The Great Depression and New Deal: Causes, Effects, and FDR's Policies

Question 1

Which of the following best describes a key strategy of the New Deal in addressing the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

C. Creating large-scale public works projects to provide jobs

Answer

A. Primarily using monetary policies to boost economic activity

Answer

B. Taking control of major industries to increase government influence

Answer

D. Enacting austerity measures to cut government spending and balance the budget

Question 2

Which factor was a significant contributor to the onset of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The stock market crash of 1929

Answer

The assassination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

The Great Flood of 1927

Answer

The outbreak of World War I

Question 3

What was the overarching goal of President Roosevelt's New Deal policies?

Accepted Answer

To provide relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression

Answer

To reduce government spending and balance the budget

Answer

To promote civil rights for all Americans

Answer

To prepare the United States for entry into World War II

Question 4

Which New Deal agency was responsible for creating jobs and implementing infrastructure projects?

Accepted Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

Social Security Administration (SSA)

Answer

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

Answer

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

Question 5

Which New Deal policy established unemployment insurance and old-age pensions?

Accepted Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Fair Labor Standards Act

Answer

Wagner Act

Answer

National Labor Relations Act

Question 6

One aspect of the New Deal that garnered criticism was its:

Accepted Answer

Increased government intervention in the economy

Answer

Emphasis on states' rights

Answer

Increased military spending

Answer

Reduced tariffs and trade restrictions

Question 7

Who is credited with leading the United States through the New Deal era?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Woodrow Wilson

Question 8

During the Great Depression, destitute communities of makeshift homes were known as:

Accepted Answer

Hoovervilles

Answer

Rooseveltvilles

Answer

Kennedyvilles

Answer

New Dealvilles

Question 9

The Dust Bowl refers to:

Accepted Answer

A severe drought that devastated the Great Plains in the 1930s

Answer

A hurricane that struck the Eastern Seaboard

Answer

A series of earthquakes that shook California

Answer

A flood that inundated the Mississippi River Valley

Question 10

Which of the following was a primary cause of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Overproduction and overspeculation in the stock market

Answer

The rise of communism in Europe

Answer

The assassination of President Hoover

Answer

The outbreak of World War II

Question 11

What was the central goal of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

To restore economic stability and end the Great Depression

Answer

To strengthen labor unions

Answer

To promote racial equality

Question 12

Which of the following was a key element of the New Deal's banking reforms?

Accepted Answer

The establishment of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

The implementation of a national sales tax

Answer

The devaluation of the dollar

Question 13

Describe the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA).

Accepted Answer

A government agency that aimed to improve economic conditions and provide flood control, electricity, and other resources to the Tennessee Valley region

Answer

An organization dedicated to combating poverty in Appalachia

Question 14

Which of the following was a severe consequence of the Great Depression on American society?

Accepted Answer

Widespread unemployment and severe economic hardship

Answer

Increased immigration

Answer

Strengthened labor unions

Answer

Accelerated economic growth

Question 15

What was the primary goal of the Wagner Act of 1935?

Accepted Answer

To protect the rights of labor unions and promote collective bargaining

Answer

To provide unemployment benefits to those who lost their jobs

Answer

To regulate the banking industry and prevent future financial crises

Answer

To establish a universal healthcare system for all Americans

Question 16

Identify a lasting legacy of the New Deal.

Accepted Answer

The expansion of the federal government's role in regulating the economy and providing social welfare programs

Answer

The rise of fascism in Europe

Answer

The permanent end of the Great Depression

Question 17

What was the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States (1935)?

Accepted Answer

It ruled the National Industrial Recovery Act unconstitutional, limiting the federal government's authority to regulate the economy

Answer

It upheld the constitutionality of key New Deal programs and expanded the federal government's authority

Answer

It overturned the Smith-Hughes Act, which provided federal funding for vocational education

Question 18

**Which of the following was a primary cause of the Great Depression?**

Accepted Answer

Overproduction of goods and declining consumer demand

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Excessive government spending

Answer

High inflation

Question 19

**What were the three main goals of the New Deal?**

Accepted Answer

Relief, recovery, and reform

Answer

Reduce government spending, raise taxes, and increase regulation

Answer

Stimulate economic growth, provide social welfare programs, and regulate industry

Question 20

**Which New Deal agency was responsible for creating jobs through public works projects?**

Accepted Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Answer

Federal Housing Administration (FHA)

Answer

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

Question 21

**What was the main purpose of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?**

Accepted Answer

To stimulate economic recovery through industry self-regulation and codes of fair competition

Answer

To regulate the financial industry and prevent bank failures

Answer

To break up large corporations and promote competition

Answer

To provide direct relief to the unemployed

Question 22

**Which Supreme Court case declared the NIRA unconstitutional?**

Accepted Answer

Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States

Answer

Marbury v. Madison

Answer

United States v. E.C. Knight Co.

Answer

Plessy v. Ferguson

Question 23

**What was the significance of the Second New Deal?**

Accepted Answer

It shifted the focus of the New Deal towards more direct government intervention and social welfare programs

Answer

It was a period of conservative policies that reversed the New Deal's reforms

Answer

It marked the end of the New Deal and the beginning of economic recovery

Question 24

**How did the New Deal impact the role of government in the economy?**

Accepted Answer

It significantly expanded the government's role in regulating the economy and providing social welfare programs

Answer

It reduced the size and scope of government

Answer

It had no significant impact on the role of government

Question 25

**Which of the following is considered a major legacy of the New Deal?**

Accepted Answer

Social Security, the FDIC, and the TVA

Answer

High tariffs and protectionist trade policies

Answer

A balanced budget and reduced government spending

Answer

The gold standard and sound monetary policy

Question 26

What event is widely recognized as the immediate trigger of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The Stock Market Crash of 1929

Answer

The assassination of President McKinley

Answer

The outbreak of World War I

Answer

The passage of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act

Question 27

What was a primary consequence of the Great Depression in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Widespread unemployment and poverty

Answer

Increased political stability

Answer

Rapid technological advancements

Answer

A surge in economic prosperity

Question 28

What was a core goal of the New Deal policies?

