Title: The Great Depression (1929-1932)
Course: Question Banks

Q: Charlie became an American business owner in the 1920’s. How will the economic circumstances leading up to the stock market crash affect the success of Charlie’s business?
- Charlie’s business will likely prosper because of Hoover’s humanitarian efforts toward farmers, veterans, and Native Americans. (Incorrect. Though Hoover’s administration did focus on humanitarian efforts for farmers, veterans, Native Americans, and other Americans, this would not directly affect the state of Charlie’s business.)
- Charlie’s business will likely not be prosperous because of increased unemployment and poverty. (Incorrect. Increased unemployment does not start until the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression 1930’s which forced many Americans into poverty.)
- Charlie’s business will likely not prosper because America has entered the Great Depression during this time. (Incorrect. The Great Depression did not ensue until after the stock market crash of 1929 due to a lack of appropriate banking and economic responses.)
- Charlie's business will likely prosper due to increased spending, consumer demand, little government regulation, and public optimism. (Correct! The era of the 1920s was marked by increased spending, consumer demand, little government regulation, and risk spending optimism as shown in advertisements of the time.)
A: Charlie's business will likely prosper due to increased spending, consumer demand, little government regulation, and public optimism.

Q: What were the defining characteristics of Hoover’s presidency leading up to the stock market crash of 1929?
- Hoover’s presidency is characterized as establishing less government involvement in public affairs which led to increased crime rates. (Incorrect. Hoover is characterized for his efforts to stimulate the economy with little government interference, but encouraged the FBI to crack down on organized criminals. He even put away the infamous Al Capone!)
- Hoover was credited with the New Deal program establishing a pension called Social Security. (Incorrect. Although Hoover came up with a similar old-age pension program, President FDR is credited with the New Deal programs such as Social Security.)
- Hoover was in favor of widening the gap between rich and poor during his presidency. (Incorrect. Hoover is characterized for effort to banish poverty in America through less government control of the economy.)
- Hoover’s presidency is characterized by his humanitarian efforts in areas such as civil service reform, public relief efforts, veteran and community improvement efforts, and growing the economy. (Correct! Hoover is characterized by humanitarianism as demonstrated in his early career in public service and attempts to improve the lives of many Americans.)
A: Hoover’s presidency is characterized by his humanitarian efforts in areas such as civil service reform, public relief efforts, veteran and community improvement efforts, and growing the economy.

Q: Which of the following claims could be used as evidence to support the economic and political circumstances in America leading up to the stock market crash of 1929?
- Most Americans experienced poverty, unemployment, and inflation due to the Great Depression. (Incorrect. While it is true that many Americans experienced poverty, unemployment, and inflation during the Great Depression, this is a characteristic of the 1930’s after the stock market crash of 1929.)
- Most Americans experienced easy access to credit, but increased government regulation limited their ability to make investments. (Incorrect. While Americans did experience easier access to credit, this spending was not backed by monetary reserves. Hoover also attempted to promote economic growth through less government regulation of business.)
- Only major corporations continued to make risky investments with the idea of getting rich quick. (Incorrect. Though many investors pushed high risk investments, about 10% of Americans held investments in the stock market.)
- Most Americans experienced improved lives because of humanitarian efforts and increased confidence in the prospering economy. (Correct! The state of the economy in the 1920’s gave the average worker the opportunity to spend more money with increased credit availability, low interest rates, and increased money supply, while Hoover attempted to rid the country of poverty through public service programs.)
A: Most Americans experienced improved lives because of humanitarian efforts and increased confidence in the prospering economy.

Q: Which of the following was a major part of the stock market crash of 1929?
- “Summer of Fun” (Incorrect. The “summer of fun” was the summer of 1929 prior to the stock market crash when the stock market was at a high and Americans were spending.)
- Bonus Army protests (Incorrect. After the stock market crash of 1929, unemployment rates increased resulting in different labor strikes and riots such as the Bonus Army protest of 1932.)
- The start of WWII (Incorrect. WWII would not start until 1939 after the decade long financial crisis of the Great Depression.)
- Black Thursday (Correct! Black Thursday, which would be followed by Black Tuesday, caused the New York Stock Exchange to lose 11% of its value. This became the first warning sign of the decade to follow.)
A: Black Thursday

Q: What are the similarities and/or differences between Black Thursday and Black Tuesday?
- Black Thursday is known for being a day of minimal trading in the stock market due to fear of financial ruin. (Incorrect. Black Thursday was a day of selling panic that resulted in 13 million shares being traded.)
- Both Black Thursday and Black Tuesday were events in which discarded stock was sold for a low value. (Incorrect. It wasn’t until after Black Tuesday that discarded stock was sold to savvy investors which rarely resulted in fortune.)
- Black Tuesday is known as the day marking the end of the “summer of fun” with little fluctuations in market values. (Incorrect. Black Thursday is known as the ending to the summer of fun and the beginning of the market fall.)
- Both Black Thursday and Black Tuesday were events in which investors panicked upon learning their shares had lost a great deal of value. (Correct! On Black Thursday the number of shares traded surpassed the average resulting in unpredictable and incredible losses. Black Tuesday would follow with even more decline in the value of stocks as investors tried to get rid of their shares as fast as possible.)
A: Both Black Thursday and Black Tuesday were events in which investors panicked upon learning their shares had lost a great deal of value.

