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

Question 1

Which New Deal program aimed to reduce unemployment, provided environmental benefits, but was criticized for focusing on low-skilled work?

Accepted Answer

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

Social Security Act

Question 2

How did the Great Depression and the New Deal influence the role of the government in providing social welfare in the United States?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal created a wide-ranging social safety net that remains a crucial part of the American welfare system.

Answer

The Great Depression resulted in a decrease in government funding for social welfare programs.

Answer

The New Deal policies weakened the traditional role of families and communities in offering social support.

Answer

The Great Depression and the New Deal had no significant impact on the American welfare system.

Question 3

To address the Great Depression, which series of programs was implemented by President Roosevelt?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal

Answer

The Great Reset

Answer

The Economic Recovery Program

Answer

The Reconstruction Plan

Question 4

Which of the following was not a goal of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Balancing the budget

Answer

Creating jobs

Answer

Stimulating the economy

Answer

Providing relief to the unemployed

Question 5

Which agency was established by the New Deal to provide employment to the jobless?

Accepted Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

Answer

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Question 6

Which event is widely recognized as marking the end of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Outbreak of World War II

Answer

Passage of the Social Security Act

Answer

Election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt to a third term

Answer

Conclusion of the New Deal

Question 7

Which series of initiatives did President Roosevelt enact to combat the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal

Answer

The Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Answer

The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

Answer

The Social Security Act

Question 8

Which of the following was not a primary objective of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Shrinking the size of the federal government

Answer

Providing relief to the unemployed and needy

Answer

Stimulating economic recovery

Answer

Reforming the financial system

Question 9

The Great Depression had a profound impact on American society. Which of these was NOT a major consequence?

Accepted Answer

Economic prosperity and wealth creation

Answer

Widespread unemployment and poverty

Answer

Loss of confidence in the capitalist system

Answer

Increased social unrest and violence

Question 10

How did the Great Depression influence the role of the federal government in the economy?

Accepted Answer

It led to an expansion of government intervention

Answer

It led to a reduction in government intervention

Answer

It had no significant impact on the government's role

Answer

It caused the downfall of the federal government

Question 11

The primary goal of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) was to:

Accepted Answer

Create jobs in the public sector to stimulate the economy

Answer

Provide direct financial assistance to the unemployed

Answer

Promote private sector growth through tax incentives

Answer

Regulate the banking system to prevent future crises

Question 12

President Roosevelt's overarching objective with the New Deal was to:

Accepted Answer

End the Great Depression and alleviate its economic hardships

Answer

Establish a comprehensive welfare system for the poor and elderly

Answer

Implement strict regulations on businesses to prevent monopolies

Answer

Promote equality of opportunity for all Americans

Question 13

Which New Deal program employed millions of jobless Americans on public works projects?

Accepted Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Question 14

How did the New Deal transform the role of the federal government in the American economy?

Accepted Answer

It significantly expanded government intervention and regulation

Answer

It reduced government spending and promoted free market principles

Answer

It had a limited impact on the government's economic role

Answer

It shifted the focus from economic intervention to social welfare

Question 15

Which New Deal agency played a crucial role in providing mortgages and housing for low-income families?

Accepted Answer

Home Owners' Loan Corporation (HOLC)

Answer

Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)

Answer

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Answer

Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)

Question 16

What was the primary impact of the New Deal on unemployment rates?

Accepted Answer

It temporarily reduced unemployment, but it later rose again

Answer

It permanently eliminated unemployment

Answer

It increased unemployment rates

Answer

It had no significant impact on unemployment

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a common criticism of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

It focused too much on helping the poor and neglected the middle class

Answer

It was too expensive and increased the national debt

Answer

It created a permanent welfare state and discouraged work

Answer

It was ineffective in fully ending the Great Depression

Question 18

Which historian is renowned for their argument that the New Deal was a transformative moment in American history?

Accepted Answer

Arthur Schlesinger Jr.

Answer

William Leuchtenburg

Answer

Howard Zinn

Answer

Alan Brinkley

Question 19

Identify the option that is not considered a primary cause of the Great Depression.

Accepted Answer

Unrestricted government spending

Answer

Overproduction of goods

Answer

Stock market crash

Answer

Bank failures

Question 20

In what way did the New Deal alter the federal government's economic role?

