The Great Depression: Causes, Consequences, and Government Responses

Question 1

How did the Great Depression impact unemployment rates in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Unemployment rates soared to record highs.

Answer

Unemployment rates remained relatively stable.

Answer

Unemployment rates only affected specific industries.

Answer

Unemployment rates fluctuated but did not reach extreme levels.

Question 2

How did the Great Depression affect the American banking system?

Accepted Answer

There was a wave of bank closures.

Answer

Banks remained largely unaffected.

Answer

Banks tightened lending practices.

Answer

Banks provided generous loans to struggling businesses.

Question 3

Which of the following was a characteristic of the Dust Bowl?

Accepted Answer

Extreme drought and wind erosion

Answer

Flooding and landslides

Answer

Tornadoes and hurricanes

Answer

Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions

Question 4

Which of the following is considered a long-term underlying cause of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Uneven distribution of wealth and income

Answer

Overproduction of agricultural goods

Answer

Failure of international trade negotiations

Answer

Assassination of President Herbert Hoover

Question 5

How did the Great Depression affect the pursuit of the American Dream for many individuals?

Accepted Answer

It shattered the American Dream for many people.

Answer

It made the American Dream seem more achievable.

Answer

It had no impact on the American Dream.

Answer

It inspired a redefinition of the American Dream.

Question 6

What is generally considered to be the event that ended the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The outbreak of World War II

Answer

The implementation of the New Deal

Answer

The discovery of new oil reserves

Answer

Natural economic recovery over time

Question 7

During the Great Depression, which marginalized group experienced the highest unemployment rates?

Accepted Answer

African Americans

Answer

White men

Answer

Immigrants

Question 8

The stock market crash of 1929 was primarily caused by:

Accepted Answer

Excessive speculation and buying on margin

Answer

Political instability

Answer

Natural disasters

Answer

Labor strikes

Question 9

Which of the following was a significant social impact of the Great Depression on American society?

Accepted Answer

Widespread unemployment and poverty

Answer

Increased immigration

Answer

Improved education opportunities

Answer

Growing consumerism

Question 10

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established as part of the New Deal to:

Accepted Answer

Provide electricity and flood control to the impoverished Tennessee Valley region

Answer

Support farmers in the Midwest

Answer

Build public infrastructure projects

Answer

Create jobs for unemployed workers

Question 11

The Dust Bowl was a major environmental disaster that occurred during the Great Depression, primarily affecting which region of the United States?

Accepted Answer

Midwest

Answer

West Coast

Answer

Northeast

Answer

Southeast

Question 12

What event directly triggered the stock market crash of 1929?

Accepted Answer

The collapse of a major brokerage firm

Answer

The failure of the Bank of New York

Answer

The assassination of President Hoover

Answer

A sudden decline in consumer spending

Question 13

What was the name of the comprehensive federal program enacted by President Roosevelt to combat the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The New Deal

Answer

The Reconstruction Finance Corporation

Answer

The National Recovery Administration

Answer

The Dust Bowl Relief Act

Question 14

Which New Deal program provided direct relief to the unemployed and impoverished?

Accepted Answer

The Works Progress Administration

Answer

The Civilian Conservation Corps

Answer

The Social Security Act

Answer

The Agricultural Adjustment Administration

Question 15

Which of the following was a primary cause of the stock market crash of 1929?

Accepted Answer

Excessive speculation and buying on margin

Answer

Decreased production and increased consumer demand

Answer

Low interest rates and abundant credit

Answer

Government regulation and intervention

Question 16

What was the name of the comprehensive government relief program enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to address the economic crisis?

Accepted Answer

New Deal

Answer

Works Progress Administration

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Federal Reserve System

Question 17

Which of the following accurately describes the social impacts of the Great Depression in the United States?

Accepted Answer

High unemployment, widespread poverty, and increased crime

Answer

Economic growth, job creation, and social stability

Answer

Technological advancements, rising living standards, and improved education

Answer

Political turmoil, civil unrest, and international conflicts

Question 18

What was the primary objective of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), established during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

To protect bank deposits and restore trust in the banking system

Answer

To provide loans to struggling businesses and individuals

Answer

To regulate the stock market and prevent future crashes

Answer

To create jobs and stimulate economic growth

Question 19

Which measure was implemented under the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?