Q: Imagine that Susie was an investor at a brokerage firm during the stock market crash of 1929. Which event would have caused Susie to lose confidence in the market?
- The American desire to be rich at any cost (Incorrect. The desire to make a profit often drives people to invest in the stock market, and is not something that would make Susie lose confidence in the market. However, this type of desire was no longer the American attitude once the stock market had crashed.)
- The British Stock Exchange crash of 1929 (Incorrect. Though another stock exchange crash may cause brokers to lose confidence in the market, the London Stock Exchange collapse of 1929 should have been the warning sign for many Americans.)
- Increased value in stock holdings (Incorrect. An increase in the value of stock holdings would result in higher profit margins for brokers and investment holders. This would not cause Susie to lose market confidence.)
- The sharp drop in stock values (Correct! The value of stocks began to rapidly drop on Black Tuesday causing a loss of over $14 billion dollars. This type of economic state is not optimal for long term investment profits.)
A: The sharp drop in stock values

Q: What two underlying weaknesses in the economy resulted in the Great Depression?
- the stock market alone caused the Great Depression (Incorrect. The stock market alone was not enough to put the country into a depression because only 2.5% of Americans held stocks. It was the lack of economic and banking safeguards that sent the country into this decade long crisis.)
- the demand for America to pay war reparations and fund the military (Incorrect. Although America was owed war reparations by many countries after WWI, America was not paying money out to other countries. However, America’s decision to loan money to defeated countries intensified the financial crisis of the time.)
- unemployment rates and downward investment trends (Incorrect. Although there were downward investment trends after the stock market crash, unemployment was a result rather than a cause of the Great Depression.)
- questionable banking practices and poor income distribution (Correct! The stock market crash in combination with the poor economic response, lack of effective Federal Reserve policies, and the growing gap between rich and poor were some of the factors that contributed to the Great Depression.)
A: questionable banking practices and poor income distribution

Q: Which of the following may be a consequence of a saturated market?
- decreased unemployment rates (Incorrect. Although unemployment may sound familiar to this time period, the number of unemployed Americans would not decrease until America turned to wartime production during WWII.)
- increased wages (Incorrect. Because many businesses were facing financial hardships, wages were often decreased to preserve jobs.)
- rising demand (Incorrect. Because many Americans were out of jobs and poverty was widespread, there was less spending and consumption compared to the 1920s.)
- increased unemployment rates (Correct! The deflationary spiral of the saturated market resulted in millions of Americans losing their jobs during the Great Depression.)
A: increased unemployment rates

Q: How did poor income distribution contribute to the Great Depression?
- Income distribution closed the gap between rich and poor resulting in a successful marketplace. (Incorrect. Income distribution contributed to the growing gap between rich and poor since about eighty percent of Americans had lost their savings and around one percent of Americans controlled a third of the wealth.)
- Income distribution caused low corporate and personal tax rates. (Incorrect. Unequal income distribution was caused by low corporate and personal taxes as implemented by conservitive politicians.)
- Income distribution increased investments made in the stock market and the health of the economy. (Incorrect. Unequal income distribution contributed to less investments in the stock market because the average American did not have the income to do so.)
- Income distribution increased the gap between rich and poor and caused decreased demand for consumer goods. (Correct! Inequality in wealth distribution was a result of the return of conservative politics and decreased buyers contributed to the market failure of the time.)
A: Income distribution increased the gap between rich and poor and caused decreased demand for consumer goods.

Q: What was President Hoover’s initial response to the Great Depression?
- Hoover’s initial response was to increase government involvement through direct aid programs like the New Deal. (Incorrect. Although Hoover did create some relief programs such as the Emergency Committee for Employment and Federal Emergency Relief Bill, he is not responsible for the New Deal programs.)
- Hoover’s initial response was to boost public confidence by giving charitable handouts and public reassurance. (Incorrect. Hoover did seek to reassure the public that everything would be okay despite the ensuing national crisis, but was hesitant to give “handouts” to the public. He pledged to only give aid when Americans were starving.)
- Hoover’s initial response was encouraging workers to demand higher wages through strikes and riots. (Incorrect. Hoover did encourage businesses to retain workers and wages in order to keep unemployment rates low, but his lack of creating an effective solution was met with strikes and riots such as the Bonus Army protest.)
- Hoover’s initial response was to limit government assistance and encourage volunteerism. (Correct! Hoover was unprepared to meet the government demands of the Great Depression and did not put many solutions into action until it was too late.)
A: Hoover’s initial response was to limit government assistance and encourage volunteerism.

