Causes and Responses to Crises
Causes and Responses to Crises
(Causes and Responses to Crises)
Read Americanyawp.com [http://www.americanyawp.com/text/]
–The Great Depression
Read The American Yawp, chapter 23,sections I-concnlusion
1. What were the major causes of the Great Depression (do not include the Stock Market crash in your answer
2. What was the “Bonus Army” and in what way did Hoover’s reaction lead to his defeat in the 1932 presidential election?
1. What were the primary goals of the first hundred days of the New Deal?
2. In what ways did the New Deal hope to aid the South? (you will need to read sections VIII and IX to answer this question)
3.What was the primary focus of the Second New Deal?
4. In what ways did issues of race and gender limit New Deal policies?
–WWII
Read AmericanYawp chapter 24 sections I-VI
1. What national needs led Japan to engage in hostilities in Asia, and ultimately against America?
2.What lessons learned from WWI led Germany to utilize the Blitzkrieg, or lightning war, strategy?
Please write each question using simple English a paragraph with specific details.
Causes and Responses to Crises
The Great Depression
1. Major Causes of the Great Depression (Excluding the Stock Market Crash)
The Great Depression stemmed from deep-rooted economic issues in the 1920s. One major cause was the overproduction of goods in industries like agriculture and manufacturing, which led to a surplus that couldn’t be sold, causing prices to drop and businesses to cut jobs. Another cause was the unequal distribution of wealth; while some Americans prospered, the majority earned low wages, limiting their purchasing power. Additionally, banks engaged in risky lending practices, leading to widespread loan defaults. Finally, international economic struggles, including war debts and high tariffs like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, worsened global trade and financial instability.
2. The “Bonus Army” and Hoover’s Reaction
The Bonus Army was a group of World War I veterans who marched on Washington, D.C., in 1932 to demand early payment of a promised bonus scheduled for 1945. Many veterans were unemployed and struggling due to the Depression. President Hoover responded by ordering the military to disperse the protesters, using tear gas and tanks, which injured veterans and their families. This harsh response made Hoover seem uncaring and contributed to his unpopularity, leading to his overwhelming defeat by Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1932 presidential election.
3. Primary Goals of the “First Hundred Days” of the New Deal
The primary goals of the first hundred days of the New Deal were to provide relief for the unemployed, stimulate economic recovery, and reform the financial system to prevent future crises. Programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) created jobs, while measures such as the Emergency Banking Act stabilized banks. Agencies like the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) aimed to help farmers, and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) supported industrial recovery through fair labor practices.
4. How the New Deal Aided the South
The New Deal focused on modernizing the South, which was one of the poorest regions in the country. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built dams to control flooding and provide electricity, boosting rural economies. Programs like the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) aimed to stabilize crop prices and help farmers. Public works projects improved infrastructure, including roads and schools, helping the South recover and develop.
5. Primary Focus of the Second New Deal
The Second New Deal focused on providing long-term social and economic security. It created programs like the Social Security Act, which provided pensions for the elderly and unemployment insurance. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) offered jobs in public works and the arts. These measures aimed to reduce poverty and inequality, addressing the structural problems of the economy.
6. Race and Gender Limits in New Deal Policies
New Deal policies often excluded or marginalized women and racial minorities. For example, many New Deal job programs prioritized men as breadwinners, leaving women with fewer opportunities. African Americans were often excluded from programs like the Social Security Act due to discriminatory practices, and the sharecropping system left many Black farmers without aid from agricultural reforms. These limitations highlighted the inequalities of the era.
WWII
1. Japan’s Needs and Hostilities
Japan engaged in hostilities in Asia because it lacked natural resources like oil, coal, and iron needed for industrial growth and military expansion. To secure these resources, Japan invaded regions like Manchuria and later China. When the U.S. imposed economic sanctions, cutting off oil supplies, Japan saw attacking America, including the bombing of Pearl Harbor, as a way to neutralize U.S. interference in their expansion plans.
2. Germany’s Blitzkrieg Strategy
Germany’s experience in World War I taught it that prolonged trench warfare led to massive losses and stalemates. To avoid this, Germany adopted the Blitzkrieg, or lightning war, strategy during World War II. This method relied on fast-moving tanks, aircraft, and infantry to overwhelm enemies before they could organize a strong defense. The strategy was effective in quickly conquering countries like Poland and France, demonstrating lessons learned from WWI’s slow battles.
