Watergate: Nixon's Downfal

1. How ere the "plumbers" connected to President Nixon?

The "plumbers" helped Nixon look good. They kept government secrets from leaking to the public, and helped lower the public image of his opposers. They also were the ones that broke into Watergate to get information on the Democrats' campaigning strategies to help Nixon win reelection.

2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?

The judge was

3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?

Mitchell and Dean were also Nixon's advisors. They helped him in his campaign, presidency, and the Watergate cover up.

4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?

Haldeman and Erlichman were Nixon's chief of staff and chief domestic advisor. They were his advisors on keeping his good reputation as president. They also aided his campaign and were key elements in his victory of the 1968 election.

5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?

a. Dean

Told that Nixon was deeply involved in the cover up, and referred to one meeting when they discussed plans to continue hiding their involvement.

b. Butterfield

Revealed that Nixon had taped almost all of his phone conversations, and they could be used to prove Nixon's involvement.

6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "massacre"?

Attorney General Richardson, Archibald Cox, Solicitor General Robert Bork and the deputy attorney general were fired or resigned in the "massacre."

7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts?

The investigators weren't satisfied with the transcripts because, before releasing them, Nixon edited them to his liking.

8. What did the tapes reveal?

The tapes revealed that Nixon not only knew about the involvement in the Watergate burglary, but he agreed to help cover it up.

9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign?

Vice President Spiro Agnew resigned because it had been revealed that he accepted bribes during his time as governor of Maryland.

10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?

The House Judiciary Committee charged President Nixon with obstruction of justice, abuse of power, and contempt of Congress for refusing to surrender the tapes.

11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?

The Watergate scandal created a constitutional crisis because, along with Vietnam, it made people doubt and mistrust the government. It created a cynicism towards the government which still exists today.

Vietnam War Turning Points

1.

Why was the Tet Offensive a turning

point? Explain your answer.

The Tet Offensive was the turning point of the Vietnam War because it basically made the US lose all of it's support of the war back home. The Tet Offensive cost many lives, and the increasing death toll made the American people doubtful of the war. After the Tet Offensive, although it was considered a failure for the Viet Cong, the American people turned ultimately against the war, and the US couldn't fight much more with the complete lack of support from the people.

2.

Are Sources 51 and 52 making the

same point about the My Lai Massacre?

Sources 51 and 52 both stated that their purpose was not to kill innocent people, and neither of them had counted on doing so, but Lieutenant Calley in source 52 argues that he the US had to do so to fight communism. Ronald Ridenhour in source 51 does not try to back the massacre or give any argument in its favor. He was totally against it, and it was considered a Nazi thing to do. Calley didn't approve of the Mai Lai massacre, but he saw it a necessary part of fighting the Viet Cong.

3. Why do you think it took 12 months for

anyone to do anything about the

massacre?

I think it took 12 months for anyone to do anything about the massacre because the US military played it like a success. They pretended that there were Viet Cong killed in the massacre, and that it was a successful search-and-destroy mission. Nobody did anything about the massacre because no one knew it was a massacre, they thought it was a mission that went well and eliminated some of the enemy. It wasn't revealed that just about all of the people murdered were innocent civilians.

4. Why was the massacre so shocking to

the American public?

The massacre was so shocking to the American public because it was a completely un-American thing to do in war. As source 51 said, it was a "Nazi" thing to do, and the US had tried so hard to fight the Nazis because of the evil things they did. Yet they massacred innocent people, which was something along the lines of Hitler and the Nazis.

The U.S. struggles against the Communist in Vietnam

Thinking it through
1. Now think about the overall picture - how the strengths and weaknesses work together.

a) Were the armies finely balanced or was the balance strongly weighted to one side or the other?

The balance was hugely weighted to the Viet Cong. The only advantages the US had was larger numbers and superior technology, but that wasn't enough to defeat the Viet Cong. Viet Cong had strong, dedicated soldiers that wouldn't rest until they won. They also applied the devastating tactic of guerrilla warfare, which crushed US morale and effectively wore them out. Also, Viet Cong's lack of advanced technology increased their mobility, so they could move faster than the US troops could. On top of that, they knew the territory, and the majority of the Vietnamese population was against the US because of their corrupt leader of South Vietnam, Diem. The Viet Cong had more support, and was supplied by China and the USSR. Although they were outnumbered, the Viet Cong had a large advantage over the US.

b) Which quality was most important in determining who won the war? Was one feature so important that being ahead in that area meant that other advantages or disadvantages did not matter?