Accepted Answer

Increased government involvement

Answer

Decreased government involvement

Answer

No significant impact on government involvement

Answer

Reversed the government's economic role

Question 21

How did the Great Depression and New Deal era influence American society and its relationship with the federal government?

Accepted Answer

Increased reliance on government for economic security

Answer

Weakened American economy and reduced global influence

Answer

Boosted American economy and enhanced global standing

Answer

Had minimal impact on society or government involvement

Question 22

President Hoover initially responded to the Great Depression by:

Accepted Answer

Employing a largely hands-off approach

Answer

Lowering interest rates

Answer

Increasing government spending

Answer

Raising taxes

Question 23

Which of the following was not a core component of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Free Trade Agreement

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority

Answer

Agricultural Adjustment Act

Question 24

Which Supreme Court case invalidated the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?

Accepted Answer

Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States

Answer

United States v. Darby Lumber Co.

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education

Answer

Marbury v. Madison

Question 25

How did the New Deal influence the role of the federal government in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Substantially expanded its powers and responsibilities

Answer

Reduced its involvement in the economy

Answer

Kept government involvement relatively unchanged

Answer

Shifted power from the federal level to states

Question 26

How did the Great Depression impact the Dust Bowl in the Great Plains region?

Accepted Answer

Exacerbated drought and soil erosion

Answer

Curtailed migration to the area

Answer

Increased farm productivity

Answer

Had negligible effects

Question 27

The Social Security Act primarily aimed to:

Accepted Answer

Provide retirement and disability benefits

Answer

Stimulate economic growth and job creation

Answer

Reduce unemployment

Answer

Increase healthcare access for all Americans

Question 28

What were the primary causes of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Financial instability and bank failures

Accepted Answer

Overproduction of goods and services

Answer

Excessive government spending

Answer

Rapidly rising wages

Question 29

Who was the U.S. President during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Theodore Roosevelt

Answer

Calvin Coolidge

Question 30

What was the primary purpose of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)?

Accepted Answer

Regulate the stock market to prevent future crashes

Answer

Provide financial assistance to struggling businesses

Answer

Enforce labor laws and protect workers' rights

Answer

Manage public works projects and infrastructure development

Question 31

How did the New Deal fundamentally change the role of government in American society?

Accepted Answer

Significantly expanded the federal government's involvement in the economy and social welfare

Answer

Reduced the authority and influence of the federal government

Answer

Had no lasting impact on the size and scope of government

Answer

Led to the establishment of a socialist system in the United States

Question 32

Which event is widely regarded as the primary catalyst for the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The stock market crash of 1929

Answer

Overproduction of agricultural goods

Answer

The collapse of the banking system

Answer

The passage of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff

Question 33

What was the primary result of the New Deal in terms of the role of the federal government in the economy?

Accepted Answer

It significantly expanded government intervention and regulation in the economy

Answer

It reduced government spending and involvement in the economy

Answer

It had a minimal impact on the role of the government in the economy

Answer

It led to the decentralization of government power

Question 34

What was the primary purpose of the Social Security Act?

Accepted Answer

To provide retirement benefits and support for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled

Answer

To create jobs and stimulate the economy

Answer

To regulate the financial industry and prevent future economic crises

Answer

To fund education and infrastructure projects

Question 35

Which of the following is considered a significant long-term consequence of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

The establishment of a permanent social safety net and expansion of government involvement in social welfare

Answer

The complete elimination of the Great Depression and its economic effects

Answer

The creation of a centralized welfare state with extensive government control over the economy

Answer

The decline of labor unions and the weakening of organized labor

Question 36

Which of the following best describes the societal impacts of the Great Depression on American society?

Accepted Answer

Weakened the labor movement and collective bargaining efforts

Answer

Increased social cohesion and family unity

Answer

Reduced economic disparities between different socio-economic groups

Answer

Improved the physical and mental health of Americans

Question 37

How did the Great Depression affect different social classes and marginalized groups in the United States? Explain the differences in the impact and their influence on society and the economy.

Accepted Answer

The Great Depression widened the gap between social and economic classes, with marginalized groups facing the most severe consequences.

Answer

The Great Depression affected urban and rural areas equally.

Answer

The middle class was largely unaffected by the Great Depression.

Question 38

During the Great Depression, the Federal Reserve's role was primarily characterized by:

Accepted Answer

Inaction and limited intervention

Answer

Effective measures that prevented a global crisis

Answer

Aggressive monetary policy to stimulate economic growth

Question 39

How did the New Deal permanently alter the government's role in the U.S. economy?

