The Great Depression: Causes, Events, and Consequences

Question 1

Which event marked a significant turning point in the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Inauguration of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933

Answer

Stock Market Crash of 1929

Answer

Outbreak of World War II in 1939

Question 2

Compare the economic policies of Presidents Hoover and Roosevelt during the Great Depression. Which approach was more effective in addressing the crisis and its long-term impact on the US economy?

Accepted Answer

Hoover's policies focused on limited government intervention, while Roosevelt's emphasized government spending and regulation.

Accepted Answer

Roosevelt's policies had a more positive long-term impact on the economy than Hoover's.

Answer

Both Hoover and Roosevelt implemented ineffective policies.

Answer

Hoover's policies were more effective than Roosevelt's.

Question 3

How did the Great Depression worsen or lessen social and economic differences in the United States?

Accepted Answer

It raised unemployment and poverty, especially among disadvantaged groups.

Answer

It made wealth and income more evenly distributed, reducing gaps.

Answer

It provided chances for social mobility, allowing people from lower socioeconomic backgrounds to advance.

Question 4

How did the Great Depression impact international trade and the global financial system?

Accepted Answer

The Great Depression led to a decrease in international trade due to protectionist measures and increased tariffs.

Answer

International trade continued as usual during the Great Depression.

Answer

The Great Depression strengthened the international financial system through cooperation and coordination.

Answer

The Great Depression had no impact on the international financial system due to stable exchange rates.

Question 5

How did the Great Depression affect the mindset of Americans and contribute to societal cultural changes?

Accepted Answer

Traditional values like family, community, and religion became more important during the Great Depression.

Answer

During the Great Depression, Americans became more optimistic and confident about the future.

Answer

The Great Depression strengthened the emphasis on individualism and personal accountability.

Answer

Consumerism and lavish spending flourished during the Great Depression.

Question 6

During the Great Depression, technological advancements had a complex impact. How did these advancements both worsen and improve the economic crisis? Provide specific examples to support your answer.

Accepted Answer

Advancements in technology worsened the crisis by eliminating jobs and reducing demand for goods, but also created new industries and job opportunities.

Answer

Technological advancements only helped the crisis by providing innovative solutions to economic problems and stimulating economic growth.

Answer

Technological advancements had little effect on the Great Depression.

Question 7

How did the Great Depression influence the dominant economic theories of the time?

Accepted Answer

It sparked a reassessment of economic thought and the emergence of new economic theories.

Answer

It strengthened the belief in free-market economics.

Answer

It resulted in the complete rejection of traditional economic principles.

Answer

It had no significant impact on economic thought.

Question 8

How did the arts and popular culture both reflect and influence the experiences of people during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

They reflected the hardships and provided escapist entertainment.

Answer

They downplayed the Depression and promoted optimism.

Answer

They criticized the government and demanded reforms.

Answer

They had a limited impact on people's experiences.

Question 9

How did the Great Depression impact international relations, leading to a shift towards protectionist policies?

Accepted Answer

Protectionist policies rose during the Depression, weakening international cooperation.

Answer

Countries worked together to overcome the economic crisis, increasing global cooperation.

Answer

The Depression encouraged countries to embrace free trade, reducing protectionist policies.

Answer

The Great Depression had little effect on international relations.

Question 10

How did the Great Depression change the way people thought about economics?

Accepted Answer

It led to the idea that the government should step in to help the economy.

Answer

It made people believe even more in letting the economy fix itself.

Answer

It made people think that capitalism was doomed to fail.

Question 11

What event is widely recognized as marking the beginning of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Black Tuesday

Answer

Teapot Dome Scandal

Answer

Pearl Harbor attack

Answer

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Question 12

Who was the U.S. president when the Great Depression began in 1929?

Accepted Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Calvin Coolidge

Answer

Woodrow Wilson

Question 13

Which New Deal program aimed to create jobs for the unemployed ?

Accepted Answer

Works Progress Administration

Answer

Social Security

Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Answer

Glass-Steagall Act

Question 14

Which devastating environmental phenomenon ravaged the Great Plains during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The Dust Bowl

Answer

The Black Blizzard

Answer

The Great Storm

Answer

The Sandstorm of the Century

Question 15

How did the Great Depression affect international relations?

Accepted Answer

It weakened the global economy and exacerbated tensions

Answer

It led to increased cooperation and trade

Answer

It resulted in the formation of new international organizations

Answer

It had no significant impact on international relations

Question 16

Which of the following is a characteristic of a primary source from the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

It provides first-hand accounts of the events

Answer

It was written well after the Depression

Answer

It is biased towards a single viewpoint

Answer

It is heavily edited and analyzed

Question 17

How did the Great Depression impact the American Dream, the prevailing belief in unlimited economic opportunity?