The most important quality was the tactics. The Viet Cong used highly effective guerrilla tactics, that increased the other advantages. It made their one disadvantage negligible, and their other advantages somewhat less necessary, but at the same time it intensified those advantages. The guerrilla tactics lowered US morale, increased Viet Cong morale, wore out the US, and it was made easy by their mobility and knowledge of the territory. It was easily their largest advantage.

Explaining your conclusions
The failure of the U.S. army to beat the Communist in Vietnam was the result of its own weaknesses and Viet Cong strengths.

2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were:

Unknown territory

Lack of local support

Lowered morale by opposing guerrilla tactics

Inferior and less motivated soldiers

Low popularity of the war back at the US, and low popularity of the US even in the country they were fighting for

b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were:

Extremely effective tactics

Very strong, motivated and committed soldiers

Chinese and Soviet support

Good mobility and knowledge of the land

Support of locals

c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example:

The bombing raids damaged some key points, and slowed down the Viet Cong

In La Dreng Valley, the US fought the Viet Cong in open warfare, which was a good victory for the US

d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were:

The raids and attempts to take out the hidden Viet Cong guerrilla fighters just killed countless innocent civilians and destroyed cities and forests. It was a highly unethical tactic and made the US look terrible

e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:

Guerrilla tactics left the US constantly afraid of ambush, and they had no way of knowing who was part of Viet Cong

f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:

The Tet Offensive was a total disaster. It did not achieve any of its goals, but it did raise controversy in the US.

The US's bombing raids took a toll on the Vietnamese, and their chemical weapons were just as disastrous. They eventually got North Vietnam to the negotiation table.

g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be their unpopularity because:

The US was hated by North Vietnam, and a lot of South Vietnam. It motivated the Viet Cong to fight hard and gave them a relentless commitment to winning. The Viet Cong eventually followed through and defeated the US with all of it's support, effective tactics, and determination.

h. The key Viet Cong strength was its effective tactics because:

Their guerrilla tactics were very effective in subduing the US. They couldn't be beaten because they'd take the US by surprise, then flee before they could be countered. They blended in with civilians, and the US never knew when they'd be ambushed, and they were constantly afraid of being attacked. It lowered their morale and gave them no chance at victory.

The U.S. Attempts to Contain Cuba

1. Why was Cuba so important to the United States?

Cuba was so important to the US because it had been an ally before Castro took power, and it owned most of the businesses in Cuba, and there was as huge naval base on the island.

2. Why do you think the Americans chose to equip Cuban exiles rather than invading themselves?

The Americans chose to equip exiles rather than invade themselves because they didn't want to make a direct act of violence against the Soviets, who were backing Cuba, so they used the exiles as a decoy, so that it looked like the exiles were fighting back against their exile.

3. Why did the invasion fail?

The invasion failed because the exiles were greatly outnumbered, and the US did not give enough support to allow them to win.

4. Compare Source 17 on page 345 (in the Arms Race.pdf reading) with Source 24 on page 348. Describe how the Soviet Union missiles on Cuba changed the Cold War balance of power

The Soviet Union missiles on Cuba gave the USSR their upper hand. The US had the ICBMs, which could hit the Soviet Union from the US. It also had shorter range missiles in NATO countries that could reach the Soviet Union in minutes. With missiles in Cuba, the USSR had weapons ready right off the shore from the US, and could hit almost anywhere in the US within 20 minutes. The missiles in Cuba evened things out between the US and USSR.

The Arms Race

1. Read Source 12. What methods do you think Dulles had in mind to 'liberate captive peoples' without a war?

Dulles was likely thinking about using atomic bombs to "liberate captive peoples." His plan was probably to drop atomic bombs in order to make them submit quickly without full scale war.

2. Look at Source 13. Would you agree that the Communist world was encircled? Explain your answer.

The Communist world was mostly surrounded. The only side of the country that didn't have an opposing country in that direction is the eastern side. The rest of it was surrounded by nations that were members of NATO, SEATO, and CENTO.

3. Carefully examine the verticle timeline on page 343. Then look back at Source 12. Do you think the development of nuclear weapons was what Dulles might have had in mind?