Q: How did President Hoover’s belief in American individualism influence his response to the Great Depression?
- He opposed laissez faire economics and asked for state governments to provide unemployment benefits to those who need it. (Incorrect. Hoover was supportive of laissez faire economics and believed in little government intervention.)
- He increased tax rates to try and bolster the health of the economy through government spending. (Incorrect. Hoover attempted to help Americans by asking congress to pass a tax cut that would help the common American and bolster spending.)
- He believed every man was for himself and should seek higher wages through education. (Incorrect. Although Hoover did believe individuals should not rely on government aid, he did ask business to maintain wages and employment.)
- He encouraged businesses to retain workers and encouraged individuals to buckle down and keep working hard. (Correct! Hoover believed that hard work would save many Americans from poverty during the Great Depression.)
A: He encouraged businesses to retain workers and encouraged individuals to buckle down and keep working hard.

Q: What is the significance of Hoover’s Federal Emergency Relief Bill?
- The Federal Emergency Relief Bill solved the drought issues that farmers were facing and boosted agricultural production. (Incorrect. Although the Federal Emergency Relief Bill attempted to provide food, fertilizer, and animal feed to drought victims, it was ineffective in providing enough to address the crisis.)
- The Federal Emergency Relief Bill maintained a balance between federal and state governments which allowed for more direct aid and assistance programs. (Incorrect. Hoover opposed the bill because he feared that it would create an imbalance between the states and federal government.)
- The Federal Emergency Relief Bill helped increase jobs to the unemployed and assisted private relief agencies like the Red Cross and Salvation Army. (Incorrect. The President’s Organization of Unemployment Relief is responsible for providing assistance to relief agencies and encouraging public donations.)
- The Federal Emergency Relief Bill could have brought aid to many Americans, but was opposed by Hoover and never passed. (Correct! The bill was defeated by fourteen votes not because Hoover didn’t care about starving Americans, but because he believed it would alter the balance of power and discourage American individualism.)
A: The Federal Emergency Relief Bill could have brought aid to many Americans, but was opposed by Hoover and never passed.

Q: What bill did Senator Robert Wagner of New York endorse to fund state and local public works projects?
- The Reconstruction Finance Corporation (Incorrect. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was a federal effort to rescue banks, credit unions, and insurance companies so that the public would have restored confidence in financial institutions.)
- The Federal Emergency Relief Bill (Incorrect. This unsuccessful bill would have brought federal aid to states to provide food, clothing, and shelter to the homeless, but was not directly endorsed by Senator Robert Wagner..)
- Works Progress Administration (Incorrect. Although the WPA was meant to bolster public works projects through federal aid, it was not proposed until President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Program.)
- The Emergency Relief and Construction Act (Correct! The Emergency Relief and Construction Act, endorsed by Senator Wagner in 1932, was an expansion of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation that was meant to provide aid to fund local public works projects.)
A: The Emergency Relief and Construction Act

Q: Which of the following is an example of how President Hoover encouraged local communities to combat the Great Depression?
- Hoover encouraged the purchase of liberty bonds to boost the economy. (Incorrect. Although liberty bonds were first used during WWI to aid the war effort, this was not something Hoover promoted to combat the Great Depression.)
- Hoover encouraged people to take up multiple employment opportunities. (Incorrect. It was important that businesses keep as many employees as they could despite low wages during this time and it was highly unlikely that multiple jobs would be available.)
- Hoover encouraged people to take out banking loans for regular everyday expenses. . (Incorrect. The banking system failure of the Great Depression prevented people from taking out loans because of banks’ inability to maintain adequate reserves.)
- Hoover encouraged people to make private donations and volunteer for relief agencies. (Correct! Hoover’s strong sense of “American individualism” and his refusal to provide direct federal aid did not prevent him from assisting the American people. Hoover encouraged volunteerism and donating to prevent widespread poverty.)
A: Hoover encouraged people to make private donations and volunteer for relief agencies.

Q: What was the outcome of Hoover’s request for business leaders to continue production and retain workers?
- Business leaders were taxed more than they could afford. (Incorrect. In Hoover’s attempt to work with business during the Great Depression, he proposed a $160 million tax cut.)
- Business leaders responded by protesting the President and continuing with their regular business methods. (Incorrect. Business leaders were doing everything they could to stay in business, including continuing production and retaining workers at low wages.)
- Business leaders asked workers to work overtime and form labor unions. (Incorrect. Labor unions were often a threat to business leaders attempting to maintain low wages, and workers were unlikely to work overtime because businesses could not afford to compensate them for that time.)
- Business leaders had to withhold demands of wage increases and risk bankruptcy. (Correct! Business leaders had to do whatever they could to keep their business running, including pay low wages and layoff employees.)
A: Business leaders had to withhold demands of wage increases and risk bankruptcy.

