and
large businesses, but little direct help to struggling families, made it look like he
• Coolidge continued the laissez faire approach, with low taxes and balanced was ‘helping the rich’.
budgets – encouraged the growth in the ‘Roaring Twenties’.
Unemployment, poverty and Protest – Great Depression caused huge suffering.
• Car ownership rose from 8million to 23million (due to Fords assembly line). Unemployment reached 13million, many families lost their homes and had to live
People invested in consumer goods like radios, vacuums and refrigerators – in shanty towns known as ‘Hoovervilles’. Hunger marches began, but they were
Americans could invest in these things through credit schemes. attacked with tanks and tear gas which were sent by Hoover.
1928 – Hoover (Promise of Prosperity) Rise of Roosevelt + The Democrats – Roosevelt offered the ‘New Deal’ which
pledged government action to deliver relief, recovery and reform. His campaign
• Campaigned under ‘rugged individualism’ - belief the individuals should rely was full of optimism which appealed to millions. In the election he won a landslide.
on their own effort rather than government aid.
• Prosperity continued, nearly 70% of homes had electricity, consumer good
sales were at a record high, skyscrapers went under construction (symbolised
modern success)
, 1933 Emergency Banking Act:
Closed all banks for inspection,
The influence of Roosevelt only solvent banks reopened. More
people began to exceed
withdrawals.
1932 Election Victory: 1933 First Fireside Chat: Americans now expected
Roosevelt won by landslide. Promised the Roosevelt explained the banking presidents to take swift, direct
Americans an ‘New Deal’, which opposed crisis directly to the people over action, and not leave it to the
Hoovers ‘rugged individualism’ and the radios. Used calm language, market.
laissez-faire. millions listened.
It raised expectations that the presidency People began to expect presidents
should solve national crisises. to communicate openly and 1935 Social Security Act:
personally. First national system of pensions
and unemployment insurance.
1933 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC):
Provided old-age pensions, aid for
Gave jobs to 3 million young men in forestry, flood 1935 Wagner Act: the disabled, and unemployment
control, and national parks. Gave workers legal right to join benefits.
People now expected government to create jobs trade union. Create the National Americans now expected the
and intervene directly in unemployment. Labour relations board to protect government to provide a safety net
worker’s rights. in old age or economic hardship.
Marked a shift, federal government
was now expected to protect
workers, not just businesses.
