Roosevelt & New Deal 1932-1945 — Practice Quiz
A US History cheat sheet for Roosevelt & New Deal 1932-1945 — every key formula with its symbols defined — plus a medium-level practice quiz to test recall.
Formulas & key concepts
Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat) defeated Herbert Hoover (Republican) in a landslide
Where: Marked a political realignment; beginning of New Deal coalition
FDR's program to alleviate the problems of the Great Depression, focusing on Relief, Recovery, and Reform
Where: Significantly expanded the role of the federal government
Period at the start of FDR's presidency when Congress passed a record number of major laws
Where: Set a precedent for future presidents
Radio broadcasts made by FDR to the American people to explain his policies
Where: Restored public confidence
FDR closed all banks for a few days to inspect their health and restore confidence
Where: Emergency Banking Relief Act
Agency created to insure individual bank accounts, protecting people against losses due to bank failures
Where: Created by Glass-Steagall Act
Agency created to regulate the stock market and prevent fraud
Where: Restored confidence in the stock market
Law that paid farmers to lower production and raise crop prices
Where: Declared unconstitutional by Supreme Court (US v. Butler)
Program that put young men to work building roads, developing parks, and planting trees
Where: Provided relief through work projects
Federal agency established to construct dams and power plants in the Tennessee Valley region
Where: Provided flood control and electricity to impoverished area
Law that established codes of fair practice for industries and promoted industrial growth
Where: Created the NRA; declared unconstitutional (Schechter Poultry v. US)
New Deal agency that provided millions of jobs constructing public buildings
Where: Headed by Harold Ickes
Second wave of New Deal legislation starting in 1935, focusing more on social reform
Where: Included WPA and Social Security
Agency that provided jobs to millions of unemployed people on public works projects
Where: Also employed artists, writers, and musicians
Law that provided a pension for retired workers and their spouses and aided people with disabilities
Where: Laid the foundation for the modern welfare state
Law that protected the right of workers to join unions and engage in collective bargaining
Where: Created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB)
Law that established a minimum wage, maximum workweek, and banned child labor
Where: Last major piece of New Deal legislation
FDR's failed attempt to increase the number of US Supreme Court justices to save his New Deal programs
Where: Damaged FDR's political standing
First Lady who transformed the role; advocate for human rights and social justice
Where: Served as FDR's "eyes and ears"
Louisiana Senator and critic of the New Deal; proposed "Share Our Wealth" program
Where: Assassinated in 1935
Radio priest who criticized FDR and the New Deal for not doing enough
Where: Initially supported FDR, then turned against him
Physician who proposed a pension plan for the elderly
Where: Influenced the creation of Social Security
Secretary of Labor under FDR; first female cabinet member
Where: Played a key role in the Social Security Act
Educator and activist; head of the Division of Negro Affairs of the NYA
Where: Leader of the "Black Cabinet"
Law that restored tribal ownership of lands and recognized tribal constitutions
Where: Reversed the assimilation policy of the Dawes Act
Alignment of diverse groups dedicated to supporting the Democratic Party
Where: Included labor unions, minorities, and Southern whites
Constitutional amendment that moved presidential inauguration to January 20th
Where: "Lame Duck" amendment
Constitutional amendment that repealed Prohibition (18th Amendment)
Where: Only amendment to repeal another amendment
FDR's foreign policy of promoting better relations with Latin America by using economic influence rather than military force
Where: Reversed Big Stick Diplomacy
Series of laws passed to keep the US out of future wars
Where: Reflected American isolationism before WWII
Practice quiz
The election of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 marked a significant political realignment and the beginning of what?
- The New Deal coalition
- The end of the Progressive Era
- A return to laissez-faire economics
- The rise of the Populist Party
Answer: The New Deal coalition
Which immediate action did President Roosevelt take in 1933 to restore public confidence in the nation's financial system?
- He declared a 'Bank Holiday' to inspect the health of all banks.
- He established the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
- He began issuing 'Fireside Chats' to explain new banking laws.
- He created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
Answer: He declared a 'Bank Holiday' to inspect the health of all banks.
The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created to achieve which of the following?
- To insure individual bank accounts, protecting people against losses due to bank failures.
- To regulate the stock market and prevent fraud.
- To provide loans to struggling businesses.
- To manage federal relief programs for the unemployed.
Answer: To insure individual bank accounts, protecting people against losses due to bank failures.
Which two major New Deal programs were eventually declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court?
- Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) and National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)
- Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
- Social Security Act and Wagner Act
- Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Answer: Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) and National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)
A key piece of the Second New Deal, the Social Security Act of 1935 primarily provided for what?
- A pension for retired workers and their spouses, and aid for people with disabilities.
- Jobs for young men in conservation projects.
- Regulation of the stock market to prevent future crashes.
- Direct payments to farmers to reduce crop production.
Answer: A pension for retired workers and their spouses, and aid for people with disabilities.
Which prominent critic of the New Deal, a Louisiana Senator, proposed the 'Share Our Wealth' program?
- Huey Long
- Father Charles Coughlin
- Francis Townsend
- Harold Ickes
Answer: Huey Long
Eleanor Roosevelt significantly expanded the role of the First Lady by becoming a vocal advocate for what?
- Human rights and social justice
- Traditional domestic roles for women
- Strict isolationism in foreign policy
- Deregulation of major industries
Answer: Human rights and social justice
The Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act) of 1935 was crucial because it did what?
- Protected the right of workers to join unions and engage in collective bargaining.
- Established a national minimum wage and maximum workweek.
- Created a federal agency to provide jobs for artists and writers.
- Provided federal funding for public works projects like roads and bridges.
Answer: Protected the right of workers to join unions and engage in collective bargaining.
The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 aimed to reverse the assimilation policy established by which earlier act?
- The Dawes Act
- The Homestead Act
- The Chinese Exclusion Act
- The Sherman Antitrust Act
Answer: The Dawes Act
What was the main objective of Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'Court Packing Plan' in 1937?
- To increase the number of Supreme Court justices to ensure support for New Deal programs.
- To establish a new federal court system to handle economic disputes.
- To impeach conservative Supreme Court justices who opposed his policies.
- To limit the power of the judicial branch over state laws.
Answer: To increase the number of Supreme Court justices to ensure support for New Deal programs.
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