Q: What was the cause of the Ford Hunger March?
- Increased demand for automotives (Incorrect. The decrease in demand for automotives caused companies to produce less cars and layoff workers.)
- Farmers protesting for higher produce prices. (Incorrect. Farmers did protest for higher produce prices and farm holidays but this was not a cause of the Ford Hunger March.)
- Automotive workers protesting for cash bonuses (Incorrect. Automotive workers were protesting to keep their jobs in the Ford Hunger March.)
- Rising layoffs of the automotive workforce (Correct! Companies like Ford Motor Company started to cut workers wages and conduct layoffs in order to stay afloat during the Great Depression. Angry workers turned to protesting in the Ford Hunger March.)
A: Rising layoffs of the automotive workforce

Q: What was the outcome of the Bonus Army Protest in Washington during the spring of 1932?
- The protest failed because the Bonus Expeditionary Force was unable to get enough supporters to petition the government. (Incorrect. It was not a lack of support that caused the protest to fail, but lack of government response. The outcome of the protest resulted in violence and brutality.)
- The protest was successful because the Bonus Army was able to receive their cash bonuses early from the federal government. (Incorrect. The federal government was unable to provide the cash bonuses early to WWI veterans.)
- The protest was successful because veterans were able to convene and start training for WWII. . (Incorrect. Although WWII is just around the corner, this was not the purpose behind the protest.)
- The protest failed because Hoover was unwilling to pay out cash bonuses in fear of what it would do to the federal budget (Correct! The Bonus Army protest was an attempt by veterans and their families to petition for early cash bonuses earned in WWI in order to help survive the Great Depression, but it resulted in failure and violence.)
A: The protest failed because Hoover was unwilling to pay out cash bonuses in fear of what it would do to the federal budget

Q: Which group protested to the government to have their goods sold in surplus on the world market?
- Hoovervilles (Incorrect. Hoovervilles were the given name to shantytowns for the homeless during the Great Depression.)
- automotive workers (Incorrect. Automotive workers were known for protesting layoffs and low wages during the Great Depression.)
- WWI Veterans (Incorrect. WWI veterans protested to the government to give them cash bonuses for their time in service as a form of aid during the Great Depression.)
- farmers (Correct! Farmers across the northern states banded together and demanded the government commit to selling their produce in surplus on the world market.)
A: farmers

Q: Which of the following was widely considered a success of Hoover's presidency?
- His focus on American individualism (Incorrect. Hoover’s dedication to “American individualism” prevented him from taking the necessary steps to provide aid to starving and poor Americans.)
- the Smoot-Hawley Tariff (Incorrect. Although this tariff was meant to increase sales of American-made goods, it resulted in closed markets for American manufacturers on the brink of bankruptcy making it less successful than intended.)
- His support for anti-lynching Legislation (Incorrect. Hoover failed to push for any anti-lynching legislation that would ensure equal rights for Black Americans.)
- His foreign policy decisions (Correct! Hoover’s diplomacy improved America’s relations with Latin America and set new doctrines that opposed forced colonization.)
A: His foreign policy decisions

Q: How did Hoover advocate for Native Americans during his presidency?
- He reduced federal expenditures for Native American schools and health care. (Incorrect. Funding for Native American schools and health care doubled during Hoover’s presidency.)
- He passed anti-lynching laws that ensured equal opportunities for all minorities. (Incorrect. Hoover failed to pass anti-lynching laws promoted by the NAACP.)
- Hoover didn’t support assimilation of Native Americans through boarding schools like Carlisle Industrial School. (Incorrect. With the help of Hoover’s Vice President, Charles Curtice, Hoover promoted full assimilation of Native Americans under the Indian Citizenship Act of 1924.)
- He elected Charles Curtis, a member of the Kaw Tribe, as his running mate and head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. (Correct! Hoover chose Charles Curtis as his running mate and worked alongside him to improve conditions for Native Americans.)
A: He elected Charles Curtis, a member of the Kaw Tribe, as his running mate and head of the Bureau of Indian Affairs.

Q: Which of the following best characterizes President Hoover’s downfall?
- His focus on industrial capitalism and meeting the demand of farmers. (Incorrect. Although allowing industrial capitalism to grow uninterfered was part of the reason Hoover got elected, many Americans believed he needed to provide aid to industry and agriculture during the Great Depression.)
- His progressive policies and failure to reassure the public about economic circumstances (Incorrect. Hoover had conservative policies such as his belief in limited government, and made sugar coated attempts to reassure the public.)
- His foreign policy and diplomacy with Latin American nations (Incorrect. Hoover’s foreign policy and diplomacy with Latin American nations is one of the more positive aspects of his presidency.)
- His inability to compromise on his philosophy of American individualism and laissez-faire economics. (Correct! Hoover had the ability to solve many problems of the Great Depression had he provided aid and more effective policies outside of his initial philosophies.)
A: His inability to compromise on his philosophy of American individualism and laissez-faire economics.