The development of nuclear weapons was probably not what Dulles had in mind. He would have been fairly pleased with the development and progress of the United States, but at some points the USSR has superiority and makes better progress. Dulles couldn't have had that part in mind.

4. Look at Source 16. What is the Soviet cartoon saying about the U-2 plane?

The Soviet cartoon is saying that Eisenhower had been closely watching the Soviet Union through a spyglass using the U-2 planes. It was making Eisenhower look like a sneaky, deceitful leader.

5. Read the Factfile on page 344. Explain why the USSR was so angry about the US spy flights.

The USSR was angry about the US spy flights, because they all violated the Soviet air space. Truman didn't allow the flights, but Eisenhower did. The Soviets knew about some of the flights but couldn't do anything about them, and they were an unfair act that was not at all authorized by the USSR.

6. How would the USA justify this violation of Soviet territory?

The USA would justify this violation by arguing that it was for the safety of its people. The US wanted to know what the USSR was capable of and what power it had achieved, otherwise they had no idea what might hit them or when. They could be much more prepared if they knew about the technology that the Soviets possessed.

7. If the USSR had had U-2 planes, do you think it would have used them? Why?

If the USSR had U-2 planes, they would have used them. They already had plenty of spies in the US feeding them information, so they wouldn't have a problem flying spy planes over the US.

8. Look at Source 17. Why do you think the USA had missiles based in Europe?

The USA probably had missiles in Europe because they could launch and hit their target in minutes. The long range ones in the US would take around thirty minutes, and they wouldn't be able to respond to an immediate threat as quickly with those as they could with the short range ones in Europe.

9. Define the term 'nuclear deterrent' in not more than 20 words.

Nuclear Deterrent- possessing nuclear weapons to make another nation afraid to attack with their nuclear weapons.

Eisenhower & The Cold War

How did the United States react to the following 7 events, and why?

1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.

Truman had to face the decision of whether or not to create a more devastating weapon that the atomic bomb to surpass the USSR again. The two countries set out on a race to create the Hydrogen bomb, or H-Bomb, first. The US made it first, but their advantage only lasted a year until the USSR exploded their own thermonuclear bomb. The arms race escalated to brinkmanship, which was pushing to the verge of nuclear war,

2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.

The CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) gave money to opponents of the governing party of Iran in hopes of a pro-American change in government so that Iran would not become weak and fall victim to the spreading communism.

3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.

The US believed that Guatemala was a communist sympathizing nation, so the CIA trained an army to invade it and overthrow the president, who resigned. The leader of the army became the dictator of Guatemala.

4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.

The UN stepped in to stop the fighting and convinced Britain, France, and Israel to back down out of Egypt, and allowed Egypt to keep control of the canal.

5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.

The US did nothing to aid Hungary in its fight against Soviet Control. The containment policy did not include driving the Soviets out of countries that it already had control of. That would probably be far too risky and lead to war.

6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
The US panicked, because they had been trying to do the same, and the Soviet's successful satellite was a few times the size of the failed US satellite. The US feared the Soviets not because their satellite, but because they had a rocket that was capable of launching an object all the way into space, which is an idea that could be used in warfare.

7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.

Eisenhower met with Khrushchev where he agreed to stop the U-2 flights, since he had already decided to do so, but refused to apologize for the incident.

The Red Scare (1950s)

1. HUAC

The HUAC investigated the movie industry for Communist influence, and pointed to the pro-communist movies made in World War II to support alliance with the USSR. Most accused people agreed that the film industry was infiltrated by communism, but some, like the Hollywood 10, refused to cooperate and were jailed.

,

2. Blacklist

The blacklist accused certain people of communistic activities or beliefs and condemned them. Their careers would be ruined because they could not work.

3. Alger Hiss

Alger Hiss was the subject of a largely publicized case. He was accused of being a Soviet spy, and former Soviet spy Whittaker Chambers tried to prove it by presenting documents supposedly printer on Hiss's typewriter. Hiss was jailed for perjury because they believed he lied about the documents.

4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg

Ethel and Julius Rosenberg were accused of leaking information about the atomic bomb to the Soviets, enabling the USSR to develop their own atomic bomb 3 to 5 years earlier than expected. The two were sentenced to death.

5. Joseph McCarthy

Joseph McCarthy made many unsupported accusations at countless people, and claimed that communism had infiltrated the US government. These accusations were just so he could gain a reputation in order to be reelected into his position again.

