1. Regardless of the outcome, should the President of the United States have a right to privacy in regards to the Oval Office tapes? Explain.
No, I do not think that the President should have the right to keep the tapes, especially because they were evidence of the Watergate scandal. If Nixon truly had not been a part of the Watergate Scandal then he wouldn't have objected as much to showing them to the supreme court. I think that the president should have a right to keep certain articles private, but if it is a mnatter of national security, then I think exceptions should be made.
2. Was President Nixon justified when he fired special prosecutor Archibald Cox? Explain.
No, Nixon was not justified in firing Archibald Cox because he was only doing it to prevent any more of the tapes being given to the Supreme Court. Nixon claimed that they were a matter of national security, and so he offered to provide a summary of the rest of the tapes (only eight had been given up by Nixon); however, Archibald said that that would not be suffiecient.
3. Was Nixon creating a Constitutional crisis by refusing to hand-over the tapes? Explain.
Yes because the president is entitled to the right to privacy, but since he refused to hand over the tapes it became an issue of national security.
4. Why do you think the American public was so outraged by Watergate?
Because the president had lied to the country, he had knowingly violated the law, and participated in the cover up of Watergate.
5. Do you think President Nixon should have resigned? Explain.
Yes because he would have been impeached by the Supreme court for obstructing justice, defying Judiciary Commitee subpoenas an misusing the presedential power to violate the constitutional rights of US citizens.
6. Do you think President Nixon should have been prosecuted? Explain.
Yes i think Nixon should have been prosecuted. If he had come clean about his crimes in the beginning I think that he wouldn't have needed to step down, but even at the very end he insisyed he was innocent.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Watergate: Nixon's Downfall
1. How were the "plumbers" connected to President Nixon? They worked for Nixon, they made sure government secrets did not get out. They were the ones that broke in Watergate. they also tried to find unflattering secrets about people who were against him.
2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?
John Sirica was the judge. He handed out maximum sentences because he thought the men had not acted alone.
3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?Mitchell was Nixon's former attorney general. Dean was on the presidential counsel.
4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?White house cheif of staff, chief domestic advisor.
5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?
a. Dean-revelaed that Nixon had been deeply involved in the cover-up.
b. Butterfield-revelaed Nixon had taped nearly all of his presidential conversations.
6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "massacre"? Atoorney General Richardson
7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts? beacuse they had been edited and contained large gaps.
8. What did the tapes reveal? Nixon had known about the memebers of his adminsitration's involovement in the burglary, he also agrred to the plan to obstruct the FBI's investigation.
9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign? he had accepted bribes from engineering firms while he had been Governor of Maryland.
10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?
11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?
2. Who was the judge? Why did he hand out maximum sentences?
John Sirica was the judge. He handed out maximum sentences because he thought the men had not acted alone.
3. How were Mitchell and Dean connected to Nixon?Mitchell was Nixon's former attorney general. Dean was on the presidential counsel.
4. How were Haldeman and Erlichman connected to Nixon?White house cheif of staff, chief domestic advisor.
5. What did the following men tell the Senate about Nixon?
a. Dean-revelaed that Nixon had been deeply involved in the cover-up.
b. Butterfield-revelaed Nixon had taped nearly all of his presidential conversations.
6. Who was fired or forced to resign in the "massacre"? Atoorney General Richardson
7. Why weren't investigators satisified with the transcripts? beacuse they had been edited and contained large gaps.
8. What did the tapes reveal? Nixon had known about the memebers of his adminsitration's involovement in the burglary, he also agrred to the plan to obstruct the FBI's investigation.
9. Why did Vice President Spiro Agnew resign? he had accepted bribes from engineering firms while he had been Governor of Maryland.
10. What did the House Judiciary Committee charge President Nixon with?
11. How did the Watergate scandal create a constitutional crisis?
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Women Fight for Equality
1. Experiences In the Workplace
Once women realized the descrimination they faced in the workplace from their employers, they were motivated to further the feminist to reach the goal of complete equality to men.
2. Experiences in social activism
When women as a collective began to realize that the discrimination they faced when attempting to become involved in social activism, they realized that their cases were not isolated issues, but evidence of a large scale sexism which the country was facing.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Many groups, such as the NOW, were formed around this time in order to make the cause of feminism more widespread and more relevant in legslation. Their passionate activism helped get legislation passed which banned the descrimination of gender when hireing for jobs, and made the cause more widespread and organized.
4. Feminism
All of the previously listed factors went into making the feminst movement very wide spread. Women were realizing what they had been denied, and fought to get it.
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
This magazine was very popular with women, and intensified women's desire for men and women's equal rights.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act was the result of the hard work of many feminist activists and officialy made it illegal to descriminate based on gender. It was a major victory for the feminist movemnet.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
This foundadition helped increase awareness for the feminist movement and fought hard for pro-feminist legislation.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Steinem and her magazine were more factors which gained support and awareness for the feminist cause. The major boost in awareness for the cause during this time is what fuled the pro-faminist legislation which was passed.
9. Congress
Congress passed legislation which helped the feminist cause, including the Civil Rights act.
10. Supreme Court
At this time the Supreme Court began to make pro-feminist rulings which were major victories for the cause.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
Extreme conservatives and sexist people opposed this movement because they saw the way of life which they invisioned being lost. The traditional lifestyle of a woman's place being at the home and a man's place being at work was fading and it scared them.
Once women realized the descrimination they faced in the workplace from their employers, they were motivated to further the feminist to reach the goal of complete equality to men.
2. Experiences in social activism
When women as a collective began to realize that the discrimination they faced when attempting to become involved in social activism, they realized that their cases were not isolated issues, but evidence of a large scale sexism which the country was facing.
3. "Consciousness raising"
Many groups, such as the NOW, were formed around this time in order to make the cause of feminism more widespread and more relevant in legslation. Their passionate activism helped get legislation passed which banned the descrimination of gender when hireing for jobs, and made the cause more widespread and organized.
4. Feminism
All of the previously listed factors went into making the feminst movement very wide spread. Women were realizing what they had been denied, and fought to get it.
5. Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique
This magazine was very popular with women, and intensified women's desire for men and women's equal rights.
6. Civil Rights Act of 1964
This act was the result of the hard work of many feminist activists and officialy made it illegal to descriminate based on gender. It was a major victory for the feminist movemnet.
7. National Organization for Women (NOW)
This foundadition helped increase awareness for the feminist movement and fought hard for pro-feminist legislation.
8. Gloria Steinem and Ms. Magazine
Steinem and her magazine were more factors which gained support and awareness for the feminist cause. The major boost in awareness for the cause during this time is what fuled the pro-faminist legislation which was passed.
9. Congress
Congress passed legislation which helped the feminist cause, including the Civil Rights act.