Accepted Answer

Establishing price-fixing agreements and production quotas

Answer

Funding public works projects to create jobs

Answer

Providing tax incentives for businesses

Answer

Nationalizing key industries

Question 20

How did the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aim to address the crisis in the agricultural sector?

Accepted Answer

By incentivizing farmers to reduce production and control supply

Answer

By providing subsidies to farmers to increase production

Answer

By regulating agricultural markets to stabilize prices

Answer

By creating government-owned agricultural cooperatives

Question 21

What event directly triggered the stock market crash of 1929?

Accepted Answer

A margin call on Black Tuesday

Answer

The failure of the Bank of the United States

Answer

The announcement of new tariffs on foreign goods

Answer

The assassination of President Herbert Hoover

Question 22

Who won the 1932 presidential election and embarked on the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

Herbert Hoover

Answer

Dwight D. Eisenhower

Answer

Harry S. Truman

Question 23

How did the Supreme Court initially respond to the constitutionality of New Deal policies?

Accepted Answer

It declared key programs unconstitutional

Answer

It generally upheld the constitutionality of these programs

Answer

It remained divided on the issue

Answer

It refused to rule on the constitutionality of these programs

Question 24

Which of the following was a primary cause of the stock market crash of 1929?

Accepted Answer

Excessive speculation and margin buying

Answer

Failure of major banks

Answer

Drought conditions in the Midwest

Answer

Government intervention in the economy

Question 25

What were the main social consequences of the Great Depression in the United States?

Accepted Answer

Mass unemployment, poverty, and homelessness

Answer

Increased government intervention in the economy

Answer

A decline in the population growth rate

Answer

A surge in immigration from Europe

Question 26

Which of the following was a key provision of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policy?

Accepted Answer

Establishment of Social Security

Answer

Construction of interstate highways

Answer

Increased tariffs on foreign goods

Answer

Regulation of the stock market

Question 27

What was the primary objective of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)?

Accepted Answer

To stimulate industrial production and raise wages

Answer

To create jobs for the unemployed

Answer

To regulate the agricultural sector

Answer

To provide relief to the poor

Question 28

How did the Supreme Court initially respond to the New Deal policies?

Accepted Answer

It struck down many of them as unconstitutional

Answer

It upheld them as necessary to address the national emergency

Answer

It refused to rule on their validity

Answer

It issued injunctions against their implementation

Question 29

What was the main reason for the Dust Bowl Migration?

Accepted Answer

To escape drought and poverty in the Midwest

Answer

To seek employment in industrial cities

Answer

To join the Civilian Conservation Corps

Answer

To participate in the New Deal farm programs

Question 30

In what way did the Great Depression lead to an expanded role for the federal government in the economy?

Accepted Answer

It increased government regulation and intervention in economic affairs

Answer

It reduced the government's involvement in the economy

Answer

It did not significantly change the government's economic role

Answer

It led to the nationalization of key industries

Question 31

How did the Great Depression differ from previous economic downturns in American history?

Accepted Answer

It was more severe and prolonged

Answer

It had a smaller impact on the national economy

Answer

It was primarily confined to rural areas

Answer

It led to a more rapid economic recovery

Question 32

Which event is widely considered the catalyst for the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

The stock market crash of October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday

Answer

The rise of the Nazi Party in Germany

Answer

The assassination of President Franklin D. Roosevelt

Answer

The devastating impacts of the Dust Bowl agricultural crisis

Question 33

Which government agency, established as part of the New Deal, was tasked with regulating the financial industry?

Accepted Answer

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Question 34

What was the primary objective of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)?

Accepted Answer

To control flooding, improve infrastructure, and foster economic development in the Tennessee Valley region

Answer

To create jobs and stimulate economic recovery during the Great Depression

Answer

To regulate and stabilize the banking system

Answer

To provide a safety net for the unemployed

Question 35

Which of the following is NOT a defining characteristic of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Emphasis on individualism and self-reliance

Answer

Expansion of government involvement in the economy

Answer

Introduction of social welfare programs

Answer

Efforts to stimulate economic growth

Question 36

How did the Supreme Court initially respond to the constitutionality of New Deal policies?

Accepted Answer

Initially struck down several key New Deal laws as unconstitutional

Answer

Consistently upheld the constitutionality of New Deal programs

Answer

Ruled that the New Deal exceeded the authority of the federal government

Answer

Supported the New Deal but imposed certain limitations

Question 37

How did the Great Depression primarily impact the American workforce?

