The United States Between the Two World Wars

Dr. Kriste Lindenmeyer

http://www.research.umbc.edu/~lindenme

 

Study Guide

The examination for this course will take place in Mel. HS XXI, July 12, 2005, 12:15-13:45 pm

You may not use notes or other aids during the examination.

 

The test will consist of 10 Identifications and 1 essay question. You will be able to choose 10 identifications from a list of 18 and you will have a choice of 1 out of 2 essay questions.

 

Identifications (10 at 5 points each = 50 points): The Identifications will come from the list posted below. Your essay for an Identification should be very brief (1 paragraph). A good Identification essay consists of three parts: 1) When. Give the approximate date within a decade of when this event, idea, person, organization, place, etc. happened. 2) What. Provide a brief description, usually 1-2 sentences, describing the event, idea, person, organization, place, etc. 3) Historical Significance. This is the most important part of any Identification. In 2-4 sentences describe what this event, idea, person, organization, place, etc. reveals about this period in history. In other words, how does this event, idea, person, organization, place, etc. provide insight into understanding this period of history?

 

1) Influenza	2) Al Capone	3) Marcus Garvey
4) Flappers	5) Election of 1920	6) Babe Ruth
7) Tea Pot Dome Scandal	8) National Origins Act of 1924	9) League of Nations
10) Ku Klux Klan	11) Alfred E. Smith	12) Herbert Hoover
13) Scopes Trial	14) Tennessee Valley Authority	15) Huey Long
16) Dust Bowl	17) Boulder Dam	18) Reconstruction Finance Corporation
19) Bonus Army	20) Black Thursday	21) Fireside Chats
22) Emergency Banking Act	23) Civilian Conservation Corps	24) Tennessee Valley Authority
25) Works Progress Administration	26) Social Security Act	27) Wagner Act
28) Huey Long	29) Charles Coughlin	30) Cutting Back and Making Do
31) Good Neighbor Policy	32) SS St. Louis	33) Lend Lease

           

Essays (50 points): The examination will include 2 of the following essays, chosen at random by me. You will only have to answer one. A good essay will address all sections of each question, include a thesis statement (the main argument you plan to make in your answer), specific historical examples that support your general statements, and a brief conclusion.

 

1)     Many historians argue that the 1920s were a decade of dramatic social and cultural change in the United States. Discuss the major social, economic, and political shifts in this important decade.

2) Compare and contrast President Herbert Hoover's and President Franklin Roosevelt's responses to the Great Depression. What political and economic philosophy did each president hold and what programs did each propose and why?

3) Who were the major critics of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal? Did they have any influence on the final New Deal programs?

4) Trace the history of U.S. foreign policy during the 1930s. Be sure to discuss the  major policy and legislative actions taken during Franklin Roosevelt's presidency that eventually led to U.S. involvement in the Second World War. What did each reveal about the move toward U.S. involvement in the conflict?