10. Supreme Court
At this time the Supreme Court began to make pro-feminist rulings which were major victories for the cause.
11. The Equal rights Amendment would have guaranteed equal rights under the law, regardless of gender. Who opposed this amendment? Why?
Extreme conservatives and sexist people opposed this movement because they saw the way of life which they invisioned being lost. The traditional lifestyle of a woman's place being at the home and a man's place being at work was fading and it scared them.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
The U.S. struggles against the Communist in Vietnam
2. Now write up your answer. Use this structure:
a. The U.S. weaknesses were: soldiers was afraid of ambushes by Viet Cong, and nor did they have the support of vietnam. it costed 400,000 dollars to kill one Viet Cong solider, and the US spent 20 billion on the war every year.
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were: The determination they had to win because America constantly tried to close the supply routes to North Vietnam,but Viet COng did everything in itss power to keep them open, because they were what Viet Cognwwas supplied with.
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example: Operation Rolling Thuder was somewhat effecgive, but it killed many citizens. It damaged NV supply routes and war effoert, and it enabled the US to attack Communists.
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were: The My Lai Massacre, which went unoticed for some time, but the leader of the force was sentenced to 20 years of hard labor. America lost a lot of support from vietnam, and Americans were beginning to critcize the war.
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:The Tet Offensive, which was a failure because the communist had hoped that the people of South Vietnam would rise up and join them, but they did not. They lost 10,000 fighters, which was a heavy blow for them.
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be [Insert weakness here] because: Inexperienced fighters, because LJ had to draft many soliders, which only got him more protests from America, he lost support quickly. INexperineced soldiers had lower morale because they were sent to start fighting in Vietnam, and they were expecting to earn glory.
h. The key Viet Cong strength was [Insert strength here] because:
the use of guerilla tactics, because they were efffectively used to lower the morale of American troops.
a. The U.S. weaknesses were: soldiers was afraid of ambushes by Viet Cong, and nor did they have the support of vietnam. it costed 400,000 dollars to kill one Viet Cong solider, and the US spent 20 billion on the war every year.
b. At the same time, the Communist strengths were: The determination they had to win because America constantly tried to close the supply routes to North Vietnam,but Viet COng did everything in itss power to keep them open, because they were what Viet Cognwwas supplied with.
c. The U.S. forces did have some successes. For example: Operation Rolling Thuder was somewhat effecgive, but it killed many citizens. It damaged NV supply routes and war effoert, and it enabled the US to attack Communists.
d. However, there were some major failures as well. Examples of these were: The My Lai Massacre, which went unoticed for some time, but the leader of the force was sentenced to 20 years of hard labor. America lost a lot of support from vietnam, and Americans were beginning to critcize the war.
e. The Viet Cong had some major successes, such as:
f. However, they also suffered defeats, for example:The Tet Offensive, which was a failure because the communist had hoped that the people of South Vietnam would rise up and join them, but they did not. They lost 10,000 fighters, which was a heavy blow for them.
g. If I had to identify one major American weakness, it would be [Insert weakness here] because: Inexperienced fighters, because LJ had to draft many soliders, which only got him more protests from America, he lost support quickly. INexperineced soldiers had lower morale because they were sent to start fighting in Vietnam, and they were expecting to earn glory.
h. The key Viet Cong strength was [Insert strength here] because:
the use of guerilla tactics, because they were efffectively used to lower the morale of American troops.
Thursday, April 29, 2010
the U.S. Enters the Vietnam War
1. Many neutral observers in Vietnam were critical of US policy. Explain why.
Because the citizens of Vietnam were also being attacked. The bombings, chemical warfare, and search and destroy tactics were used.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
The effects of ending communism in Vietnam would have outweighed to negative effects.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
(1963) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president (Military Involvement)
(1955) Formation of South Vietnam (Political Involvement)
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident (Military)
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500 (Military)
(1962) JFK sends military advisers (Military)
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang (Military)
(1955) U.S. stops elections in Vietnamc(Political)
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem (Financial)
(1960) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases (Military)
(1960) Viet Cong formed (Military)
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Because the citizens of Vietnam were also being attacked. The bombings, chemical warfare, and search and destroy tactics were used.
2. Explain how US politicians would have defended their policies.
The effects of ending communism in Vietnam would have outweighed to negative effects.
3. The following events are not listed in correct date order. Place them in the correct chronological order. (Write the year inside the parenthesis, i.e. (1965). Then note the reason for each U.S. action, and how it brought the U.S. into deeper involvement in Vietnam.
The reasons you can choose from are: No direct involvement; financial support; political involvement; military involvement. Also, note what events triggered the increased involvement.
(1963) Assassination of JFK - Johnson becomes president (Military Involvement)
(1955) Formation of South Vietnam (Political Involvement)
(1964) Gulf of Tonkin Incident (Military)
(1962) Number of 'advisers' reaches over 11,500 (Military)
(1962) JFK sends military advisers (Military)
(1965) U.S. Marines land at Da Nang (Military)
(1955) U.S. stops elections in Vietnamc(Political)
(1963) U.S. supports South Vietnam government after army overthrow Diem (Financial)
(1960) Viet Cong attacks on U.S. and South Vietnam bases (Military)
(1960) Viet Cong formed (Military)
4. Choose two events that you think were critical in getting the U.S. involved in a war in Vietnam. Explain
your choice.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Eisenhower & The Cold War
1. The Soviet Union exploded its first atomic bomb in 1949.
President Truman had to decide whether or not to create an even more powerful weapon. Scientists argued over whether or not to create the H-Bomb (hydrogen bomb, and the creation of the bomb presented many moral issues. The US created one a year before the Soviets.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
US feared that the British protesting against Iranian government control of oil might force Iran to side with the USSR and go Communist. US gave several million dollars to anti-Mossagedh suuportes, in order to put the old Shah back in power.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The CIA trained an army to invade Guatemala, the Guatemalans refused to prtect the president, so he resigned. The leader of the army became the new dictator of the country.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The UN persuaded Britain, France, and Israel to back down from the fight, but allowed Egypt to keep control of the canal
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
US did nothing to help Hungary, despite the Truman Doctrine, which promised to fight against Communism in any country that did not want it.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
Americans were upset at being beaten by the Soviets, and hastely poured money into their own programs.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
Eisenhower refused to admit that U2 had been spying on the Soviets, would not give an apology to Khrushchev, and so Khrushchev took back his invitation to let the president visit the USSR. Tensions heightened between the two nations.
President Truman had to decide whether or not to create an even more powerful weapon. Scientists argued over whether or not to create the H-Bomb (hydrogen bomb, and the creation of the bomb presented many moral issues. The US created one a year before the Soviets.