Q: Which of the following is an effect of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff?
- increased sales of American-made goods (Incorrect. Although this was the intention for the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, it proved to decrease sales of American-made goods to foreign countries.)
- increased international trade and improved finances for American manufacturers. (Incorrect. Although this was an intended effect of the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, the increased tariffs resulted in a disruption to international trade and negative effects for American manufacturers.)
- the elimination of WWI reparations to be paid to the U.S. (Incorrect. It was the Hoover Moratorium, not the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, that eliminated the WWI reparations and forgave Allied war debts to America.)
- decreased international trade and closing markets to American manufacturers (Correct! Although Hoover intended the opposite, the increase on imports proved to have negative effects for American manufacturers.)
A: decreased international trade and closing markets to American manufacturers

Q: Which group of Americans were considered less of a priority to employers when competing for jobs during the Great Depression?
- White Americans (Incorrect. White workers were more likely to be hired for low paying positions at this time because of the long held belief in social darwinism.)
- Skilled laborers (Incorrect. Skilled laborers, or those who had an applicable skill set, were more likely to find employment or retain their current employment due to the industrial demand for labor.)
- Farmers (Incorrect. Although farmers experienced a tremendous amount of strife during the Great Depression, their challenges were related to crop prices, environmental factors, and lowering demand rather than racial discrimination.)
- Black Americans (Correct! At a time when jobs were hard to come by, employers were more likely to hire white Americans over Black Americans making their ability to find reliable employment rather difficult.)
A: Black Americans

Q: How did the Great Depression impact women?
- The Great Depression increased employment opportunities for women because they could be paid less than men. (Incorrect. Because women were slowly entering the workforce during this era, they were the first to go and last to be employed. Men took the priority when it came to hiring demands.)
- Single women faced less hardships than married women. (Incorrect. All women faced challenges during the Great Depression, but single women did not have the protection and dependence that married women had on their husbands. Single women often protested to demand employment priority over married women.)
- Women faced less criticism and sexual violence because too many people were occupied with their own problems. (Incorrect. There was an increase in criticism and sexual violence toward women during this time because of their dependence on male counterparts and inability to receive the same employment opportunities as men.)
- Women faced unemployment—they were expected to take care of their family and rely on their husbands (Correct! The Great Depression caused many women to leave the workforce and men were hired over women because it was believed that they needed the employment more.)
A: Women faced unemployment—they were expected to take care of their family and rely on their husbands

Q: Which of the following was a result of the hardships families faced during the Great Depression?
- Increased employment rates because everyone in the family had to work. (Incorrect. Although every family member may have played a role in the financial efforts, it is unlikely that everyone would find employment opportunities.)
- Fewer numbers of families cashing out their insurance policies. (Incorrect. Families would often turn to cashing out their insurance policies once their savings had run out. This was a means of financial survival at the time.)
- Less burdens carried by family members and relief agencies. (Incorrect. Extended family members and relief agencies were often at their maximum capacity to provide help to others during the Great Depression. This was the first place that a family would turn to in times of hardship.)
- Declining marriage and birth rates as well as increased starvation and homelessness. (Correct! Because of the many hardships families faced during the Great Depression, families turned to a cycle of poverty and the structure of families began to break down.)
A: Declining marriage and birth rates as well as increased starvation and homelessness.

Q: How did the “deserving poor” survive despite the government’s initial unwillingness to provide them with assistance?
- They received financial aid from the federal government due to their unique circumstances. (Incorrect. The federal government and President Hoover were unwilling to provide financial aid during this time. Assistance from the federal government would not come until FDR’s presidency.)
- They received food stamps and unemployment benefits while being housed in tenement housing. (Incorrect. Tenement housing is often associated with slums of the Gilded Age, while it was difficult for states to provide any type of monetary benefits.)
- They were given first priority employment opportunities above other groups of Americans. (Incorrect. SInce it was up for debate who could be considered “deserving poor,” it is unlikely that they would receive special privileges in employment.)
- They turned to state governments, private agencies, and religious organizations even though they weren't able to provide much help. (Correct! State and local organizations attempted to help those in poverty due to no circumstances of their own by providing food, small allowances, and fuel.)
A: They turned to state governments, private agencies, and religious organizations even though they weren't able to provide much help.

Q: Which of the following is a primary way in which families adapted to survive the hardships of the Great Depression?
- Families would drive to places around town in search of goods. (Incorrect. Families avoided traveling by car as much as possible in order to conserve fuel.)
- Families would use electricity instead of a wood burning stove. (Incorrect. Families would turn to using scrap wood in the furnace to reduce electrical costs.)
- Families would apply for direct aid from the government. (Incorrect. The federal government was not providing direct aid to families initially during the Great Depression.)
- Families would conserve food and make home-sewn clothing. (Correct! Families tried to prevent food waste and stretch their dollar at every meal, some even made clothes from cotton flour sacks!)
A: Families would conserve food and make home-sewn clothing.

Q: Who might provide food to starving Americans during the early years of the Great Depression?
- federal and state governments (Incorrect. Federal efforts to provide food for starving Americans was very limited. Any effort on behalf of the state may provide some relief but not enough for the number of people who were starving.)
- American Red Cross (Incorrect. Although the Red Cross is a relief organization, it was limited in its effort to provide direct relief in the form of food.)
- business employers (Incorrect. Business employers were already financially stressed during the Great Depression and could not afford to provide any more relief to employees.)
- religious organizations and clubs (Correct! Clubs like the Elks, college student organizations, and churches were dedicated in their efforts to provide food to starving Americans.)
A: religious organizations and clubs

