AP Exams: US History Period 7, 1890-1945, Great Depression and New Deal, Causes, FDR's Programs, Court-Packing, Critics

What Is This?

The Great Depression and New Deal refer to the severe economic downturn that began in 1929 and the series of programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) to combat it. This topic appears in exams to test your understanding of economic history, government intervention, and political dynamics. Questions typically focus on the causes of the Great Depression, the specifics of FDR's New Deal programs, and the political and legal challenges faced.

Why It Matters

This topic is frequently tested in history, economics, and political science exams. It often carries significant marks because it assesses your ability to analyze historical events, understand economic policies, and evaluate political strategies. It tests your critical thinking, analytical skills, and knowledge of historical context.

Core Concepts

1. Causes of the Great Depression: Understand the economic factors that led to the 1929 stock market crash and the subsequent depression.
2. FDR's New Deal Programs: Know the key programs implemented by FDR, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Works Progress Administration (WPA), and Social Security Act.
3. Court-Packing Scheme: Learn about FDR's attempt to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court to gain favorable rulings for his New Deal programs.
4. Critics of the New Deal: Be aware of the opposition and criticisms faced by the New Deal, including those from conservatives and progressives.
5. Economic and Social Impact: Understand the short-term and long-term effects of the New Deal on the economy and society.

Prerequisites

1. Basic Economic Principles: Knowledge of supply and demand, economic cycles, and the role of government in the economy.
2. U.S. Government Structure: Understanding of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches and their interactions.
3. Historical Context: Familiarity with the events leading up to the Great Depression, such as the Roaring Twenties and the 1929 stock market crash.

The Rule-Book (How It Works)

Primary Rule

The Great Depression was caused by a combination of economic factors, including stock market speculation, bank failures, and a reduction in purchasing across the board. FDR's New Deal aimed to stabilize the economy through relief, recovery, and reform programs.

Sub-Rules and Exceptions

1. Relief Programs: Provided immediate aid to the unemployed and poor (e.g., CCC, WPA).
2. Recovery Programs: Aimed to restore the economy to pre-Depression levels (e.g., National Recovery Administration (NRA)).
3. Reform Programs: Intended to prevent future depressions (e.g., Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Social Security Act).

Visual Pattern

Think of the New Deal as a three-legged stool: - Relief (immediate help) - Recovery (economic restoration) - Reform (preventing future crises)

Exam / Job / Audit Weighting

• Frequency: High
• Difficulty Rating: Intermediate
• Question Type: Essay, multiple-choice, short answer

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Must-Know Rules, Formulas, Standards, or Principles

1. Causes of the Great Depression: Stock market speculation, bank failures, reduced consumer spending.
2. Key New Deal Programs: CCC, WPA, NRA, SEC, Social Security Act.
3. Court-Packing Scheme: FDR's attempt to add more justices to the Supreme Court to pass New Deal legislation.

Worked Examples (Step-by-Step)

Easy

Question: What was the primary cause of the Great Depression? Step-by-Step:
1. Identify the economic factors leading to the 1929 stock market crash.
2. Recognize the role of bank failures and reduced consumer spending. Answer: The primary cause was a combination of stock market speculation, bank failures, and reduced consumer spending. Key Rule: Causes of the Great Depression.

Medium

Question: Describe one relief program implemented by FDR. Step-by-Step:
1. Recall the purpose of relief programs.
2. Identify the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as a key relief program. Answer: The CCC provided jobs to young men, focusing on environmental conservation projects. Key Rule: Relief Programs.

Hard

Question: Explain FDR's court-packing scheme and its significance. Step-by-Step:
1. Understand the political context and opposition to New Deal programs.
2. Recognize FDR's attempt to increase the number of Supreme Court justices.
3. Analyze the significance of this scheme in the context of the New Deal. Answer: FDR's court-packing scheme aimed to add more justices to the Supreme Court to pass New Deal legislation, highlighting the political challenges faced. Key Rule: Court-Packing Scheme.

Common Exam Traps & Mistakes

1. Mistake: Confusing relief and recovery programs.
2. Wrong Answer: The NRA was a relief program.
3. Correct Approach: The NRA was a recovery program aimed at economic restoration.
4. Mistake: Overlooking the role of bank failures in the Great Depression.
5. Wrong Answer: The Great Depression was solely caused by the stock market crash.
6. Correct Approach: Bank failures and reduced consumer spending also played significant roles.
7. Mistake: Misunderstanding the purpose of the court-packing scheme.
8. Wrong Answer: FDR wanted to add justices to balance the court politically.
9. Correct Approach: FDR aimed to add justices to pass New Deal legislation.