2. In 1951, the Iranian prime minister placed the oil industry in Iran under the Iranian government’s control.
US feared that the British protesting against Iranian government control of oil might force Iran to side with the USSR and go Communist. US gave several million dollars to anti-Mossagedh suuportes, in order to put the old Shah back in power.
3. The Guatemalan head of government gave American-owned land in Guatemala to peasants.
The CIA trained an army to invade Guatemala, the Guatemalans refused to prtect the president, so he resigned. The leader of the army became the new dictator of the country.
4. In 1956, Britain, France, and Israel invaded Egypt and occupied the Suez Canal.
The UN persuaded Britain, France, and Israel to back down from the fight, but allowed Egypt to keep control of the canal
5. Soviet tanks invaded Hungary and fired on protesters in 1956.
US did nothing to help Hungary, despite the Truman Doctrine, which promised to fight against Communism in any country that did not want it.
6. In 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik.
Americans were upset at being beaten by the Soviets, and hastely poured money into their own programs.
7. In 1960, the Soviet Union brought down an American U-2 piloted by Francis Gary Powers.
Eisenhower refused to admit that U2 had been spying on the Soviets, would not give an apology to Khrushchev, and so Khrushchev took back his invitation to let the president visit the USSR. Tensions heightened between the two nations.
Monday, April 5, 2010
The Red Scare (1950's)
1. HUAC-"House Un-American Activities Committee"investigated Communist influences in the movie industry. Believed Communists were sneaking propoganda into films.
2. Blacklist-list of people condemned in Hollywood for having a Communist background.
3. Alger Hiss-Accused by a former Communist spy for espionage, government did not charge him with espionage but with perjury, Nixon persued the case, garnering favor with America.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg-minor activists in American Communist Party. Denied charges against them for being communist(pleaded the fifth amendment. Found guilty of espionage sentenced to death.
5. Joseph McCarthy-republican from Wisconsin, reputation for being an ineffective legislator. Made unsupported accusations on suspected Communists.
6. McCarthyism-Term used for attacks on commusints.
7.Joseph McCarthy wanted to gain popularity inorder to be reelected. He decided to say that Communists were taking over the government. He used McCarthyism (accusing people of disloyalty without evidence) and claimed to know people who were communists, but never actually produced a single name. He only accused people in the Senate, because he was immune to being sued by the Senate for slander. The Republican party did nothing to stop him because they believed they would win the 1952 pesedential election if the public viewed them as purging the nation of communists. However, a small group of Republicans did speak out on the issue.
2. Blacklist-list of people condemned in Hollywood for having a Communist background.
3. Alger Hiss-Accused by a former Communist spy for espionage, government did not charge him with espionage but with perjury, Nixon persued the case, garnering favor with America.
4. Ethel and Julius Rosenberg-minor activists in American Communist Party. Denied charges against them for being communist(pleaded the fifth amendment. Found guilty of espionage sentenced to death.
5. Joseph McCarthy-republican from Wisconsin, reputation for being an ineffective legislator. Made unsupported accusations on suspected Communists.
6. McCarthyism-Term used for attacks on commusints.
7.Joseph McCarthy wanted to gain popularity inorder to be reelected. He decided to say that Communists were taking over the government. He used McCarthyism (accusing people of disloyalty without evidence) and claimed to know people who were communists, but never actually produced a single name. He only accused people in the Senate, because he was immune to being sued by the Senate for slander. The Republican party did nothing to stop him because they believed they would win the 1952 pesedential election if the public viewed them as purging the nation of communists. However, a small group of Republicans did speak out on the issue.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Korean War Lesson
Dear Mr.Prez,
Because you are taking President Truman's position, you must become aware of the US's current position. Here is a short summary; Communism must be kept out of Korea, our goals have been partially accomplished, because we have managed to keep communism out of southern Korea.However, we have been unsuccessfull in infiltrating North Korea, which the Chinese have allied. General MacArthur also underestimated their strength, so soemthing must be done about that situation.President Truman felt as though saving South Korea from communism was a good enough success. Unfortunately, MacArthur ignored orders not to fight, and as a result of this, Truman saw fit to send him back to the US in order to avoid an unessesceary war. Containment did not succeed, and if we had attacked China, we surely would have lost many soldiers.
Because you are taking President Truman's position, you must become aware of the US's current position. Here is a short summary; Communism must be kept out of Korea, our goals have been partially accomplished, because we have managed to keep communism out of southern Korea.However, we have been unsuccessfull in infiltrating North Korea, which the Chinese have allied. General MacArthur also underestimated their strength, so soemthing must be done about that situation.President Truman felt as though saving South Korea from communism was a good enough success. Unfortunately, MacArthur ignored orders not to fight, and as a result of this, Truman saw fit to send him back to the US in order to avoid an unessesceary war. Containment did not succeed, and if we had attacked China, we surely would have lost many soldiers.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
War in the Pacific
1. What was the importance of the Battle of Midway?
The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the pacific war, the Allies won their territory back from the Japanese island by island. The Allies were moving closer to Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
Getting their territory back by "island hopping."
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
If the U.S. took Iwo Jima it would be critical as a base so the U.S. bombers could easily reach Japan. The Japanese wanted to fight and win this battle especially to prevent this from happening.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
Because the Allies now saw how the Japanese fought using kamikazes and withstanding many casualties.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The development of the atomic bomb.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman thought it would end the war
The Battle of Midway was a turning point in the pacific war, the Allies won their territory back from the Japanese island by island. The Allies were moving closer to Japan.
2. What strategy did the United States adopt in fighting Japan?
Getting their territory back by "island hopping."
3. Why did the Japanese fight so hard on Iwo Jima?
If the U.S. took Iwo Jima it would be critical as a base so the U.S. bombers could easily reach Japan. The Japanese wanted to fight and win this battle especially to prevent this from happening.
4. Why did the Allies believe Okinawa was a foretaste of an invasion of Japan?
Because the Allies now saw how the Japanese fought using kamikazes and withstanding many casualties.
5. What was the Manhattan Project?
The development of the atomic bomb.
6. Ultimately, why did President Truman decide to drop atomic bombs on Japan?
President Truman thought it would end the war
Monday, March 8, 2010
War for Europe & North Africa
1. To what did Roosevelt and Churchill agree early in the war?
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed on the strike against Hitler, and they also thought that Germany and Italy posed a much greater threat than Japan.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Because britain depended on the supplies from America, and if Hitler had cut of that path the Allies would have been forced into submission and be DOOMED!