Accepted Answer

To restore economic stability and provide relief to the unemployed

Answer

To end the Prohibition era

Answer

To prepare the country for war

Question 29

Which New Deal agency was specifically established to regulate the banking industry?

Accepted Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Answer

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

Answer

Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)

Question 30

What was the significance of the Supreme Court's decision in Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States?

Accepted Answer

It declared the National Recovery Administration (NRA) unconstitutional

Answer

It upheld the constitutionality of the Social Security Act

Answer

It established the Federal Reserve System

Question 31

What characterized the "Second New Deal"?

Accepted Answer

A shift towards more radical and redistributive policies

Answer

A return to laissez-faire economic principles

Answer

A significant reduction in New Deal spending

Question 32

Which of these is NOT considered a lasting impact of the Great Depression in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The rise of fascism in the United States

Answer

The growth of labor unions

Answer

Greater government intervention in the economy

Answer

Increased awareness of social inequality

Question 33

Which factor significantly contributed to the onset of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Overproduction of goods and a decline in consumer demand

Answer

Excessive government spending programs

Answer

Widespread labor strikes across industries

Answer

Rapidly increasing interest rates

Question 34

What was the primary objective of President Roosevelt's New Deal programs?

Accepted Answer

To provide economic relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression

Answer

To solely promote rapid economic growth and industrialization

Answer

To significantly reduce the size and influence of the federal government

Question 35

How did the New Deal reshape the role of the federal government in the U.S. economy?

Accepted Answer

It expanded the federal government's role in regulating the economy and providing social welfare

Answer

The New Deal had a negligible impact on the role of the federal government

Answer

It significantly reduced the government's involvement in regulating economic activities

Question 36

What was a major societal impact of the Great Depression in America?

Accepted Answer

Widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest

Answer

An increase in income equality across social classes

Answer

A strengthening of the overall American economy

Question 37

Which of the following is a lasting legacy of the New Deal era?

Accepted Answer

The establishment of the Social Security system

Answer

The development of the atomic bomb during World War II

Answer

The conclusion of the Cold War with the Soviet Union

Answer

The repeal of Prohibition and the legalization of alcohol

Question 38

What was the primary significance of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) during the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

It aimed to control flooding, generate electricity, and stimulate economic growth in the Tennessee Valley

Answer

It was established to regulate banking practices and prevent future economic crises

Answer

It primarily aimed to finance and support private businesses struggling during the Depression

Answer

It was a federal program solely focused on providing housing for low-income families nationwide

Question 39

How did the Great Depression impact the American labor movement?

Accepted Answer

Initially, the Depression weakened unions, but New Deal policies later fostered their growth and influence

Answer

It led to an immediate and significant decline in union membership and bargaining power

Answer

The Depression had a negligible impact on the overall labor movement in the United States

Answer

It consistently strengthened unions and increased their power throughout the 1930s

Question 40

How did New Deal policies affect the balance of power between the federal government and state governments?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal expanded the power and scope of the federal government relative to states

Answer

It significantly reduced the influence of the federal government in favor of states' rights

Answer

The New Deal had no significant impact on the relationship between federal and state governments

Question 41

Which of the following was NOT a major cause of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Overproduction of consumer goods

Answer

Bank failures

Answer

High tariffs

Answer

Stock market crash of 1929

Question 42

What was the primary goal of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

To provide relief, recovery, and reform

Answer

To raise tariffs

Answer

To lower taxes

Question 43

Which of the following was NOT a major New Deal program?

Accepted Answer

The Hoover Dam

Answer

The Tennessee Valley Authority

Answer

The Social Security Act

Answer

The Works Progress Administration

Question 44

What was the impact of the New Deal on the American economy?

Accepted Answer

It helped to end the Great Depression.

Answer

It caused the Great Depression.

Answer

It worsened the Great Depression.

Answer

It had no impact on the Great Depression.

Question 45

What was the major criticism of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

It gave the federal government too much power.

Answer

It was too expensive.

Answer

It did not do enough to help the poor.

Answer

It was unconstitutional.

Question 46

Which of the following is considered a legacy of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Increased government involvement in the economy

Answer

The end of the Great Depression

Answer

The rise of fascism in Europe

Question 47

What was the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) created to do?

Accepted Answer

Insure bank deposits

Answer

Regulate the stock market

Answer

Provide loans to businesses

Answer

Create jobs for the unemployed

Question 48

What was the purpose of the Social Security Act?

Accepted Answer

To provide retirement benefits and unemployment insurance

Answer

To create jobs for the unemployed

Answer

To regulate the banking industry

Question 49

What was the significance of the Works Progress Administration (WPA)?

Accepted Answer

It provided jobs for millions of unemployed Americans.

Answer

It built the Hoover Dam.

Answer

It regulated the stock market.

Question 50

What was the impact of the New Deal on the role of the federal government in American society?

Accepted Answer

It increased the power and scope of the federal government.

Answer

It had no impact on the role of the federal government.

Answer

It decreased the power and scope of the federal government.