Q: Although the Industrial Revolution increased agricultural productivity, how did the new machinery increase farmers' debt during the Great Depression?
- New machinery that was being produced was appealing to farmers even though they could not afford the steep prices. (Incorrect. Although machinery was appealing and expensive, farmers could not afford to continue buying machines when they were unable to sell crops.)
- The machinery often broke down and caused farmers to turn back to manual agriculture or pay for parts and repairs. (Incorrect. Although farming equipment is expensive to repair, this is not the main cause of farmers' debt during the Great Depression.)
- Farming machinery often ruined the crop yield resulting in no profit for farmers. (Incorrect. Farming equipment often increased the crop yield for farmers, but the lack of agriculture markets and fair prices prevented farmers from making a profit.)
- The machinery, along with decreasing demand, led to farmers owing more money than they could make. (Correct! Farming equipment and machinery were expensive, and the decreased demand in the Great Depression markets prevented farmers from being able to pay off their loans.)
A: The machinery, along with decreasing demand, led to farmers owing more money than they could make.

Q: Which challenge is unique to farmers during the Great Depression?
- starvation (Incorrect. Many Americans faced starvation during the Great Depression. Farmers had a unique advantage in terms of hunger, that they could grow their own food.)
- homelessness (Incorrect. Many Americans became homeless during the Great Depression including elderly, single women, and more. This challenge was not unique to farmers.)
- foreclosure (Incorrect. Although farmers did face foreclosure on their homes and property, this was something that many Americans faced once depleting their savings and all other money sources that may have been used to pay rent or mortgage payments.)
- low crop prices (Correct! Although most goods were being sold at low prices, low crop prices in particular made living difficult for farmers. This was a challenge that made bankruptcy common among farmers.)
A: low crop prices

Q: How did the drought of 1931 exacerbate problems for farmers in the Great Plains?
- The drought made it easier for farmers to overwork the soil and deplete it of its nutrients to grow crops. (Incorrect. Farmers had already been over farming and tilling soil with little regard to its fertility prior to the drought. The drought only intensified these problems.)
- The drought caused farmers to learn how to produce new crops that could grow in a dry climate. (Incorrect. The dust storms that followed the drought made it impossible for farmers to cultivate the land and produce crops or retain livestock.)
- The drought caused the health of farming families to improve due to lack of allergens. (Incorrect. The drought was followed by “black blizzards” that eventually caused “dust pneumonia” among many Great Plains settlers.)
- The drought exposed overworked soil that turned to dust and churned it into storms unfit for agricultural production. (Correct! Farmers had faced years of consistent production until the drought increased environmental problems that resulted in the long and difficult disaster called the Dust Bowl.)
A: The drought exposed overworked soil that turned to dust and churned it into storms unfit for agricultural production.

Q: How did the Dust Bowl impact the rural banking system?
- Country banks beat out urban banks because they had closer ties to farmers and local communities. (Incorrect. Although country farms understood farmers more than urban banks, this did not help them when it came to bankruptcy and their lack of reserves.)
- Large banks were able to help farmers keep their land and use loans to maintain their property. (Incorrect. Large banks were not in a position to give out loans or do any favors for rural farms. Urban banks were more interested in foreclosing on the farms than keeping their doors open.)
- Country banks were able to survive the Dust Bowl and increased in numbers between 1930 and 1932 due to mistrust of urban banks. (Incorrect. Although thousands were rushing to rural life to escape urban poverty, country banks were unable to survive at the same rate as urban banks. There was a sharp decrease in country banks from 1930-1932.)
- Country banks closed due to their inability to fund farms and mortgages and were swallowed up by larger banks (Correct! Country farms, who understood the plight of farmers, were closed up by urban farms. The urban banks then foreclosed on farms.)
A: Country banks closed due to their inability to fund farms and mortgages and were swallowed up by larger banks

Q: Which of the following statements best describes the experience of immigrants during the Dust Bowl?
- The number of people immigrating to America was greater than the number of people emigrating out during the Dust Bowl. (Incorrect. The number of people emigrating out of America was greater than the number of people immigrating to America due to Hoover’s immigration restrictions.)
- Most foreign workers were accepted with open arms because they would work for lower wages. (Incorrect. Even though immigrants at the time may have worked for lower wages, other Americans did not welcome this type of intense job competition.)
- President Hoover’s immigration politics welcomed European immigration but restricted Mexican immigration. (Incorrect. Hoover's exclusionary politics restricted the number of European visas and demanded deportation of Mexican immigrants. These types of exclusionary politics would not change until FDR’s New Deal program, the Immigration and Naturalization Service.)
- Immigrants were being deported in the thousands and were often unwelcomed because it was believed they would exacerbate the economic crisis. (Correct! Hoover and the State Department worked to limit immigration to America and push out those who were here competing with Americans for jobs.)
A: Immigrants were being deported in the thousands and were often unwelcomed because it was believed they would exacerbate the economic crisis.