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
After the Soviet Union won, they were able to move West towards Germany (it was also the turning point in the war)
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
Stalin thought if Great Britain and America opened a second front across the English Channel it would force Hitler to split troops from the Soviet front. Churchill and Roosevelt didn't think that the Allies had enough troops to attempt invasion in Europe. Instead they launched Operation Torch, an invasion of Axis controlled North Africa. Many Allied troops invaded and went eastward. After months of heavy fighting, the Africa Korps. surrendered.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy
Roosevelt and Churchill agreed on the strike against Hitler, and they also thought that Germany and Italy posed a much greater threat than Japan.
2. Why was winning the Battle of the Atlantic so crucial to the fortunes of the Allies?
Because britain depended on the supplies from America, and if Hitler had cut of that path the Allies would have been forced into submission and be DOOMED!
3. Why was the Battle of Stalingrad so important?
After the Soviet Union won, they were able to move West towards Germany (it was also the turning point in the war)
4. What happened in the war in North Africa?
Stalin thought if Great Britain and America opened a second front across the English Channel it would force Hitler to split troops from the Soviet front. Churchill and Roosevelt didn't think that the Allies had enough troops to attempt invasion in Europe. Instead they launched Operation Torch, an invasion of Axis controlled North Africa. Many Allied troops invaded and went eastward. After months of heavy fighting, the Africa Korps. surrendered.
5. What happened after the Allies invaded Italy
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Mobilizing for WWII
1. Selective Service System-pprovided ten million soldiers for the armed forces.
2. Women-Women joined the war effort because the need was great, the force was called the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corp.
3. Minorities-There was discrimination against minorities, but they joined the war effort as well.
4. Manufacturers-Many manufacturers started building machines or technologies meant solely for the purpose of war. Automobile factories began building tanks, or planes.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)-They researched ways to improve war technologies and life for the soldiers. They created many new drugs.
6 Entertainment industry-They made a lot of propganda to encourage people to join the war effort.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)-fought inflation, but freezing the price of goods, taxes were raised and rationed food.
8. War Production Board (WPB)-rationed food and materials so that the rest could go to the soldiers
9. Rationing-apportioned amounts of goods so that what had been set aside could be given to soldiers.
2. Women-Women joined the war effort because the need was great, the force was called the Woman's Auxiliary Army Corp.
3. Minorities-There was discrimination against minorities, but they joined the war effort as well.
4. Manufacturers-Many manufacturers started building machines or technologies meant solely for the purpose of war. Automobile factories began building tanks, or planes.
5. Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD)-They researched ways to improve war technologies and life for the soldiers. They created many new drugs.
6 Entertainment industry-They made a lot of propganda to encourage people to join the war effort.
7. Office of Price Administration (OPA)-fought inflation, but freezing the price of goods, taxes were raised and rationed food.
8. War Production Board (WPB)-rationed food and materials so that the rest could go to the soldiers
9. Rationing-apportioned amounts of goods so that what had been set aside could be given to soldiers.
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
World Events Set Stage for Isolationism
1. What was the Japanese reaction to the Treaty of Versailles? (pgs. 4 - 5)
Japan was split fifty-fifty on the Treaty of Versailles because some people believed that supporting the nations would lead to greater wealth, resources, and economy for Japan. Others thought that it was a mistake because they thought that japan would never be treated with respect by the other nations, and that they would only be a second tier power. Japan also experienced multiple problems with racism. During the Paris Conference there were a few instances when delegates made racist comments. The Japanese saw the conference as a way to amend this situation. They tried to make a racial equality amendment at the Peace Conference, but the US and other contries felt uneasy about this. Asian immigrants in the US were discriminated against in America as well. Because the amendement did not pass, Japan said that it would be less inclined to listen to the League of Nations and the US's proposals in the future.
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 had modeled its banking system after the US's, its navy off of Britains, and its constitution after Prussias. These were essentially the best traits of each nation, and Japan's domestic products increased by 3 times and its manufacturing and mining by 6 times. Japan won the Russo-Japanese war against Russia and was given parts of Manchuria. They annexed Korea in 1910. The Japanese felt America was becoming a threat because of its expansion into the Pacific islands (Guam, Hawaii, the Philipinnes).
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)
9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism. (pg. 8)
POSTED BY MR. HYER AT 1:16 PM
Japan was split fifty-fifty on the Treaty of Versailles because some people believed that supporting the nations would lead to greater wealth, resources, and economy for Japan. Others thought that it was a mistake because they thought that japan would never be treated with respect by the other nations, and that they would only be a second tier power. Japan also experienced multiple problems with racism. During the Paris Conference there were a few instances when delegates made racist comments. The Japanese saw the conference as a way to amend this situation. They tried to make a racial equality amendment at the Peace Conference, but the US and other contries felt uneasy about this. Asian immigrants in the US were discriminated against in America as well. Because the amendement did not pass, Japan said that it would be less inclined to listen to the League of Nations and the US's proposals in the future.
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 had modeled its banking system after the US's, its navy off of Britains, and its constitution after Prussias. These were essentially the best traits of each nation, and Japan's domestic products increased by 3 times and its manufacturing and mining by 6 times. Japan won the Russo-Japanese war against Russia and was given parts of Manchuria. They annexed Korea in 1910. The Japanese felt America was becoming a threat because of its expansion into the Pacific islands (Guam, Hawaii, the Philipinnes).
3. Why was the Washington Naval Conference convened and what was accomplished? (pg. 6) (Note: Japan signs the agreement.)
4. The Senate's willingness to ratify the Kellogg-Briand Pact relected two strong and widely held sentiments. What were they? (pgs. 6 - 7)
5. Why did Hitler enjoy popular support in Germany for most of the 1930s? Give three reasons. (pgs. 9 - 10)
6. Japan voiced its intentions to invade China for what two reasons? (pg. 10)
7. Compare the Reichstag fire and the explosion on the Japanese railway in Manchuria. What did they accompllish?
8. Why was the united States unable to oppose Japan in the early 1930s with a significant military force? (pgs. 11 - 12)
9. Describe the major similarities and differences among liberal democracy, fascism, and socialism. (pg. 8)
POSTED BY MR. HYER AT 1:16 PM
Sunday, February 7, 2010
New Deal Essay Outline
How, and with what success did the United States try to solve the problems caused by the great Depression?
Thesis: The United States made many attempts and tried very hard to solve the problems of the Great Depression, through the New Deal, FDR created many remedies to solve the issues of the Great Depresssion, which were the poor state of the economy, relief for the impoverished, and financial reform. Most of the solutions were hard on taxpayers, and had many critics the main ones were "Federal emergency relief administartion" program, The AAA, and the NRA. The United States was unseccesfull in ending the Great Depression, so they had little success in reducing the turmoil the Great Depression had caused.
Main Point 1: The Federal Emergency Relief Administration was unsuccesfull
-It was costly
-It Limited the long term benefits
-1 billion was spent in the first five months of the CWA (civil worker's administration)
Main Point 2: The AAA did more damage then help because of the waste and farmers put out of work.
