CHAPTER 14
Growth and Depression in the United States, 1900-1940
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
Discuss growth in the United States from 1900 to 1920.
Describe the impact of the Great Depression on the United States.
OUTLINE OF CHAPTER
I. Spectacular Growth, 1900-1929
II. Ominous Signs in the 1920s
III. The Great Depression
KEY TERMS
depreciation
decrease in the value of plants and equipment over time
fascism
New Deal
a series of progressive programs and reforms initiated during the period 1933 1937 under
President Franklin D. Roosevelt designed to take the United States out of the Depression
retained earnings
profits not distributed to shareholders
run on the bank
ANSWERS TO END OF CHAPTER REVIEW QUESTIONS
Discuss growth in the United States from 1900 to 1920.
1. Give examples of how output in the United States grew from 1900 1920.
2. What were some problems in the 1920s that were later recognized as warnings of the
Great Depression?
Describe the impact of the Great Depression on the United States.
3. it called the Great Recession?
4. What were some economic impacts of the Great Depression for workers? For
businesses?
5. Why was unemployment such a dire situation for some workers in the Great Depression?
6. during this period of time?
7. What is the New Deal? What are some examples of programs initiated during the New
Deal?
8. How do you think the programs stemming from the New Deal kept future recessions
from turning into major depressions?
Explain what is happening with the status of women, unions, and non-white groups in the
period.
9. What are some examples of positive protections for women workers in this period?
10. Why was the South resistant to giving women and former slaves the right to vote?
11. What were some examples of union activity and their outcomes? What were unions
trying to achieve?
12. What is fascism? How did this affect certain groups of people? Give examples.
Fascism is a system of government led by a dictator having complete power and forcibly
Explain U.S. colonialism and its relationship to wars fought in the early twentieth century.
13. What is the reason for a country to hold colonies? How are profits generated from
holding colonies?
14. How are the holding of colonies related to World War I?
One reason for WWI was the clash between England and Germany with England wanting
APPENDIX 14.1
Socialism, 1900-1940
SUMMARY OF APPENDIX
This appendix briefly describes the development of socialist movements in Western Europe