Q: Which of the following explains the public’s response to westward migration during the Dust Bowl?
- Local residents welcomed migrants into their homes and worked alongside them to survive the Dust Bowl. (Incorrect. Local residents were not this accepting, and often resented migrants because they increased the competition for jobs.)
- The government was sympathetic to migrants and created committees to assist them throughout the Dust Bowl. (Incorrect. The government did not become sympathetic toward migrants until it was too late. By the time these committees were created the country was on the brink of WWII.)
- States set up shelter, food, and resources for migrants and asked them to work in industrial jobs in return. (Incorrect. States were not able to provide assistance to migrants and often established “border blockades” to prevent migrants from entering their state and taking over jobs.)
- Migration was not favored by most communities, but people became more sympathetic toward migrants after John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath demonstrated their suffering. (Correct! Communities were reluctant to welcome migrants at first, but this book and film brought attention to their experiences close to the start of WWII.)
A: Migration was not favored by most communities, but people became more sympathetic toward migrants after John Steinbeck's The Grapes of Wrath demonstrated their suffering.

Q: Which of the following is an example of challenges Black Americans faced during the Great Depression?
- Black Americans were given priority farming and flourished in rural areas. (Incorrect. Although many African Americans turned to rural areas, those who had been sharecroppers were evicted or forced to abandon their land as a means of survival.)
- Black Americans received judicial protection in the face of systematic racism and violence. (Incorrect. The justice system was equally notorious for facism and did not offer protection to those exposed to racial violence or accusations of crimes.)
- Black Americans were forced north in the Great Migration and were welcomed in northern communities. (Incorrect. The Great Migration was voluntary for those who hoped to escape the racial violence of the south. Migrants found that there was still systematic racism in the north such as redlining.)
- Black Americans faced employment discrimination and were unable to find or keep jobs. (Correct! Many employers at the time were more willing to hire White Americans. When businesses had to layoff workers, African Americans were the first to go.)
A: Black Americans faced employment discrimination and were unable to find or keep jobs.

Q: What was the result of the Scottsboro Boys trial in the early 1930s?
- The case determined that the boys were guilty and had significant evidence to prove their guilt, including eyewitnesses and testimony. (Incorrect. The Scottsboro Boys case lacked sufficient evidence and one of the women recanted her testimony shortly after the case started.)
- The case resulted in eight of the nine boys being granted pardons in 1932 by authority of the Supreme Court without any parole obligations. (Incorrect. The boys were not set free and did not receive pardons until 2013.)
- The Scottsboro trial consisted of a jury of peers and resulted in those who were proven guilty being sentenced to life in prison. (Incorrect. The trial consisted of an all-white jury and excluded any potential Black jurors. The original sentence ordered all but one of the boys to death.)
- Once the trial went to the Supreme Court, they ruled that the case had violated the boys’ Fourteenth Amendment and denied them adequate legal representation or fair trial. (Correct! The Supreme Court agreed that due process was not followed in this case, however many of the boys still faced lengthy prison terms.)
A: Once the trial went to the Supreme Court, they ruled that the case had violated the boys’ Fourteenth Amendment and denied them adequate legal representation or fair trial.

Q: What type of farming did rural Black Americans turn to in order to survive the Great Depression?
- crop rotation (Incorrect. Crop rotation refers to rotating crops in order to preserve and maintain fertile soil. This type of farming could have prevented some of the effects of the Dust Bowl.)
- three sisters farming (Incorrect. Three sisters farming refers to an early farming practice of cultivating corn, beans, and squash.)
- sharecropping (Incorrect. Many Black Americans turned to sharecropping after the Civil War, however many sharecroppers were kicked off their property during the Great Depression.)
- subsistence farming (Correct! Subsistence farming is a term that refers to the type of farming when farmers use all of their crops and livestock to maintain the family’s survival. This type of farming was a means of survival during the Great Depression.)
A: subsistence farming

Q: How did American culture represent the shift in values from the 1920’s to the 1930’s?
- Films about wealth and spending became popular. (Incorrect. Although this was a characteristic of culture of the “Roaring Twenties,” wealth and spending did not reflect the values of the Great Depression.)
- Americans refrained from the arts because it focused on everyone's transition from riches to rags. (Incorrect. Art that focused on the transition from rags to riches gave Americans hope after suffering through the Great Depression.)
- Americans stayed away from cultural films that distracted them from working hard.. (Incorrect. Art gave Americans a form of escape from the struggles in their day to day life, and attracted wider audiences)
- The arts emphasized collectivism and preserving family life rather than luxury. (Correct! Now more than ever Americans turned to culture and art for a sense of community and this represented the change in values that people struggled to maintain during the Great Depression.)
A: The arts emphasized collectivism and preserving family life rather than luxury.

Q: Which of the following statements best represents the transition in values from the 1920’s to the 1930’s?
- Americans showed an increase in individualism rather than collectivism and family values.. (Incorrect. Americans focused on family and community values more than ever during the 1930’s.)
- Americans showed little desire to fight corruption and equality. (Incorrect. Americans showed a desire to fight corrupt business and politics as well as wealth inequality as demonstrated in the film <em>Mr. Smith Goes to Washington</em>.)
- Americans did not support entertainment because it was a distraction to hard work and family. (Incorrect. Entertainment in all forms was a form of escapism for many Americans during the Great Depression.)
- Americans showed an increase in sexuality as shown in increased contraceptive sales. (Correct! The birth rates of the 1930’s were dropping, but new contraceptive sales and flirtatious pop culture demonstrated the shift in values of many Americans.)
A: Americans showed an increase in sexuality as shown in increased contraceptive sales.