-The First AAA bill (1933) declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
-government was taxing processors and giving money back to farmers.
-Millions of hogs and other products went to waste. 10 million acres of cotton crop plowed under at the cost of $200 million.
-Modernization put some farmers out of work
Main Point 3:The NRA
-As businesses got concessions, workers then sought them as well. (Wagner Act).
-Businesses and politicians critical because of too much government control of free market.
-Later ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
FDR was successfull at coming up with programs to help remedy the damage of the Great Depression, but the programs usually backfired in some way (to much of the taxpayer's money, unconstitutional, etc.) making the government unsuccesful in solving the problems of the great depression.
Thesis: The United States made many attempts and tried very hard to solve the problems of the Great Depression, through the New Deal, FDR created many remedies to solve the issues of the Great Depresssion, which were the poor state of the economy, relief for the impoverished, and financial reform. Most of the solutions were hard on taxpayers, and had many critics the main ones were "Federal emergency relief administartion" program, The AAA, and the NRA. The United States was unseccesfull in ending the Great Depression, so they had little success in reducing the turmoil the Great Depression had caused.
Main Point 1: The Federal Emergency Relief Administration was unsuccesfull
-It was costly
-It Limited the long term benefits
-1 billion was spent in the first five months of the CWA (civil worker's administration)
Main Point 2: The AAA did more damage then help because of the waste and farmers put out of work.
-The First AAA bill (1933) declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
-government was taxing processors and giving money back to farmers.
-Millions of hogs and other products went to waste. 10 million acres of cotton crop plowed under at the cost of $200 million.
-Modernization put some farmers out of work
Main Point 3:The NRA
-As businesses got concessions, workers then sought them as well. (Wagner Act).
-Businesses and politicians critical because of too much government control of free market.
-Later ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
FDR was successfull at coming up with programs to help remedy the damage of the Great Depression, but the programs usually backfired in some way (to much of the taxpayer's money, unconstitutional, etc.) making the government unsuccesful in solving the problems of the great depression.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
FDR & The New Deal
1. Describe how people struggled to survive during the depression.
Many people had to go to soup kitchens for something to eat because it costed little. since people had lost their jobs they were kicked out of their homes and forced to live on the street. People also lived in Shantytowns, which were areas that had a lot of shacks in them. The shacks were made out of whatever peolple could find. There was also a lot of racial violence, and people who were of Latino or African American race were deported, even though most of them had been born in the US.
Many farmers could provide for their families becasue they could grow food, but some were kicked out of their land.
2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?
Many women were against begging becuase they did not waqnt to advertise their poverty. Instead, they sewed clothes and managed tthe household budget. Some women had jobs but they were against it becasue there were so many unemployed men. Men lost there jobs during the great depression, when they couldnt find work,, some even left there families. Children were often malnourished and sick, so school was shortened for them. Teenagers would travel around trying to find jobs and work in sweatshops to help support there families.
3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The dust bowl was where farmers had gotten rid of a protective layer of dirt with tractors in preparation for growing crops there. this loosened the dirt and wind swept it hundreds of miles. Many farmers had to leave for california in order to find jobs for there families after this point.
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 was a program FDR devised to target the main problems of the depression and alleviate them;relief for the needy, economic recovery, and financial reform.
5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?
Congress passed more than 15 major pieces of New Deal legislation. These laws expanded the federal government's role in the nation's economy.
Roosevelt declared a bank holiday to prevent further withdrawals. He persuaded congress to pass the Emergency Banking Relief Act which authorized the Treasury Department to inspect the country's banks. Banks that were stable reopened, the ones that were not stayed closed.
6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant? These were important because it seemed like FDR was directly talking with the people. The New Deal was explained in an easy to understend vvocabulary so that evertone could understand what the new deal was and how it planned to work. It brought America closer toegether as a whole becasue everyone could understand what was going on and the information was easy to access
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 which provided federal insurance for individual bank accounts, reassuring millions of bank customers that their money was safe.
The Federal Securities Act of 1933 required corporations to provide complete information on all stock offerings and made them liable for any misrepresentations.
In June of 1934, Congress created the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate the stock market. One goal of this commission was to prevent people with inside information about companies from rigging the stock market for their own profit
Many people had to go to soup kitchens for something to eat because it costed little. since people had lost their jobs they were kicked out of their homes and forced to live on the street. People also lived in Shantytowns, which were areas that had a lot of shacks in them. The shacks were made out of whatever peolple could find. There was also a lot of racial violence, and people who were of Latino or African American race were deported, even though most of them had been born in the US.
Many farmers could provide for their families becasue they could grow food, but some were kicked out of their land.
2. How was what happened to men during the Great Depression different from what happened to women? Children?
Many women were against begging becuase they did not waqnt to advertise their poverty. Instead, they sewed clothes and managed tthe household budget. Some women had jobs but they were against it becasue there were so many unemployed men. Men lost there jobs during the great depression, when they couldnt find work,, some even left there families. Children were often malnourished and sick, so school was shortened for them. Teenagers would travel around trying to find jobs and work in sweatshops to help support there families.
3. Describe the causes and effects (on people) because of the Dust Bowl.
The dust bowl was where farmers had gotten rid of a protective layer of dirt with tractors in preparation for growing crops there. this loosened the dirt and wind swept it hundreds of miles. Many farmers had to leave for california in order to find jobs for there families after this point.
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 was a program FDR devised to target the main problems of the depression and alleviate them;relief for the needy, economic recovery, and financial reform.
5. What did Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days?
Congress passed more than 15 major pieces of New Deal legislation. These laws expanded the federal government's role in the nation's economy.
Roosevelt declared a bank holiday to prevent further withdrawals. He persuaded congress to pass the Emergency Banking Relief Act which authorized the Treasury Department to inspect the country's banks. Banks that were stable reopened, the ones that were not stayed closed.
6. Why were Roosevelt's fireside chats significant? These were important because it seemed like FDR was directly talking with the people. The New Deal was explained in an easy to understend vvocabulary so that evertone could understand what the new deal was and how it planned to work. It brought America closer toegether as a whole becasue everyone could understand what was going on and the information was easy to access
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 which provided federal insurance for individual bank accounts, reassuring millions of bank customers that their money was safe.
The Federal Securities Act of 1933 required corporations to provide complete information on all stock offerings and made them liable for any misrepresentations.
In June of 1934, Congress created the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate the stock market. One goal of this commission was to prevent people with inside information about companies from rigging the stock market for their own profit
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Causes of the Great Depression Outline
To what extent was the Wall Street Crash a cause of the Great Depression of 1929? Support your argument with specific examples.