6. McCarthyism

Multiple, rapid accusations of communistic actions. It was an unfair tactic of accusing people of disloyalty without any evidence of proof against them.

7. In a paragraph, describe the motivations and actions of Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s. What prompted his actions? What did he do? What happened as a result of his actions?

Joseph McCarthy's actions were totally irrational and selfish. He had not been a good senator during his term, so he was afraid that he wouldn't be reelected into another term. In an attempt to gain reputation so he can get reelected, he tried to make people believe that he was doing something against communism and had information about it. He made multiple unsupported accusations against many people in the government, and claimed he had a list of communists in the government. Eventually, he made accusations against the US Army, which led to a large investigation that revealed McCarthy's lies and condemned him for his behavior.

War for Europe and North Africa - Part II

6. What was D-Day?
D-Day, June 6th, 1944, was the Allied invasion of Normandy, France. It was the largest land-sea-air operation in army history.

7. What happened at the Battle of the Bulge?
At the Batlte of the Bulge, Hitler made his last stand. He sent a huge force in an attempt to split up the U.S. and Great Britain, disrupt their supplies, and hurt their morale. In the end, the Germans were just pushed back, and they suffered great losses. After that, they could only retreat.

8. What did Allied troops find in Germany?

Allied troops found the gruesome death camps in Germany, and were horrified by the sight.

9. What happened to Hitler? What happened to F.D. Roosevelt? Who became U.S. President?

Hitler, seeing the end, shot himself while his wife swallowed poison. Then, following his orders, the Nazis soaked the bodies in gasoline and burned them. FDR had a stroke and died on April 12, 1945, vice president Harry S. Truman took over as president.

War for Europe & North Africa

1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed to form an alliance and attack Hitler before Japan, because Germany was a greater threat

2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
The Battle of the Atlantic was very important because if Germany won it, and cut off American supplies to Britain, then Germany would have starved Britain into submission and defeated it.

3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
The Soviets endured the near loss, but when winter came they fought back, and won the battle. It was very important because it was the turning point of the war, when the Allies started to gain the upper hand.

4. What happened in the war in North Africa?

In North Africa, Stalin pressured the Allies to open another front. So about 107,000 men, led by Dwight D. Eisenhower, battles the Afrika Korps, and eventually they were victorious.

5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy?

After the Allies invaded Italy, the Italian army fell in Sicily, and the Allies forced Mussolini to give up his position, and he was arrested. Then Germany attempted to stop their invasion and attacked them in Italy in the battle called "Bloody Anzio."

Mobilizing for WWII

Read Chapter 25-1: Mobilizing for War and note how each of the following contributed to that effort.

1. Selective Service System

Expanded the draft to increase the size of the army by an additional 10 million

2. Women

Women's Auxiliary Army Corps (WAAC)- passed May 15, 1942- allowed women to serve in non-combat positions in the military

3. Minorities

About 300.000 Mexican Americans enlisted

About 1 million African Americans enlisted

13.000 Chinese Americans

33,000 Japanese Americans

Some 25,000 Native Americans

4. Manufacturers

Stopped manufacturing personal vehicles, and began making only war vehicles

Other factories converted to making war supplies

By the end of 1942, Henry J. Kaiser had built 7 massive shipyards to build ships for the military

5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)

Developed new technology to be used in warfare

Developed technology in radar and sonar

Secretly developed the atomic bomb

6 Entertainment industry

7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)

Fought inflation by freezing prices and wages

Increased and expanded income taxes to lower demand by leaving workers less to spend

8. War Production Board (WPB)

Decided which companies would convert to wartime production

Allocated raw materials to industries

Organized drives for cans, paper, rags, and cooking fat to be recycled into manufacturing war materials

9. Rationing

Made life tougher for the civilians, but gave supplies to the soldiers in the war

Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941

Japan and U.S. Relations in 1941

Document A

• If Japan were to move South and take Southern territory in Asia, it would be able to conquer China
• the defeat of China would deal a blow to America's economy
• after taking China, they could then take the Soviet Union
• they planned to help Germany defeat England, and then America

Document B

• The U.S.leaders are studying the Pacific Situation
• Japan is just represented by a tiny bald guy labeled Tojo running in circles around them
• The three just glance at him, but he is no threat to them