Accepted Answer

It shattered this belief

Answer

It reinforced the importance of individual responsibility

Answer

It led to increased social mobility

Answer

It had no significant impact on the American Dream

Question 18

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff primarily aimed to:

Accepted Answer

Stimulate domestic industries by imposing tariffs on imported goods

Answer

Lower tariffs to promote international trade

Answer

Provide financial aid to struggling farmers

Answer

Increase government revenue

Question 19

Who was the U.S. president who spearheaded the New Deal, a series of programs and policies designed to combat the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Calvin Coolidge

Answer

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Question 20

The Civilian Conservation Corps, a prominent New Deal program, primarily focused on:

Accepted Answer

Providing employment opportunities for young men in conservation projects

Answer

Establishing a national social security system

Answer

Regulating the financial industry

Answer

Insuring bank deposits

Question 21

Which U.S. region bore the brunt of the Dust Bowl, a severe environmental disaster that occurred during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

West

Answer

Northeast

Answer

Midwest

Answer

South

Question 22

The novel 'The Grapes of Wrath', which captured the struggles of migrant workers during the Great Depression, was written by:

Accepted Answer

John Steinbeck

Answer

Ernest Hemingway

Answer

F. Scott Fitzgerald

Answer

William Faulkner

Question 23

Which of the following ideas gained traction in American political thought during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The government should play a more active role in the economy

Answer

Unrestricted free market capitalism is the optimal economic system

Answer

Government intervention in the economy is always harmful

Answer

Socialist policies are the best solution to economic inequality

Question 24

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

Accepted Answer

Overproduction and speculation

Answer

High unemployment

Answer

Low interest rates

Answer

Deflation

Question 25

US president serving during most of the Great Depression was?

Accepted Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Calvin Coolidge

Answer

Warren G. Harding

Question 26

Which of the following was NOT a part of President Roosevelt's New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

Answer

National Industrial Recovery Act

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority

Answer

Social Security Act

Question 27

Which New Deal program was primarily designed to provide temporary jobs for the unemployed?

Accepted Answer

Civil Works Administration (CWA)

Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Answer

Social Security Act

Question 28

What was the name for the severe droughts that plagued the Great Plains during the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Dust Bowl

Answer

Great Plains Drought

Answer

Black Blizzard

Answer

Dust Storm

Question 29

What major federal program was implemented to combat the devastating effects of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

New Deal

Answer

National Recovery Act

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Federal Emergency Relief Act

Question 30

What were the makeshift communities built by homeless Americans during the Great Depression commonly referred to as?

Accepted Answer

Hoovervilles

Answer

Rooseveltvilles

Answer

Shantytowns

Answer

Tent cities

Question 31

What was the name of the severe drought that devastated the Great Plains during the 1930s?

Accepted Answer

Dust Bowl

Answer

Great Plains Drought

Answer

Dust Storm

Answer

Midwest Drought

Question 32

How did the Great Depression impact U.S. foreign policy?

Accepted Answer

It led to isolationism and reduced global engagement

Answer

It strengthened international cooperation and alliances

Answer

It had little impact on U.S. foreign policy

Answer

It increased tensions with European powers

Question 33

Which psychological consequence did the Great Depression have on individuals?

Accepted Answer

Increased depression and anxiety due to poverty and unemployment

Answer

Increased optimism and resilience

Answer

Government-provided mental health support through New Deal programs

Question 34

How did labor unions shape government policies during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Unions' advocacy led to better working conditions and more bargaining power for workers, which influenced government policies.

Answer

Unions had little impact on government policies.

Answer

Unions successfully pushed through all their demands.

Answer

Unions' influence was mostly limited to factories, with little impact on broader economic policies.

Question 35

What was a major factor that sparked the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Excessive stock market speculation that led to a market crash

Answer

Strict monetary policies enforced by the Federal Reserve

Answer

Technological advancements causing widespread job displacement

Question 36

Which of the following economic factors was NOT a major contributing factor to the onset of the Great Depression in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The rise of fascism internationally

Answer

Overproduction of goods

Answer

Stock market crash of 1929

Answer

Expansion of credit and borrowing

Question 37

Which government program, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, was designed to combat the effects of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

New Deal

Answer

Agricultural Adjustment Act

Answer

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Answer

Glass-Steagall Act

Question 38

What was the significance of the Glass-Steagall Act?

Accepted Answer

It separated commercial banking from investment banking in the United States financial system

Answer

It established the Federal Reserve System

Answer

It provided relief to farmers during the Dust Bowl

Answer

It regulated the activities of the stock market

Question 39

Which event is widely recognized as a turning point that helped end the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The outbreak of World War II

Answer

The election of Franklin D. Roosevelt as President

Answer

The implementation of the New Deal programs

Answer

The end of the Dust Bowl

Question 40

Which event is widely recognized as the catalyst for the start of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The Wall Street Crash of 1929 (Black Thursday)

Answer

The dust storms of the Great Plains (Dust Bowl)

Answer

The passage of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff

Answer

The collapse of the Austrian Creditanstalt

Question 41

How did the Smoot-Hawley Tariff contribute to the severity of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

It reduced international trade and worsened the economic downturn

Answer

It increased global trade and stimulated economic growth

Answer

It had no significant impact on the course of the Depression

Answer

It led to a decrease in consumer spending and investment

Question 42

What was the primary goal of President Hoover's Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)?