Thesis-
The Wall Street Crash did not have much of an impact on the Great Depression of 1929; the events that led up to it were the major causes of the Great Depression. The main causes that led up to it were: industries discovering new technologies, farmers who could support themselves because there was no longer a huge need for crops, and consumers having less money to spend. These were bigger factors in the cause of the Great Depression becasue they caused the stock market crash.
Main Point I-Industries were discovering new technologies and other companies fell behind
Evidence I-Industries like the railroads, textiles, and steel were no longer needed,they were losing to the newer technologies like cars, trucks, and buses.
Evidence II-Mining and steel demand had dropped because the war had ended
Evidence III-People were building less houses, and therefore using much less resources.
Evidence IV-Coal had become less popular due to the creation of hydroelectric power, and the discovery of natural gas.
Main Point II-Farmers were in debt because of the war.
Evidence I-Crop prices soared during the war, but fell by 40% after the war.
Evidence II-Farmers had thought that the demand would just keep going up, so they had invested in more land and equipment, but when the demand fell they became bankrupt because they could not afford to pay banks.
Evidence III-Farmers tried to sell more, but this only depressed prices further.
Evidence IV-In turn, banks ran out of money and couldn't pay anyone who wanted to take money out because there had been a big panic to take out as much money as people could before the banks ran out of money.
Main Point III-Consumers had little money and couldn't buy goods.
Evidence I- There wss a big gap between the rich and the poor.
Evidence II-The prices of goods were to expensive for consumers, they also had low incomes.
Evidence III-Consumers were buying on credit, and they could not afford to pay back the debt later.
Conclusion-The Wall Street Crash was the effect of the three main problems with the economy: The new technologies and new developments in transportation made railroad and steel and textile industries lose a lot of profit.Farmers became bankrupt becasuse they could no longer afford to pay back the debt they had earned buying more equipment and land. and consumers could not afford to buy anything because the prices of goods were to expensive and their incomes were to low.
Thesis-
The Wall Street Crash did not have much of an impact on the Great Depression of 1929; the events that led up to it were the major causes of the Great Depression. The main causes that led up to it were: industries discovering new technologies, farmers who could support themselves because there was no longer a huge need for crops, and consumers having less money to spend. These were bigger factors in the cause of the Great Depression becasue they caused the stock market crash.
Main Point I-Industries were discovering new technologies and other companies fell behind
Evidence I-Industries like the railroads, textiles, and steel were no longer needed,they were losing to the newer technologies like cars, trucks, and buses.
Evidence II-Mining and steel demand had dropped because the war had ended
Evidence III-People were building less houses, and therefore using much less resources.
Evidence IV-Coal had become less popular due to the creation of hydroelectric power, and the discovery of natural gas.
Main Point II-Farmers were in debt because of the war.
Evidence I-Crop prices soared during the war, but fell by 40% after the war.
Evidence II-Farmers had thought that the demand would just keep going up, so they had invested in more land and equipment, but when the demand fell they became bankrupt because they could not afford to pay banks.
Evidence III-Farmers tried to sell more, but this only depressed prices further.
Evidence IV-In turn, banks ran out of money and couldn't pay anyone who wanted to take money out because there had been a big panic to take out as much money as people could before the banks ran out of money.
Main Point III-Consumers had little money and couldn't buy goods.
Evidence I- There wss a big gap between the rich and the poor.
Evidence II-The prices of goods were to expensive for consumers, they also had low incomes.
Evidence III-Consumers were buying on credit, and they could not afford to pay back the debt later.
Conclusion-The Wall Street Crash was the effect of the three main problems with the economy: The new technologies and new developments in transportation made railroad and steel and textile industries lose a lot of profit.Farmers became bankrupt becasuse they could no longer afford to pay back the debt they had earned buying more equipment and land. and consumers could not afford to buy anything because the prices of goods were to expensive and their incomes were to low.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Causes & Early Effects of The Great Depression
1.On October 29th, Black Tuesday, the bottom fell out of the market and the nation's confidence collapsed.
2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression?
During WWI, prices rose and international demand for crops like wheat and corn rose. After the war, demand fell and crop prices declined by more than 40%. Many farmers thought that if they increased production of the crops that the prices would go up, but the exact opposite happened. Farm income dropped from $10 billion to $4 billion from 1919-1921. Farmers in debt had difficulty paying it off, causing many rural banks to begin to fail. Congress tried to help with the McNary-Haugen bill which called for federal price-supports for key products like corn, wheat, cotton and tobacco. This meant that the government would buy surplus crops at guaranteed prices and sell them on the world market. President Coolidge vetoed the bill twice.
the Railroads, steel and textile industries were not making much profit. Railroads were losing a lot of business to the newer forms of transportation like trucks, buses and automobiles.Since the newer forms of energy had arisen, coal mining became less needed. One factor that showed how poor the economy was was that the number of houses that were being built had been declining. This had effects on the furniture and lumber industries.
Consumer'sincomes fell and prices rose so they bought fewer things. There was an uneven distribution of income. The gap was widening between the rich and the poor because production expanded faster than wages. Half of the homes in many cities had electric lights or a furnace for heat. One city home in ten had an electric refrigerator. Most americans couldn't fully enjoy the economic advances of the 1920s. During the 1920s, credit was popular, which mean that consumers agreed to buy now and pay later. This created a lot of consumer debt.People decided to join the stock market, but they ignored the risk factor of buying bonds and stocks. People were buying on margin, which meant that they payed a small percentage of a stock's price as a down payment and borrowed the rest. when the people who had bought on margin saw their stock prices declining they were unable to pay it back. In September of 1929 the prices of stocks reached their peak and then hit rock bottom. OOn the 24th of October, the market declined and any investors who had shares sold all of them off.On October 29th, Black Tuesday, the bottom fell out of the markwt and the nation lost all its confidence. Most people who had bought shares were saddled with huge debts. This was the beginning of the Great Depression which lasted a period of 11 years, or from 1929 to 1940.
3.-The Crash of the Stock Market
-Uneven Distribution of Income
-Industries in Debt
-Consumers Having Less Money to Spend
4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
He thought that the governments role was to encourage and facilitate cooperation between competing groups and interests in society. He opposed any form of federal welfare, or direct relief to the needy. He believed that this would weaken people's self-respect.He thought that periods of rapid economic growth were naturally followed by periods of depression. Hoover felt that the government could play a limited role in helping to solve problems.
5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
President Hoover tried to reassure Americans that the nation's economy was okay. He thought that the important thing was for Americans to remain optimistic and to go about their business as usual. Americans believed that this as a normal part of the business cycle. He called together key leaders in the fields of business and banking and labor and urged them to work together to find solutions. He asked the employers not to cut wages of lay off workers and asked labor leaders not to demand higher wages or go on strike.