Document C

• The United States was too stubborn and unfair to Japan
• Japan refused to negotiate with the U.S.
• Japan doesn't want to reveal to America that they are breaking off the negotiations

Document D

• Japan must continue acting militarily to serve its emperor
• they are on the verge of success and failure
• to satisfy the emperor, Japan must achieve military victory and defeat its enemies

Document E

• Japan has deceived the United States
• they were at peace, making negotiations, when Japan suddenly ended the negotiations and bombed Pearl Harbor
• the attack had obviously been planned days of even weeks ahead
• Japan had deliberately tricked the United States by pretending they were negotiating peace, when truly they were planning an attack
• Roosevelt requested that Congress declare war on Japan

"Isolationism" and FDR (1935 - 1941)

1. What were the goals of the isolationists? Why is "isolationism" a misleading term?

2. What did some isolationists feel that there was no need for Americans to feel threatened by developments in Europe and Asia?

3. What were the purposes of the Nye Committee hearings?
The Nye Committee hearings' purposes were to find out why the U.S. was dragged into the first World War.

4. List two impressions that the Nye Committee hearings created.

One impression that the Nye Committee hearings had created were that Wilson was convinced by businesses that would make a profit off of war to enter World War I. Another is that the bankers and munition-makers were guilty of profiteering, or getting an excess of profit for a necessary product.

5. What were the purposes of the Neutrality Acts?

The purposes of the Neutrality Acts were keep the U.S. out of the war and prevent it from suffering from it.

6. List two reasons that some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous.
Some Americans considered Roosevelt's leadership radical and dangerous because he gave the government more power in the economy, and people believed he was giving too much power and involvement to the government. Also, his attempt to "pack" the supreme court angered many people and severely hurt his reputation. Finally, he decided to run for a third term, which no president had ever attempted, and people thought he was over-powerful and dangerous as a president.

7. What was "Cash and Carry"?
"Cash and Carry" allowed the sale of war materials to the warring countries, but it required the countries to pay cash and to pick up the goods themselves instead of have them shipped.

8. Why did President Roosevelt freeze Japanese assets in the United States?

FDR froze Japanese assets in the U.S. because it was spreading through Asia, taking land everywhere. Roosevelt stopped trade with them, and stopped selling them crucial supplies. So Japan occupied French Indochina, where they could get those resources for themselves. Because of that, FDR froze Japanese assets in the U.S.

9. What was the purpose of the America First Committee?

The America First Committee dedicated itself to keeping the United States out of war, so its purpose was to do just that.

World Events Set Stage for Isolationism

1. What was the Japanese reaction to the Treaty of Versailles? (pgs. 4 - 5)
Some believed they should join the League of Nations in order to obtain some of the economic resources they needed, but many thought that the League of Nations would keep Japan a second-tier power, and that the larger nations would never treat Japan respectfully as equals. They were victims of a lot of racism, and demanded that an amendment be passed to prohibit racism and discrimination in the League of Nations, but it was not passed, and Japan was outraged, and many Japanese turned away from the West.

2. Read the pull-out box on page 4 entitled, "Japan Becomes a Great Power." Cite specific evidence Japan was becoming a strong power that rivaled European & American interests. And, why specifically was Japan threatened by U.S. actions?

Japan began to base its military and economy on other successful nations, and its success increased greatly. Its gross domestic service tripled, and its mining and manufacturing increased by six times. It then proceeded to gain more territory. in 1910, it annexed Korea, and in 1914, it waged war on Germany with intentions of moving in on China. Japan's interest in China conflicted with the interests of other powers, particularly Great Britain and the United States. From Japan's perspective, U.S. expansion into the Pacific Ocean posed a threat to its own expansion.

3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)

The Washington Naval Conference was convened because Japan's naval growth threatened U.S. interests, and they wanted to avoid a naval arms race. The nine nations that attended agreed to limit the size of naval ships, place a moratorium on building new battleships, outlawed the use of poison gases, and limited the role of submarines in future wars. They also affirmed China's sovereignty and created a policy of open trade with China. Finally, they agreed to settle issues about the Pacific Ocean by submitting them to a committee for resolution.

4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
Americans didn't forget the damage that World War I had caused, and desperately wanted to avoid being dragged into another war like it. Also, policy-makers still resisted obligations of permanent alliances and wanted to be able to do what they want, where they want.

