history flashcards

CENTRAL FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

- Based in the capital, Washington DC. It was run by the president, a cabinet of advisors and a congress. It focused on oversea matters that affected the country.

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STATE GOVERNMENT

- Based in the capital city of each state. They created the states own laws, contolled the police force nd court system and also appointed their own governer to look after the state.

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HOW MANY POLITICAL PARTIES ARE THERE IN THE USA?

-There are only 2 political parties in the USA. the republican party and the democratic party.

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THE REPUBLICAN PARTY

- More likely to preserve traditions and stay out of peoples lives (laissez-faire). They also didnt support high taxes, this pleased rich people and business men. More people supported them in the north as it was a richer area. More conservative too.

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THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

- More of an 'ordinary people's' party, prefering to intervene in every day life if necessary. They favoured helping the most vulnerable such as the poor and elderly. They had more support in the poorer southern states.

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THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY 2

- They were more liberal and they were also prepared to change things and accept change.

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THE BILL OF RIGHTS

- Guarantees americans a series of freedoms and rights. Including the right to vote, freedom of belief, freedom of information and freedom in law.

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THE BILL OF RIGHTS 2

- By 1919, many states refused to recognise the right to vote for women, african americans and american indians.

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AMERICAN PEOPLE AND SOCIETY

- America has a long history of immigration. By the early 1900's, there were over 100 different nationalities living in a population of nearly 110 million.

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AMERICAN PEOPLE AND SOCIETY 2

- Immigration had made the USA a 'melting pot' of different races, cultures and religions.

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THE FIRST AMERICANS

- Also known as american indians, they lived in tribes across america thousands of years before white europeans settled there. The white settlers took most of their land and forced them to live in reservations.

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EARLY IMMIGRANTS

- They began to arrive from the european countries in the 1600's. They fought many wars between themselves and the american indians. The british began to regard america as part of the british empire, however, they eventually gained independance.

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EARLY IMMIGRANTS 2

- By the 1900's, white english speakers had become the most powerful group in america. About 10% of american people owned 90% of the wealth (mostly white anglo saxon protestants or wasps).

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NEW IMMIGRANTS

- A wave of mew immigrants flooded into america from 1850 onwards. They were mainly from eastern and southern europe and many were poor and illiterate. Some wasps (white anglo saxon protestants) saw new immigrants as a threat to their way of life.

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AFRICAN AMERICANS

- Millions of african americans were taken to work as slaves in the south of america between 1600 and 1800. Slavery ended in 1865 and by 1920 there were about 10 million african americans, mostly in the suthern states.

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AFRICAN AMERICANS

- Most african americans had limited freedom including no right to vote.

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WHEN DID AMERICA JOIN THE WAR?

- April the 6th, 1917.

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ISOLATIONISM IN AMERICA

- Isolationism refers to americas longstanding reluctance to become involved in european alliances and wars. It was overruled when america joined the war.

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HOW DID THE WAR HELP THE USA?

- The war disrupted the economic growth of the countries that were fighting. By the end of the war USA led the world in the production of medicines, dyes, and many basic goods. America was the only major nation without huge wartime debts.

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THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY

- The first ford factory was built in 1903, in michigan. By 1913, ford intrduced a new method of production, the assembly line-this meant that cars could be built quicker and cheaper.

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THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY 2

- Fords assembly line used an electric conveyor belt that carried the partly assembled car past workers who did one or two small jobs repeatedly, such as fitting wheels or doors. Fords model t car was mass produced on the assembly line.

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THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY 3

- As production got quicker, th price of the car fell. Costing nearly $800 in 1911, by 1928 it was only $295.

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THE FORD MODEL T

- The model t was slow, considered ugly ny some and hard to drive, but sturdy, very reliable and built with easy to change parts.

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THE FORD MODEL T 2

- It was the right product at the right time, catching the publics imagination when they were desperate for a chance to go beyond their own backyards. Ford called his model t car 'an affordable car for ordinary peope'.

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THE FORD MODEL T 3

- It changed the motor industry forever. By 1926, there were nearly 20 million cars on americas roads, and one in two was a ford.