Accepted Answer

Increased government oversight of businesses

Answer

Reduced government spending on social programs

Answer

Decreased the size of the federal government

Answer

Ended all government involvement in the economy

Question 40

What was the impact of New Deal public works projects?

Accepted Answer

Boosted economic growth, created jobs, and improved infrastructure

Answer

Failed to address the economic crisis, create jobs, or improve infrastructure

Answer

Had a short-lived impact with limited long-term benefits

Question 41

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

Accepted Answer

Overproduction of goods coupled with weak consumer demand

Answer

A rise in the value of the dollar relative to other currencies

Answer

A sudden increase in the cost of raw materials

Answer

A decline in the availability of skilled labor

Question 42

How did the Great Depression primarily affect the American people?

Accepted Answer

Mass unemployment, poverty, and homelessness

Answer

A surge in immigration from Europe

Answer

Increased economic prosperity for the wealthy

Answer

A decline in the birth rate

Question 43

Who was the U.S. President during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

William Howard Taft

Answer

Calvin Coolidge

Answer

Herbert Hoover

Question 44

What was the collective name for the programs enacted by President Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal

Answer

The Keynesian Agenda

Answer

The Treasury Accord

Answer

The Hoover Plan

Question 45

Which of the following was a primary objective of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

To provide relief, recovery, and reform

Answer

To reduce government spending

Answer

To promote free trade

Answer

To raise taxes

Question 46

How did the New Deal impact the role of the federal government in American society?

Accepted Answer

It significantly expanded the government's involvement in the economy and social welfare

Answer

It shifted the balance of power from the states to the federal government

Answer

It reduced the size and scope of the federal government

Question 47

How did the Great Depression and New Deal shape American society in the long term?

Accepted Answer

It led to a greater acceptance of government intervention and social programs

Answer

It contributed to the rise of fascism in the United States

Answer

It weakened public trust in the government

Question 48

Which New Deal program provided jobs for unemployed Americans by employing them in conservation projects?

Accepted Answer

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Question 49

How did the New Deal address the issue of financial instability in the banking system?

Accepted Answer

It created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to insure bank deposits and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate the stock market

Answer

It nationalized major banks

Answer

It raised interest rates to discourage borrowing

Question 50

The Dust Bowl, a major ecological disaster of the 1930s, primarily affected which region of the United States?

Accepted Answer

The Great Plains

Answer

The Midwest

Answer

The Northeast

Answer

The Southwest

Question 51

What was the main goal of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs?

Accepted Answer

To provide relief for struggling Americans, help the economy recover, and make reforms to prevent future crises.

Answer

To return to a laissez-faire economic system.

Answer

To increase government control over the economy.

Question 52

Which New Deal program created jobs through public works projects like building dams, bridges, and buildings?

Accepted Answer

The Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)

Answer

The Social Security Act

Answer

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Question 53

The Social Security Act of 1935 established a system of what kind of insurance?

Accepted Answer

Retirement, unemployment, and disability insurance

Answer

Government subsidies for farmers

Answer

Minimum wage laws

Answer

Universal healthcare for all citizens

Question 54

How did the New Deal change the role of the federal government in American society?

Accepted Answer

It expanded the role of the government in regulating the economy and providing social programs.

Answer

It reduced the size and scope of government.

Answer

It maintained a strict separation of powers between federal and state governments.

Question 55

The New Deal faced criticism from both the left and the right. Which group believed the New Deal didn't go far enough to address the economic crisis?

Accepted Answer

The left

Answer

Farmers

Answer

Business leaders

Answer

The right

Question 56

Which of the following best describes the impact of the Great Depression on American society?

Accepted Answer

It led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and social unrest.

Answer

It had little impact on the lives of ordinary Americans.

Answer

It resulted in a period of economic prosperity.

Question 57

Which of the following is NOT a lasting legacy of the Great Depression and the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

The establishment of a national healthcare system

Answer

The expansion of the federal government's role in the economy

Answer

The creation of a social safety net for vulnerable populations

Answer

The rise of labor unions and collective bargaining

Question 58

Imagine you are a historian researching the Great Depression. What primary source would give you the most personal insight into the experiences of unemployed workers during this time?

Accepted Answer

Letters written by unemployed workers to their families

Answer

Newspaper editorials about the stock market crash

Answer

Government reports on economic indicators