Shortcut Strategies & Exam Hacks

• Memory Aid: Use the acronym CCC-WPA-NRA-SEC-SSA to remember key New Deal programs.
• Elimination Strategy: For multiple-choice questions, eliminate options that do not fit the historical timeline or context.
• Pattern Recognition: Identify questions that ask for causes, programs, or political challenges and apply the corresponding rules.

Question-Type Taxonomy

1. Essay Questions: Require detailed explanations of causes, programs, and political challenges.
2. Example: Discuss the causes of the Great Depression and FDR's response through the New Deal.
3. Favored by: History and political science exams.
4. Multiple-Choice Questions: Test specific knowledge of programs and events.
5. Example: Which of the following was a relief program implemented by FDR?
6. Favored by: Standardized tests and economics exams.
7. Short Answer Questions: Require concise explanations of key concepts.
8. Example: Explain the significance of FDR's court-packing scheme.
9. Favored by: History and political science exams.

Practice Set (MCQs)

1. Question: What was the primary cause of the Great Depression?
2. Options: A. World War I B. Stock market speculation, bank failures, and reduced consumer spending C. The Dust Bowl D. The Spanish Flu
3. Correct Answer: B. Stock market speculation, bank failures, and reduced consumer spending.
4. Explanation: The Great Depression was caused by a combination of economic factors, including stock market speculation, bank failures, and reduced consumer spending.

5. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: World War I and the Dust Bowl had economic impacts but were not the primary causes. The Spanish Flu was a significant event but not related to the Great Depression.

6. Question: Which of the following was a relief program implemented by FDR?

7. Options: A. National Recovery Administration (NRA) B. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) C. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) D. Works Progress Administration (WPA)
8. Correct Answer: B. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
9. Explanation: The CCC was a relief program that provided jobs to young men, focusing on environmental conservation projects.

10. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: The NRA was a recovery program, the SEC was a reform program, and the WPA was also a relief program but not the one asked for in this context.

11. Question: What was the purpose of FDR's court-packing scheme?

12. Options: A. To balance the court politically B. To add more justices to pass New Deal legislation C. To reduce the number of justices D. To appoint conservative justices
13. Correct Answer: B. To add more justices to pass New Deal legislation
14. Explanation: FDR's court-packing scheme aimed to add more justices to the Supreme Court to gain favorable rulings for his New Deal programs.

15. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Balancing the court politically and appointing conservative justices are plausible but incorrect. Reducing the number of justices is not historically accurate.

16. Question: Which of the following was a recovery program implemented by FDR?

17. Options: A. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) B. Works Progress Administration (WPA) C. National Recovery Administration (NRA) D. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
18. Correct Answer: C. National Recovery Administration (NRA)
19. Explanation: The NRA was a recovery program aimed at restoring the economy to pre-Depression levels.

20. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: The CCC and WPA were relief programs, and the SEC was a reform program.

21. Question: What was the long-term impact of the New Deal on the U.S. economy?

22. Options: A. It caused another depression B. It stabilized the economy and prevented future depressions C. It had no significant impact D. It led to a complete economic recovery
23. Correct Answer: B. It stabilized the economy and prevented future depressions
24. Explanation: The New Deal programs provided immediate relief, aided economic recovery, and implemented reforms to prevent future depressions.
25. Why the Distractors Are Tempting: Causing another depression and having no significant impact are incorrect. A complete economic recovery did not occur until after World War II.

30-Second Cheat Sheet

• Causes of the Great Depression: Stock market speculation, bank failures, reduced consumer spending.
• Key New Deal Programs: CCC, WPA, NRA, SEC, Social Security Act.
• Court-Packing Scheme: FDR's attempt to add justices to pass New Deal legislation.
• Relief Programs: Immediate aid (e.g., CCC, WPA).
• Recovery Programs: Economic restoration (e.g., NRA).
• Reform Programs: Preventing future crises (e.g., SEC, Social Security Act).
• Critics: Conservatives and progressives opposed the New Deal for different reasons.

Learning Path

1. Beginner Foundation: Understand basic economic principles and U.S. government structure.
2. Core Rules: Learn the causes of the Great Depression and key New Deal programs.
3. Practice: Solve practice questions and review worked examples.
4. Timed Drills: Complete timed practice tests to improve speed and accuracy.
5. Mock Tests: Take full-length mock exams to simulate exam conditions.

Related Topics

1. World War II: The New Deal programs laid the groundwork for economic policies during WWII.
2. Progressive Era: The New Deal was influenced by progressive ideas from the early 20th century.
3. Cold War: The economic policies of the New Deal had long-term impacts on U.S. economic strategy during the Cold War.