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THE IMPACT OF THE BOOM IN THE MOTOR INDUSTRY

- For every worker in a car factory, there were 10 more making the parts that the car needed. There were also jobs building roads, high ways and oil refineries to supply the fuel as well as in petrol stations, roadside hotels and garages.

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THE IMPACT OF THE BOOM IN THE MOTOR INDUSTRY 2

- There were positive and negative socia changes due to this, although it gave a sense of freedom, allowed people to travel and meant people didnt have to live close to work, it also lead to traffic jams, accidents and pollution.

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PLAYING THE STOCK MARKET

- During the 1920's, millions of ordinary americans, not just the rich, bought shares in all sorts of companies and made money by selling them. In 1920, there were only 4 milion people who owned shares. By 1929, there were 5 times as many.

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PLAYING THE STOCK MARKET 2

- Many people bought shares with money borrowed from banks or with a small deposit of 10%. They would then pay the remaining amount with the profits they made when the shares were sold.

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PLAYING THE STOCK MARKET 3

- This method of purchasing shares was called 'buying on the margin'.

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THE WALL STREET CRASH

- Playing the stock market was very popular in the 1920's however at the end of the decade, the stock market 'crashed'.

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INEQUALITIES OF WEALTH

- Not all americans could afford the goods that th factories produced. There was a limit to the number of cars, radios, telephones and fridges people needed and would buy.

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INEQUALITIES OF WEALTH 2

- American factories were making goods faster than they could sell them (overproduction) and profits were beggining to fall.

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PROBLEMS ABROAD

- Companies struggled to sell their goods abroad because foreign governments had put tariffs (or taxes) on US made goods. These countries wanted to encourage their citizens to buy goods made in their own country.

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LACK OF CONFIDENCE

- Some shareholders began to doubt whether the companies in which they had invested in would keep making large profits.

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LACK OF CONFIDENCE 2

- In september 1929, a few catious people began to seell their shares so they wouldnt get their portion of company profits at the end of the year.

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PEOPLE START TO PANIC

- More and more peope began to sell their shares as word spread about the falling profits of leading US companies. Shareholders realised that their shares were only worth something if someone was willing to buy them.

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PEOPLE START TO PANIC 2

- As they tried to sell their shares for cash, they dropped their price to attract a buyer.

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'BLACK THURSDAY'

- On the 24th of october 1929, 13 million shares were sold on the new york stock exchange on wall street-5 times as many as on a normal day. Share prices in nearly all companies continued to drop.

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'BLACK THURSDAY' 2

- Some investors called this 'black thursday'; others called it the 'crash'.

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BEYOND 'BLACK THURSDAY'

- People continued to try to sell their shares. On tuesday the 29th of october, there was another mad panic to sell shares at any price. 16 million shares were sold during the day and the average price of shares dropped by 40 cents.

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BEYOND 'BLACK THURSDAY' 2

- Shareholders lost a total of $8 billion.

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BANKS GO BANKRUPT

- It wasnt just shareholders who lost money. Many americans had borrowed money from banks to buy shares, hoping to pay back their loans when the shares rose in price.

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BANKS GO BANKRUPT 2

- When share prices fell, investors couldnt sell their shares for enough to be able to pay the bank back. When lots of customers couldnt pay back their loans, the banks went bankrupt. In 1929 alone, 659 banks went bust.

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POVERTY IN THE COUNRTYSIDE

- After the first world war, there was less demand in europe for american goods. Some countries taxed US products, making them expensive and difficult to sell to customers overseas. The use of high tech farming machinery produced more food to sell.

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POVERTY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE 2

- Prices fell and farmers became poorer as a result. Some farmers had borrowed money from the banks to buy the lastest machinery and now they couldnt repay the loans.

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POVERTY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE 3

- As a result, many farmers were forced to sell their farms to raise money or risked being evicted. Around 600,000 farmers lost their farms in 1924 alone. The farm workers also lost their jobs.

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PROBLEMS IN TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES

- Coal miners suffered because coal mines closed. Other forms of fuel (oil, gas, electricity) were increasingly used to hear homes and cook food.

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PROBLEMS IN TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES 2

- Cotton and wool factory workers suffered-there was less demand for their products because of the popularity of new man made fibres, such as rayon, and fashions for shorter dresses, which required less material.