Q: Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath demonstrated a shift in values from individualism to collectivism. Which term reflects a political ideology that favors the community as a whole?
- capitalism (Incorrect. Capitalism is an economic system that favors individualism and competition rather than collectivism.)
- corruption (Incorrect. Although many films reflected the public’s discontent with business and political corruption, this term does not represent the wellness of a community as a whole.)
- escapism (Incorrect. Although entertainment reflected a form of escapism for many Americans, this term represents an escape from daily struggles rather than the value of community.)
- communism (Correct! There was an increase in support for communism, a political theory that favors the community as a whole rather than individualism and competition.)
A: communism

Q: The Federal Reserve is the government agency responsible for
- regulating big businesses and auditing their accounts. (Incorrect. The Federal Reserve is not tasked with the regulation of big business or account auditing.)
- employment assistance. (Incorrect. Employment assistance is not a responsibility of the Federal Reserve.)
- managing and distributing pensions and benefits to veterans. (Incorrect. The Federal Reserve does not oversee veterans’ benefits or pensions.)
- setting interest rates and regulating the money supply. (Correct! The Federal Reserve is in charge of monetary policy, which includes control of money supply and determining interest rates.)
A: setting interest rates and regulating the money supply.

Q: Which of the following was the trigger event for the Great Depression as defined in the Historical Hack?
- The Bonus March. (Incorrect. The Bonus March of 1932 was not the trigger event for the Great Depression, but an effect of it.)
- The beginning of World War II. (Incorrect. World War II did not trigger the Great Depression. The economic hardships during the Great Depression in fact factored into the outbreak of World War II.)
- the high unemployment rate. (Incorrect. The high unemployment rate was an effect of the Great Depression, not the trigger for it.)
- The stock market crash of 1929. (Correct! There were multiple factors leading to the Great Depression, with the stock market crash in 1929 serving as the trigger for it.)
A: The stock market crash of 1929.

Q: Which of the following were the prior vulnerabilities that contributed to the Great Depression?
- The stock market crash and the New Deal programs. (Incorrect. The stock market crash was the trigger for the Great Depression, while the New Deal programs were the results of it.)
- The high unemployment rate and the outbreak of World War II. (Incorrect. The high unemployment rate resulted from the Great Depression. World War II began in 1939 after the stock market crash that touched off the Great Depression in 1929.)
- The decrease in wages and the change in attitudes of Americans towards government regulation of the economy. (Incorrect. The Great Depression led to the decrease in wages and altered Americans’ views of the government’s role in regulating the economy.)
- Speculative investing and the lack of banking regulations. (Correct! Speculative investment and inadequate regulation of financial institutions in the U.S. economy before the stock market crash in 1929 contributed to the Great Depression.)
A: Speculative investing and the lack of banking regulations.

Q: Which of the following was an effect of the Great Depression as defined in the historical hack?
- The repeal of Prohibition. (Incorrect. Repeal of Prohibition was not a direct effect of the Great Depression. An end to Prohibition enabled the government to collect revenue from taxes on alcohol, which helped fund the New Deal program.)
- A change in attitudes towards government regulation. (Incorrect. A shift in Americans’ attitudes towards government regulation occurred as a result of the Great Depression, not as a direct effect.)
- Development of Social Welfare Programs. (The development of Social Welfare programs was a result of, or a lesson learned from, the Great Depression. It was not an immediate effect of the Great Depression.)
- Homelessness and the development of Hoovervilles. (Correct! The Great Depression directly caused many Americans to lose their homes and have to live in shantytowns referred to as Hoovervilles.)
A: Homelessness and the development of Hoovervilles.

Q: Which of the following was the result of the Great Depression as defined in the Historical Hack?
- World War I (Incorrect. World War I broke out in 1914 and ended in 1918. The Great Depression began in 1929.)
- The Populist Movement (Incorrect. The Populist Movement gained momentum in the late 19th century and was not a result of the Great Depression, which began in 1929.)
- Prohibition (Incorrect. The Great Depression did not result in Prohibition, which came into effect in 1920. The Great Depression, however, led to the repeal of Prohibition.)
- The New Deal (Correct! The New Deal was created in response to the social and economic problems during the Great Depression with the goals of relief, recovery, and reform.)
A: The New Deal

Q: Which of the following was a long-term result of the Great Depression?
- Anti-trust legislation. (Incorrect. Anti-trust legislation existed in the late 19th century, long before the onset of the Great Depression.)
- The regulation of big businesses. (Incorrect. The U.S. government regulated big businesses in the 19th century. The Great Depression began in 1929 and ended during WWII.)
- The establishment of the Federal Reserve. (Incorrect. The Federal Reserve was established in 1913 before the Great Depression, which started in 1929.)
- The Social Security program. (Correct! The Social Security program was created in response to the economic hardships caused by the Great Depression. The program still provides a safety net for Americans to this day.)
A: The Social Security program.