5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)

Hitler enjoyed popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s because he improved the German economic situation and reduced the unemployment rate. Also, he restored pride for the Germans, which they had lost after their defeat in World War I and their punishment after it. Also, he defied the Treaty of Versailles and began to expand German power again.

6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)

Japanese voiced its intentions to invade China in order to obtain the raw materials it had to offer and to expand its power.

7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?

The Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria were both very similar. They were both used as an excuse for the Nazis and for Japan to act as they wanted. The fire was used as an excuse for the Nazis to act and eliminate rights and freedoms in Germany. The explosion was used as an excuse for Japan to invade China, because the incident was blamed on the Chinese.

8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)

The U.S. was unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s because it had drastically reduced the size of its military after World War I.

9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism. (pg. 8)

Liberal democracy had a constitution, and was based on the rights and freedoms of the people. It has elected representatives that make decisions based on those rights and freedoms for the people. Fascism is based on government power over the economy, and it emphasizes the government's power over the people. Socialism also involved the government taking power over the economy and the people, but its goal was to create a classless society, and make the people "equal" to each other.

FDR & the New Deal

1. Describe how people struggled to survive during the depression.

Many of the people living in cities lost their jobs then their homes, and they were forced to live in the street. People began using scrap junk to build makeshift shacks, and they began to form "shantytowns." African Americans and Latinos suffered more, facing the same troubles as the rest of the country and also increased racism from whites competing with them for jobs. Some Latinos were deported to Mexico, and others just left voluntarily. In rural areas, farmers could at least grow crops for food. However, due to t he debt, many farmers lost their farms to foreclosure. The Great Plains suffered dust storms, which created the "Dust Bowl," and many people left to escape the Dust Bowl.

2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?

Men were faced with trying to find work to support the family. They would go out on the street to look for jobs. After a year or two, or even three, men started to get so discouraged that they give up and stop trying. Some men left their families. The men who lost their homes wandered the country, and they were called hoboes. Occasionally, hoboes, mostly men, would turn up in homeless shelters in cities.

The women worked to support their families. They took care of housework and food and sewed clothes. They also managed their financial budget to minimize what they spend and save as much money as possible. Many women worked outside of their homes, but for less pay. Eventually, men began to resent women for taking up jobs that should be theirs.

Children suffered from poor diets and health care. Falling tax revenues made schools shorten the school year, and some even closed. Many children went into labor instead to make some money. Teenage "wild boys" jumped onto fright trains to roam the country trying to escape poverty and find work. They were sond of poor families, and eager to travel the country for free.

3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The causes of the Dust Bowl was the people that farmed on the great plains. The plowing, in order to plant crops, removed any protective plants that held the soil together, and then the overproduction of crops in the land exhausted the soil. So when the drought and winds came there were few plants to hold the soil there. The result was frequent dust storms that drove many farmers to leave their land behind.

Objective: Summarize the initial steps Franklin D. Roosevelt took to reform banking and finance.

4. What was the New Deal and its three general goals? (The 3 Rs)
The New Deal's three general goals were relief for the needy, economic recovery, and financial reform.

5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?

During the Hundred Days, FDR and Congress passed 15 major pieces of New Deal legislation, which greatly increased the national government's power in the economy. He also closed all banks, and had their status inspected. Those that were fine reopened, those that needed help received loans, and those who were insolvent stayed closed.

6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant?
FDR's fireside chats were significant because they explained his actions and his New Deal to the people, gave them advice on how they could help save the economy, and also gave them hope and restored confidence.

7. Describe four significant agencies and/or bills that tightened regulation of banking and finance.

The Glass-Steagall Act of 1933 established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). It provided federal insurance to individual bank accounts for up to $5000.

The Federal Securities Act, passed in May of 1933, required businesses to supply complete information about all stock offerings and to be help accountable for misinterpretations.

The Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) was created by Congress to regulate the stock market.

Allowed the sale of alcohol and placed a tax on alcohol to raise the tax revenue.

: Causes & Early Effects of the Great Depression

1. What happened on "Black Tuesday"?
On "Black Tuesday," stock holders frantically tried to sell their shares before prices fell even lower, and on that day 16.4 million shares were dumped.