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PROBLEMS IN TRADITIONAL INDUSTRIES 3

- The price of cotton and woollen cloth fell and many factories shut down resulting in many workers becoming unemployed.

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AFRICAN AMERICAN WORKERS

- Many worked on farms as labourers or were sharecroppers who rented small areas of farm land from a landowner.

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AFRICAN AMERICAN WORKERS

- As the farmng industry suffered in general, african american farm workers and sharecroppers were hit particularly hard because they were already desperately poor. Many moved to cities to work but could often only find low paid jobs.

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AMERICAN INDIANS

- Large amounts of their land had been seized by mining companies and much of their traditional way of life had been lost. Many american indians had been forced to move to reservations. Most american indians lived in extreme poverty.

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JAZZ MUSIC

- Jazz origionated in the southern states of america among african americans and spread north as african americans began to move in search of work. It is known for improvisation, fast tempos and lively rythms.

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JAZZ MUSIC 2

- The loud, lively music appealed to the young, both black and white. It soon became the most popular musical style in dancehalls, bars, and night clubs.

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JAZZ MUSIC 3

-Jazz provided great oppurtunities for black musicians such as louis armstrong, duke ellington and bessie smith. New dance crazes became popular like the charleston and the tango.

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JAZZ MUSIC 4

- Some people criticized jazz, particularly the older generation, they felt it encouraged drunkeness and the dances were too sexual.

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CINEMA

- Many of the major movie companies built studios in hollywood. Weekly audiences grew from 35 million in 1919 to 100 million in 1930. Studios introduced the 'star system' to promote their main actors. Charlie Chaplin became a household name.

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CINEMA 2

- By 1929, hollywood film studios were making over 500 films a year, giving employmentand entertainment. The jazz singer was released in 1927-the first feature length film to incude sound (known as a talkie).

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SPORT

- Sportspeople, such as babe ruth and bobby jones became celebrities. Radiobroadcasts, newspapers and magazines helped bring major sporting events to a mass audience.

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CRAZY CRAZES

- A chinese board game called mahjong, crossword puzzles, marathon dancing and pole sitting all became popular things to take part in.

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HOW DID THE LIVES OF SOME WOMEN CHANGE?

- More women lived on their own. They were less likely to stay in an unhappy marriage-the divorce rate doubled during the 1920's. Some women began to behave and dress differently.

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HOW DID THE LIVES OF SOME WOMEN CHANGE? 2

- A survey in 1900 showed 80% hadnt had sex before marriage. in 1920 it was only 31%.

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WOMEN BEFORE THE WAR

- Most women led restricted lives and couldnt vote. Middle and upper class women were expected to behave politely at all times and wear sensible clothing. They rarely played sport. wore little makeup and their relationships were fully controlled.

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WOMEN BEFORE THE WAR 2

- For poorer women who had to work, there were few oppurtunities for promotion. They usually had to settle for poorly paid jobs such as cleaning, low skilled factory work and secretarial work.

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WOMEN DURING THE WAR

- Women took over th jobs of men who went away to fight. They worked just as hard and as well as men and the money they earned gave them a sense of inderpendance.

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WOMEN DURING THE WAR 2

- American women were given the right to vote in 1920, partly as a result of their war work. By 1929, there were around 10.5 million women with jobs, around 25% more than in 1920.

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WHAT WAS A 'FLAPPER'?

- Mainly middle and upper class women from the northern states. Some rode motorbikes and went to night clubs with men until the early hours of the morning.

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WHAT WAS A 'FLAPPER'? 2

- Their liberal attitude shocked more traditional members of society who saw flappers as an example of the evils of modern life. An anti flirt league was formed to protest against their behavior.

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WHY WAS PROHIBITION INTRODUCED?

- Prohibition was introduced due to morality, rural america, religious organisations and patriotism.

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MORALITY

- Alchohol was seen by some to be contributing to a decline in moral values. Some politicians believed that america would be a better, healthier place if alchohol was banned.

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RURAL AMERICA

- People in rural areas saw the new and growing towns and cities as places where alchohol fuelled violence and crime were common. There had been a strong camapaign against alchohol led by pressure groups like the anti saloon league.