6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
The economy was still shrinking and unemployment was still rising. Many more companies went out of business.
7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
As the country's economic difficulties kept increasing, the political tide turned against Hoover and the Republicans. Democrats won in the 1930 congressional elections.
8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
The Boulder Dam (the Hoover Dam), was a dam on the Colorado River which provided electricity, flood control and a water supply.
He negotiated agreements among private entities, reflecting his belief in a small government. He backed the creations of the Federal Farm Board which intended to raise crops prices by helping members to buy crops and keep them off the market temporarily until prices rose.
He tried to prop up the banking system by persuading the nations largest banks to establish the National Credit Corporation which loaned money to smaller banks which helped them not go bankrupt.
By late 1931, people could see that what he had done failed to turn the economy around, so Hoover appealed to congress to pass a series of measures to reform banking, provide mortgage relief, and funnel more federal money into business investment. In 1932, Hoover signed the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, which lowered mortgage rates for homeowners and allowed farmers to refinance their farm loans and avoid foreclosure.
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) authorized $2 billion for emergency financing for banks, life insurance companies, railroads and other large businesses. He believed that the money would trickle down to the average citizen
9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
The RFC loaned money to large corporations, but business failures continued. This was an example of federal involvement in a peacetime economy, but it was too late.
2. How did the economic trends of the 1920s in industry, agriculture, and with consumers help cause the Great Depression?
During WWI, prices rose and international demand for crops like wheat and corn rose. After the war, demand fell and crop prices declined by more than 40%. Many farmers thought that if they increased production of the crops that the prices would go up, but the exact opposite happened. Farm income dropped from $10 billion to $4 billion from 1919-1921. Farmers in debt had difficulty paying it off, causing many rural banks to begin to fail. Congress tried to help with the McNary-Haugen bill which called for federal price-supports for key products like corn, wheat, cotton and tobacco. This meant that the government would buy surplus crops at guaranteed prices and sell them on the world market. President Coolidge vetoed the bill twice.
the Railroads, steel and textile industries were not making much profit. Railroads were losing a lot of business to the newer forms of transportation like trucks, buses and automobiles.Since the newer forms of energy had arisen, coal mining became less needed. One factor that showed how poor the economy was was that the number of houses that were being built had been declining. This had effects on the furniture and lumber industries.
Consumer'sincomes fell and prices rose so they bought fewer things. There was an uneven distribution of income. The gap was widening between the rich and the poor because production expanded faster than wages. Half of the homes in many cities had electric lights or a furnace for heat. One city home in ten had an electric refrigerator. Most americans couldn't fully enjoy the economic advances of the 1920s. During the 1920s, credit was popular, which mean that consumers agreed to buy now and pay later. This created a lot of consumer debt.People decided to join the stock market, but they ignored the risk factor of buying bonds and stocks. People were buying on margin, which meant that they payed a small percentage of a stock's price as a down payment and borrowed the rest. when the people who had bought on margin saw their stock prices declining they were unable to pay it back. In September of 1929 the prices of stocks reached their peak and then hit rock bottom. OOn the 24th of October, the market declined and any investors who had shares sold all of them off.On October 29th, Black Tuesday, the bottom fell out of the markwt and the nation lost all its confidence. Most people who had bought shares were saddled with huge debts. This was the beginning of the Great Depression which lasted a period of 11 years, or from 1929 to 1940.
3.-The Crash of the Stock Market
-Uneven Distribution of Income
-Industries in Debt
-Consumers Having Less Money to Spend
4. What was Hoover’s philosophy of government?
He thought that the governments role was to encourage and facilitate cooperation between competing groups and interests in society. He opposed any form of federal welfare, or direct relief to the needy. He believed that this would weaken people's self-respect.He thought that periods of rapid economic growth were naturally followed by periods of depression. Hoover felt that the government could play a limited role in helping to solve problems.
5. What was Hoover’s initial reaction to the stock market crash of 1929?
President Hoover tried to reassure Americans that the nation's economy was okay. He thought that the important thing was for Americans to remain optimistic and to go about their business as usual. Americans believed that this as a normal part of the business cycle. He called together key leaders in the fields of business and banking and labor and urged them to work together to find solutions. He asked the employers not to cut wages of lay off workers and asked labor leaders not to demand higher wages or go on strike.
6. What was the nation’s economic situation in 1930?
The economy was still shrinking and unemployment was still rising. Many more companies went out of business.
7. How did voters in 1930 respond to this situation?
As the country's economic difficulties kept increasing, the political tide turned against Hoover and the Republicans. Democrats won in the 1930 congressional elections.
8. What did Hoover do about the economic situation?
The Boulder Dam (the Hoover Dam), was a dam on the Colorado River which provided electricity, flood control and a water supply.
He negotiated agreements among private entities, reflecting his belief in a small government. He backed the creations of the Federal Farm Board which intended to raise crops prices by helping members to buy crops and keep them off the market temporarily until prices rose.
He tried to prop up the banking system by persuading the nations largest banks to establish the National Credit Corporation which loaned money to smaller banks which helped them not go bankrupt.
By late 1931, people could see that what he had done failed to turn the economy around, so Hoover appealed to congress to pass a series of measures to reform banking, provide mortgage relief, and funnel more federal money into business investment. In 1932, Hoover signed the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, which lowered mortgage rates for homeowners and allowed farmers to refinance their farm loans and avoid foreclosure.
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC) authorized $2 billion for emergency financing for banks, life insurance companies, railroads and other large businesses. He believed that the money would trickle down to the average citizen
9. How did the economy respond to his efforts?
The RFC loaned money to large corporations, but business failures continued. This was an example of federal involvement in a peacetime economy, but it was too late.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Prohibition and the Scopes Trial
The Scopes Trial and the Volstead act were both attempts to reform the American way of life to a more traditional style. The Scopes trial was successful in accomplishing this task, however, the Volstead act wasn't, and the results were much more different from what they had hoped to accomplish.
The Scopes trial, which was about the fact that it was illegal to teach Darwin's theory of evolution in a classroom, brought back more traditional values to the schooling system. It increased upon the importance of the Bible and religion in the daily lives of the American citizen. Religion's importance was not being stressed as much as it had been in past times, such as the two Great Awakenings. This ruling, however, insured that at least in the classroom the Bible's importance would be maintained. This ruleing was likely considered a victory for Americans with more traditional values, and for the time being, proved to be so.