2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression? (Make sure you include significant details about each area in your answer. It should be at least a paragraph)


3. According to your reading, what are the major causes of the Great Depression?
The stock market crash was a cause of the Great Depression. Also, banks that had money invested in the stock market lost money and went out of business, so many people lost the money in their accounts that was held at those banks. Other businesses failed as well; about 90,000 businesses went bankrupt. As a result, many people lost their jobs, and the unemployment rate went up to 25 percent. Some of the main reasons, according to teh reading, were tariffs hindering American trade, unequal distribution of income, availability of easy credit, and a crisis in the farm sector.

4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
Hoover believed that one of the main functions of government was to maintatin cooperation between competing groups and interests in society. He believed that, if htere were an issue, the government would step in and bring the two sides to cooperate voluntarily. He did not believe goverment should force cooperation, just encourage and facilitate it.

5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
Hoover's initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929 was to be cautious and call together professionals to cooperate and help find a solution. He also requested that companies and laborers do not do anything to make the impact worse, like cutting wages, or going on strike for higher wages. He also created an organization to raise donations for poor people.

6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
The nation's economic situation in 1930 was disastrous. Farmers refused to work their fields and sell their crops for such a low price, and people blocked food shipments in attempt to raise food prices and profits. Everyone blamed Hoover and began to hate him. The victims of poverty gave the things they used to survive without a home nicknames after Hoover.

7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
Voters in 1930 responded by blaming Hoover for the situation, and democrats took advantage of the people's anger towards Hoover by campaigning with anti-Hoover ideas. The democrats won many congressional elections, and the republicans lost their superior numbers in Congress.

8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
Hoover tried to help the economy by making negotiations between organizations to make them cooperate and try to raise prices and profits. He also persuaded large banks to create the National Credit Corporation, which gave loans to smaller banks to help them avoid bankruptcy. When this failed, Hoover passed the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, which lowered mortgage rates for home owners and allowed farmers to refinance their farm loans to avoid foreclosure. His most ambitious measure, though, was the Reconstruction Finance Corporation. It authorized up to $2 billion to be loaned to large corporations to help them pay workers and employ more workers. It was still not enough to save the economy.

9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
His efforts were ineffective to save the economy. His attempts to make companies and organizations cooperate did little to help, and the acts and organizations he passed and created did not have much of a helpful effect. The only thing that came from his attempts was skepticism and anger from the people that disagreed with and blamed him.

The Twenties Woman

1. Note two ways women's fashions changed.
1. They began to dress in felt hats, dresses an inch above the knees, skin toned silk stockings, and beads.

2. They clipped their hair to boyish bobs and dyed it jet black

2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
1. They became assertive and began smoking cigarettes and drinking in public

2. They began to view marriage as an equal partnership.

3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
1. Assertive

2. Rebellious

4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
1. Many became teachers, nurses, and librarians- "women's professions"

2. A few women took jobs that were once men's roles such as flying planes, driving taxis, and drilling oil wells

5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.

1. The birthrate was declining at a faster rate due to more availability of birth control methods

2. Stores had items that made house life easier like ready made clothes, sliced bread, and canned food

6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.

1. Women discovered the struggles of juggling work and family

2. Rebellious children

Americans Struggle with Postwar Issues

After World War I, many Americans feared that Communists would take over the country.

1. How did the Justice Department under A. Mitchell Palmer respond to this fear?

He hired assistants and they hunted down the potential "communists."

2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?

He found no evidence and people began to doubt his efforts, and thought he was just trying to look good for his campaign.

3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?

The KKK used the scare of communism as an excuse to attack immigrants and foreigners to drive them out of the country.

4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?

They eventually lost power because of their criminal acts.

5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
The Red Scare created a lot of fear of immigrants, and Socco and Vanzetti were both immigrants. Therefore, they were accused of murder and sentenced to death, even though the evidence was circumstantial and not clear proof.

Public opinion turned against labor unions as many Americans came to believe that unions encouraged communism.

6. Why was the strike by Boston police unpopular with the public?

Because they believe the strike encouraged anarchy and communism, and were against it.

7. Why did Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge become so popular?

Because he stopped the Boston police strike, and therefore people believed he stopped anarchy and communism.

8. Why was the strike at U.S. Steel unpopular?

Because propaganda was released linking them to Communists.

9. How did President Wilson respond to the steel strike?

He made a written plea to the "negotiators" to settle on something and end the strike.