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RELIGIOUS ORGANISATIONS

- Many religious organisations and churchesopposed alchohol because they claimed it caused a variety of social problems such as violence, poverty, addiction and debt.

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PATRIOTISM

- Many beers on sale in america were either imported from germany or brewed by german immigrants. During the first world war it was argued that americans who drank this beer were traitors.

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WHY MOVE TO AMERICA?

- America prides itself on the idea that everyone has the right to achieve success ('the american dream'). The declaration of independance states that 'all men are ctreated equal'.

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WHY MOVE TO AMERICA? 2

- Various groups were persecuted for their religious or political beliefs in some european countries. The standard of living was higher in america and workers were paid more. Much of europe was still divided by class.

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WHY MOVE TO AMERICA? 3

- It was very difficult for working class people to improve their lives. There was great poverty in europe-terrible housing, poor health and bad diet. American land was cheap and fertile.

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WHY MOVE TO AMERICA? 4

- It was also rich in natural recources such as coal, iron, cotton, oil and timber. There were plenty of jobs in america in steel, coal and textile production and the car, electrical and chemical industries.

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WHY MOVE TO AMERICA? 5

- Many european towns and cities were over crowded. land was in short supply and expensive.

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IMMIGRATION LAWS

- 1917: the literacy act banned entry to anyone over the age of 16 who couldnt read a sentence of 40 words. 1921: immigration quota law only 350,000 immigrants allowed in every year.

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IMMIGRATION LAWS 2

- 1924: national origins act allowed only 150,000 immigrants in every year.

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THE BLACK 'RENAISSANCE'

- Some african american cities flourished in the nothern states. Harlem became a centre for creativity, black culture and black pride. White people were atracted by jazz and night clubs. some african americans even entered politics.

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THE KKK-AIMS AND HOW IT STARTED

- To maintain white supremicy over african americans and immigrants. Founded in the 1860's "to keep them in their place".

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THE KKK-METHODS

- Some of the methods they used were whipping, branding, kidnapping, castration and lynching.

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THE KKK-THE DECLINE

- In 1925, the kkk leader was convicted of the brutal kidnapping, **** and murder of a young woman. At his trail, he exposed secrets causing the membership rate to go from 5 million to 300,000.

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THE 'PALMER RAIDS' AND THE 'RED SCARE'

- In july 1919, a bomb destroyed the house of alexander mitchel palmer, the man incharge of americas law and police. Palmer vowed to get rd of the communists ('reds').

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THE CASE OF SACCO AND VANZETTI

- Sacco and vanzetti were convicted of robbery and murder. There was no evidence but the judge said that they were to blame because they were the enemy. They said they were innocent but were argued against because they "couldnt speak english".

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THE CASE OF SACCO AND VANZETTI 2

- there was no conclusive evidence but the judge found them guilty and sentenced them to death.

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THE CASE OF SACCO AND VANZETTI-WHY WAS IT SO IMPORTANT?

- The trial was reported all over the world and there were huge demonstations against the verdict. Protesters said the trail was unfair and the two men were only found guilty because of their race and their anachist ideas.

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THE CASE OF SACCO AND VANZETTI-WHY WAS IT SO IMPORTANT? 2

- Despite years of protest and appeals, the two men were executed by electric chair on the 23rd of august 1927.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-ORDINARY SHAREHOLDERS

- Millions of investors lost a forture. They tried to pay back bank loans by selling valuables. Some struggled to pay rent and faced homelessness.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-THE VERY RICH

- Some rich people lost part of their wealth because they had invested in shares or owned factories that closed. However, many owned lots of property and land and were not affected.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-BUSINESSMEN AND THEIR WORKERS

- Factories had been overproducing. After the crasg, people had less money to spend so fewer goods were sold. Factory owners cut production, wages and jobs.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-BUSINESSMEN AND THEIR WORKERS

Closures affected local businessmen too: for example, fewer workers eating at restaurants near factories meant some restaurants closed too.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-FARMERS

- Many farmers struggled before the crash. Farmers with bank loans for equipment had to pay back the money. They faced losing their farms. The dustbowl also occured.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-BANK MANAGERS

- When banks went bust bank managers and staff lost their jobs.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-UNEMPLOYED

- Around 13 million people had lost their jobs by 1932. 12,000 people a day lost their jobs and 20,000 companies had closed. Factory production dropped by 45%.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-HOBOS AND HOOVERVILLES

- Around 250,000 americans stopped paying their mortgages in 1932 alone most of them were evicted. Unemployed workers (hobos) traveled to find jobs. The homeless qued in breadlines for food and many took to living on the streets.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-HOBOS AND HOOVERVILLES

- Some moved to urban waste ground and built shacks.