Accepted Answer

Mass unemployment and underemployment

Answer

Increased wages and improved working conditions

Answer

Expansion of government-funded job programs

Answer

Growth in union membership and collective bargaining power

Question 38

Which New Deal program was specifically designed to provide direct relief to the unemployed and needy?

Accepted Answer

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Answer

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)

Answer

Social Security Act

Answer

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

Question 39

What was the distinctive characteristic of the Second New Deal?

Accepted Answer

A shift towards more progressive and ambitious policies

Answer

A focus on economic recovery and monetary reform

Answer

A return to laissez-faire economic principles

Answer

Limited impact on addressing the underlying causes of the Depression

Question 40

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

Accepted Answer

Increased government intervention and regulation

Answer

Reduced government spending and social welfare programs

Answer

No significant impact on government's economic role

Answer

Adoption of a socialist economic system

Question 41

What was the "Dust Bowl" and how did it contribute to the hardships of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

A severe drought and dust storms that devastated the Great Plains

Answer

A series of floods that ravaged the Mississippi River Valley

Answer

A period of economic recession in the southeastern United States

Answer

A labor strike that paralyzed major industries in the Northeast

Question 42

**Reworded:** Which of these **was not** a primary cause of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Outbreak of World War II

Answer

High import tariffs

Answer

Excessive production and insufficient consumption

Answer

Collapse of the banking system

Question 43

**Reformulated:** Which of these is considered a **long-term effect** of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Expanded role of government in the economy

Answer

Demise of the Republican Party

Answer

Outbreak of World War II

Question 44

**Clarified:** Who is regarded as the **pioneer** of Keynesian economic theory?

Accepted Answer

John Maynard Keynes

Answer

Karl Marx

Answer

Adam Smith

Answer

Milton Friedman

Question 45

**Specified:** Which Supreme Court case declared the Agricultural Adjustment Act **unconstitutional**?

Accepted Answer

United States v. Butler

Answer

Brown v. Board of Education

Answer

Marbury v. Madison

Answer

McCulloch v. Maryland

Question 46

**Revised:** What was the **key distinction** between the first and second phases of the New Deal?

Accepted Answer

Second New Deal emphasized social welfare programs.

Answer

First New Deal was more effective than the Second New Deal.

Answer

First New Deal focused primarily on economic recovery.

Question 47

**Rephrased:** What is the **significance** of the Great Depression in American history?

Accepted Answer

It remains the most prolonged and severe economic crisis in American history.

Answer

It marked the conclusion of the Progressive Era.

Answer

It prompted the start of World War II.

Question 48

Which of the following factors significantly contributed to the stock market crash of 1929?

Accepted Answer

Excessive speculation and overborrowing

Answer

Increased consumer demand

Answer

Government intervention

Answer

Technological advancements

Question 49

What was the main purpose of the Glass-Steagall Act of 1933?

Accepted Answer

To separate investment banks from commercial banks

Answer

To limit foreign investment

Answer

To provide government guarantees for bank deposits

Answer

To increase interest rates

Question 50

Which group faced the most severe economic hardship during the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

African Americans

Answer

Middle-class farmers

Answer

Wealthy investors

Answer

Urban factory workers

Question 51

What was the primary goal of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)?

Accepted Answer

To provide temporary employment and job training for young men

Answer

To build infrastructure

Answer

To promote environmental conservation

Answer

To assist the elderly

Question 52

Which of the following was not a defining characteristic of the Dust Bowl?

Accepted Answer

Heavy precipitation

Answer

Foreclosures

Answer

Wind erosion

Answer

Severe drought

Question 53

What was the central objective of the Wagner Act of 1935?

Accepted Answer

To guarantee collective bargaining rights for workers

Answer

To set minimum wage standards

Answer

To regulate labor unions

Question 54

Which of the following was a primary aim of the Social Security Act of 1935?

Accepted Answer

To provide financial security for the elderly, unemployed, and disabled

Answer

To increase immigration

Answer

To stimulate economic growth

Question 55

What was the primary factor that led to the United States' recovery from the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Increased government spending through World War II

Answer

The end of the Dust Bowl

Answer

Technological advancements

Answer

Increased consumer spending

Question 56

Which of the following is a lasting legacy of the Great Depression?

Accepted Answer

Increased government involvement in the economy

Answer

The decline of American manufacturing

Answer

The rise of isolationist policies