The Volstead act, which made alchohol illegal, was unsuccessful in bringing back traditional values to the daily life of the American citizen, and actually created more moral problems than there were when it was legal. Before the illegalization of alchohol pro-prohibitionists argues that such beverages caused problems in society such as: domestic abuse, poverty, and crime. Once the act was passed, however, those who still wanted to drink badly enough found ways to do so, but they were just behind the collective backs of law enforcement, and much more dangerous. Many created their own alchohol and distributed it illegalily, createing a general lack of respect for the law in the country at the time. Also, people often didn't know what they were doing when they created such beverages, and accidently hurt themselfs in the process. Another problem that the prihibition caused is a major rise in organized crime. "Gansters," as they were called, found that selling alchohol was a very successful way to make money for their gangs, which enabled them to become more powerful. The failure of the prohibition led to it being the first and only Constitutional Amendment in United States history to be repealed.
The Scopes trial, which was about the fact that it was illegal to teach Darwin's theory of evolution in a classroom, brought back more traditional values to the schooling system. It increased upon the importance of the Bible and religion in the daily lives of the American citizen. Religion's importance was not being stressed as much as it had been in past times, such as the two Great Awakenings. This ruling, however, insured that at least in the classroom the Bible's importance would be maintained. This ruleing was likely considered a victory for Americans with more traditional values, and for the time being, proved to be so.
The Volstead act, which made alchohol illegal, was unsuccessful in bringing back traditional values to the daily life of the American citizen, and actually created more moral problems than there were when it was legal. Before the illegalization of alchohol pro-prohibitionists argues that such beverages caused problems in society such as: domestic abuse, poverty, and crime. Once the act was passed, however, those who still wanted to drink badly enough found ways to do so, but they were just behind the collective backs of law enforcement, and much more dangerous. Many created their own alchohol and distributed it illegalily, createing a general lack of respect for the law in the country at the time. Also, people often didn't know what they were doing when they created such beverages, and accidently hurt themselfs in the process. Another problem that the prihibition caused is a major rise in organized crime. "Gansters," as they were called, found that selling alchohol was a very successful way to make money for their gangs, which enabled them to become more powerful. The failure of the prohibition led to it being the first and only Constitutional Amendment in United States history to be repealed.
The Twenties Woman
1. Note two ways women's fashions changed.
Women became known as flapper by embracing new fashions. One way women's fashions changed is cutting their hair into bobs and dying it black. Another example is close fitting hats.
2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
Fighting for the same rights as men is one way how women's social behavior changed. Also, refjecting values of the 19th century is another example.
3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
Women started to become assertive about their rights and soon started doing things like smoking and drinking publically that would have once ruined their reputation.
4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
Job opportunities that opened up for women were teachers, nurses, and librarians.
5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.
Women and men started to view marriage at home to be more of an equal partnership. Another way home and family life improved for women was the children spent less times in factories and more time in school were they were educated and well taken care of.
6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.
Teenagers started to put on an unusual attitude of a rebellious stage. Things like peer pressure started to rise and cause problems as well. The last thing that was a negative effect is was that all of this started to change the modern way of thinking and breaking old traditions
Women became known as flapper by embracing new fashions. One way women's fashions changed is cutting their hair into bobs and dying it black. Another example is close fitting hats.
2. Note two ways women's social behavior changed.
Fighting for the same rights as men is one way how women's social behavior changed. Also, refjecting values of the 19th century is another example.
3. Note two words that describe the attitude reflected by these changes.
Women started to become assertive about their rights and soon started doing things like smoking and drinking publically that would have once ruined their reputation.
4. Note one way women's work opportunities improved.
Job opportunities that opened up for women were teachers, nurses, and librarians.
5. Note two ways women's home and family life improved.
Women and men started to view marriage at home to be more of an equal partnership. Another way home and family life improved for women was the children spent less times in factories and more time in school were they were educated and well taken care of.
6. Note three negative effects that accompanied women's changing roles in the 1920s.
Teenagers started to put on an unusual attitude of a rebellious stage. Things like peer pressure started to rise and cause problems as well. The last thing that was a negative effect is was that all of this started to change the modern way of thinking and breaking old traditions
Monday, January 4, 2010
Americans Struggle With Postwar Issues
1. How did the Justice Department under A. Mitchell Palmer respond to this fear?Mitchell Palmer and his assistant, Hoover, and their agents hunted down suspected communists, socialists and anarchists (who opposed any form of government). They deported many foreign radicals without trials and invaded people's privacy without legal counseling.
2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?
Palmer's raids didn't help find evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy. The public thought that Palmer was just trying to get people to support his presidential aspirations. The public stopped believing Palmer.
3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?
They were extremely prejudiced; they were against blacks, Roman Catholics and Jews and foreign born people. They wanted to drive them out of America. They destroyed saloons and opposed unions.
4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?
The Klan's criminal activity led to a decrease in power.
5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
They were arrested and charged for robbery and murder. It was based on the fact that they were both Italians, which goes along with the Red Scare because the country was against foreign born people. They were sentenced to death.
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?
The Boston police strike was unpopular with the public because if the policemen were on strike, the public safety would be at risk. With the policemen not doing their job, there would be chaos.
7. Why did Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge become so popular?
Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge became so popular because he hired new policemen and the public believed that he saved Boston from communism and anarchy.
8. Why was the strike at U.S. Steel unpopular?
The steel mill strike was unpopular because the strikers were linked to communists.
9. How did President Wilson respond to the steel strike?
President Wilson made a plea to the negotiators (between labor and management). The plea stated that in a time when the world is trying to stay out of war, the industrial workers and leaders should also try to avoid disputes.
2. Why did Palmer eventually lose his standing with the American public?
Palmer's raids didn't help find evidence of a revolutionary conspiracy. The public thought that Palmer was just trying to get people to support his presidential aspirations. The public stopped believing Palmer.
3. How did the Ku Klux Klan respond to this fear?
They were extremely prejudiced; they were against blacks, Roman Catholics and Jews and foreign born people. They wanted to drive them out of America. They destroyed saloons and opposed unions.
4. Why did the Klan eventually lose popularity and membership?
The Klan's criminal activity led to a decrease in power.
5. Briefly describe how Sacco and Vanzetti became victims of the Red Scare.
They were arrested and charged for robbery and murder. It was based on the fact that they were both Italians, which goes along with the Red Scare because the country was against foreign born people. They were sentenced to death.
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?
The Boston police strike was unpopular with the public because if the policemen were on strike, the public safety would be at risk. With the policemen not doing their job, there would be chaos.
7. Why did Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge become so popular?
Massachusetts governor Calvin Coolidge became so popular because he hired new policemen and the public believed that he saved Boston from communism and anarchy.
8. Why was the strike at U.S. Steel unpopular?
The steel mill strike was unpopular because the strikers were linked to communists.
9. How did President Wilson respond to the steel strike?
President Wilson made a plea to the negotiators (between labor and management). The plea stated that in a time when the world is trying to stay out of war, the industrial workers and leaders should also try to avoid disputes.
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