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THE IMPACT OF TH GREAT DEPRSSION ON PEOPLES LIVES-HOOVERS RESPONSE

- He was convinced america would recover soon. He built the hoover dam to give people temporary jobs and also gave $300 million so states could help the unemployed only $30 million was accepted.

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THE 1932 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

- Hoover vs Roosevelt

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THE 1932 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION-FDR WON

- FDR called his new ideas a 'new deal' for the american people. He was an excellent public speaker therefore the phrase 'new deal' caught the publics imagination.

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THE NEW DEAL-ALPHABET AGENCIES

- 3 sections, help for farmers, help for industry and workers and help for the unemployed.

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THE NEW DEAL-ALPHABET AGENCIES-HELP FOR FARMERS

- FCA:(farm credit administation) lent money to farmers who couldnt keep up with loan payments. AAA:(agricultural adjustment act) paid farmers to produce less. As a result farm income increased.

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THE NEW DEAL-ALPHABET AGENCIES-HELP FOR INDUSTRY AND WORKERS

- NRA:(national recovery administration) encouraged workers and employers to work together. TVA:(tennessee valley authority) provided work building dams and power stations in poor areas.

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THE NEW DEAL-ALPHABET AGENCIES-HELP FOR INDUSTRY AND WORKERS

HOLC:(home owners loan corp) gave loans to people struggling to pay their mortgages.

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THE NEW DEAL-ALPHABET AGENCIES-HELP FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

- CCC:(civillian conservation corps) jobless 18-25 year olds were put to work in the countryside, creating 2.5 million jobs. CWA:(civil works administation) provided temporary jobs to 4 million buildind schools, airports and roads.

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THE NEW DEAL-ALPHABET AGENCIES-HELP FOR THE UNEMPLOYED

- FERA:(federal emergency relief act) $500 million given to states to help the homeless.

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THE EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NEW DEAL

- Created jobs, number of bank failures dropped, millions still remained very poor throughout the 1930's.

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THE NEW DEAL AND WORKERS

- The alphabet agencies provided jobs for skilled and unskilled workers. The workers were allowed to join the trade union. However unions were treated with suspicion.

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THE NEW DEAL AND FARMERS

- Prices of crops were raised, loans were made available. However, severe poverty was still covering the rural areas.

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THE NEW DEAL AND AFRICAN AMERICANS

- The new deal didnt end discrimination. 200,000 african americans gained jobs through the CCC. Mry mcleod appionted important government position.

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THE NEW DEAL AND AMERICAN INDIANS

- Government loans provided so they could buy more land and farming equipment. The indian reservation act of 1934 gave them the right to manage their own land. Many still in poverty.

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THE NEW DEAL AND WOMEN

- No deal programmes aimed directly at women, still faced discrimination. NRA set womens wages lower than mens.

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MCCARTHYISM

- Mccarthy used the fear of communism to help him so people began to see him as a hero. This led to a 'witch hunt'.

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THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT-BROWN VS BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA, 1954

- Most of americas schools were segregated. in 1951, in topeka, kansas, the father of an african american girl named linda brown took the local education authority to court. He wanted his daughter to attend her local 'whites only' school.

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THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT-BROWN VS BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA, 1954

- He was helped in his case by the NAACP (national assosiation for the advancement of coloured people). Brown lost the case but appealed against the desicion to the supreme court.

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THE CIVIL RIGHTS MOVEMENT-BROWN VS BOARD OF EDUCATION OF TOPEKA, 1954

In may 1954, the chief judge declared that every education board had to end segregation is schools. Within weeks amny cities and towns began to desegregate their schools.

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