Accepted Answer

To provide financial assistance to struggling banks and businesses

Answer

To create new jobs and stimulate economic activity

Answer

To regulate the stock market and prevent future crashes

Answer

To provide direct relief to the unemployed and needy

Question 43

How did the Dust Bowl affect the Great Plains region during the Depression?

Accepted Answer

It led to widespread crop failures and economic devastation

Answer

It improved soil fertility and boosted agricultural productivity

Answer

It provided new opportunities for farmers and ranchers

Answer

It had no significant impact on the region

Question 44

How did the Federal Reserve's actions contribute to the severity of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

It raised interest rates and restricted the money supply

Answer

It lowered interest rates and increased the money supply

Answer

It nationalized banks and regulated the financial industry

Answer

It provided direct financial assistance to businesses and individuals

Question 45

How did the Great Depression contribute to the rise of totalitarian regimes in Europe?

Accepted Answer

It weakened democratic institutions and fostered political extremism

Answer

It led to increased international cooperation and unity

Answer

It had no significant impact on European politics

Answer

It promoted economic recovery and prosperity

Question 46

During the Great Depression, the United States shifted towards which foreign policy approach?

Accepted Answer

Isolationism

Answer

International Cooperation

Answer

Military Expansion in Latin America and the Caribbean

Question 47

Which factor was a major contributor to the stock market crash of 1929?

Accepted Answer

Overspeculation and excessive buying on margin

Answer

Increased government regulation of the stock market

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

High levels of consumer confidence

Question 48

What was the name of the comprehensive government program established by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

New Deal

Answer

Federal Emergency Relief Act

Answer

Works Progress Administration

Answer

Social Security Act

Question 49

Which of the following was a significant consequence of the Great Depression for American society?

Accepted Answer

Widespread unemployment and poverty

Answer

Increased urbanization and economic growth

Answer

Technological innovation and prosperity

Answer

Strong labor unions and high wages

Question 50

Which legislation established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)?

Accepted Answer

Glass-Steagall Act

Answer

Wagner Act

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Fair Labor Standards Act

Question 51

Which characteristic is a defining feature of a command economy?

Accepted Answer

Centralized government planning and control of economic activities

Answer

Private ownership of property and market competition

Answer

Freedom of economic choice for individuals and businesses

Answer

Limited government intervention in the economy

Question 52

What was the primary goal of the Dust Bowl resettlement program?

Accepted Answer

To relocate farmers from drought-stricken areas to more fertile regions

Answer

To implement new agricultural practices to prevent soil erosion

Answer

To provide food assistance to families affected by the Dust Bowl

Answer

To establish new agricultural colonies in the western United States

Question 53

What was the main purpose of the Lend-Lease Act?

Accepted Answer

To provide military aid to Allied powers before the US entered World War II

Answer

To establish a rationing system for essential goods within the US

Answer

To increase production of war materials in the United States

Answer

To create a new international organization for peace and cooperation

Question 54

Identify the primary cause of the Great Depression.

Accepted Answer

Excessive production coupled with a severe stock market crash

Answer

Economic crisis in Europe

Answer

Increased consumer demand

Answer

Insufficient government oversight

Question 55

Which government initiative was designed to combat the economic crisis known as the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

New Deal

Answer

Federal Reserve Act

Answer

Hoover Plan

Answer

Marshall Plan

Question 56

Identify a significant social impact of the Great Depression.

Accepted Answer

Increased poverty and homelessness

Answer

Strengthened family bonds

Answer

Enhanced literacy rates

Answer

Improved healthcare system

Question 57

Who held the office of the President of the United States when the Great Depression began?

Accepted Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Calvin Coolidge

Answer

Woodrow Wilson

Question 58

During the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl primarily resulted in:

Accepted Answer

Extensive migration from the Great Plains

Answer

Reduced rural poverty levels

Answer

Enhanced soil quality

Answer

Increased agricultural productivity

Question 59

The Social Security Act of 1935 primarily aimed to provide:

Accepted Answer

Income and benefits for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled

Answer

Promotion of economic growth

Answer

Regulation of banking and finance

Question 60

Which factor played a significant role in ending the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Military spending associated with World War II

Answer

International trade in isolation

Answer

Monetary policy implemented in isolation

Answer

Government spending in isolation

Question 61

Identify a major economic consequence of the Great Depression.

Accepted Answer

Deflation

Answer

Hyperinflation

Answer

Stagflation

Answer

Inflation

Question 62

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

Accepted Answer

Overproduction leading to a decline in prices

Answer

Surge in consumer demand

Answer

Excessive government spending

Answer

Abrupt rise in interest rates

Question 63

Identify the federal program initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression.

Accepted Answer

New Deal

Answer

Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Answer

Great Society

Answer

Marshall Plan

Question 64

Which of the following was a direct consequence of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Widespread unemployment and severe economic hardship

Answer

Improved social welfare programs

Answer

Increased political stability

Answer

Accelerated economic growth