Knowledge Builders

what was the political impact of the great depression

by Dr. Wilson Spencer Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
image

Full Answer

How did the Great Depression affect the world politically?

The timeline of the Great Depression shows this was a gradual—though necessary—process. The Depression affected politics by shaking confidence in unfettered capitalism. That type of laissez-faire economics is what President Herbert Hoover advocated, and it had failed.

Which were the main causes of the Great Depression?

  • During the 1920s the United States had great economic development . ...
  • At the end of the 1920s, agricultural production and construction began to stagnate, this caused a decrease in consumption . ...
  • The decline in sales of industrial products produced a wave of layoffs in industries. ...

More items...

What were the social impacts of the Great Depression?

Social Impacts of Great Depression ... -working women were accused of taking jobs. Poverty and Society (continued) *Discrimination increases-African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans suffered as white laborers began to demand the low-paying jobs usually filled by minorities .

Can politics cause depression?

Yes, politics can cause depression. When I was 17 I went through the same thing. It was before the internet, but I was really into world politics. I read all sorts of serious magazines, newspapers, etc. And I got really depressed. Depression of that sort, to me, is caused by feelings of hopelessness and helplessness.

image

What were three political effects of the Great Depression?

Specifically, it led to several key impacts, including: the 1932 election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the creation of the New Deal, a general shift left in American politics, and the rise of extremist ideologies around the world.

What were the political causes of the Great Depression?

The Great Depression was a global economic crisis that may have been triggered by political decisions including war reparations post-World War I, protectionism such as the imposition of congressional tariffs on European goods or by speculation that caused the Stock Market Collapse of 1929.

How did the Great Depression affect society and politics?

The Great Depression of 1929 devastated the U.S. economy. A third of all banks failed. 1 Unemployment rose to 25%, and homelessness increased. 2 Housing prices plummeted, international trade collapsed, and deflation soared.

What was the political legacy of the Great Depression?

The New Deal changed the way people thought about the role of the government. Perhaps the most important new law was the Social Security Act. This act (through a payroll tax) provided retirement for the elderly, assistance to the disabled, and unemployment insurance. It is still a major part of the government today.

What was happening politically in the 1930s?

Roosevelt built a coalition of labor unions, women, African Americans, ethnic groups, and the middle class that redefined American politics and lasted until the 1960s. Besides economic and political change, the 1930s also saw a change in attitude toward civil rights.

What was the social impact of the Great Depression?

The Great Depression brought a rapid rise in the crime rate as many unemployed workers resorted to petty theft to put food on the table. Suicide rates rose, as did reported cases of malnutrition. Prostitution was on the rise as desperate women sought ways to pay the bills.

What was the biggest impact of the Great Depression?

The U.S. economy shrank by a third from the beginning of the Great Depression to the bottom four years later. Real GDP fell 29% from 1929 to 1933. The unemployment rate reached a peak of 25% in 1933. Consumer prices fell 25%; wholesale prices plummeted 32%.

What was the impact of the Great Depression of 1929?

How did the Great Depression affect the American economy? In the United States, where the Depression was generally worst, industrial production between 1929 and 1933 fell by nearly 47 percent, gross domestic product (GDP) declined by 30 percent, and unemployment reached more than 20 percent.

Who did the Great Depression impact?

Over the next several years, consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and employment as failing companies laid off workers. By 1933, when the Great Depression reached its lowest point, some 15 million Americans were unemployed and nearly half the country's banks had failed.

What impact did capitalism have on the Great Depression?

Capitalism was involved with the cause and effects of the Great Depression in many ways. The stock market crashed leading banks to fail, the nations money supply diminished and companies failed. This led to people losing their jobs, farms and even their homes.

What political impact did the Great Depression have a many Latin American countries?

The rise of fascism also became apparent in Latin American countries in the 1930s due to the Great Depression. Fascist governments were the result of a desire for nationalism, which rulers like Getúlio Vargas of Brazil played on through propaganda.

What effects did the government response to the Great Depression have on the credit industry?

FDR's credit policies during the Great Depression had a lasting and positive effect on the credit industry, making banks and investments much safer and less risky. Under FDR, Congress created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which guaranteed that deposits over $2,500 were secure and could not be lost.

What were the 7 Major causes of the Great Depression?

The speculative boom of the 1920s.Stock market crash of 1929.Oversupply and overproduction problems.Low demand, high unemployment.Missteps by the Federal Reserve.A constrained presidential response.An ill-timed tariff.

What was the relationship between the Great Depression and political instability?

What was the relationship between the Great Depression and political instability? The depression weakened Europe and the USA, which made the people angry and question their governments. In Germany, it was another cause for Hitler's rise to power. Define "totalitarianism".

What political impact did the Great Depression have a many Latin American countries?

The rise of fascism also became apparent in Latin American countries in the 1930s due to the Great Depression. Fascist governments were the result of a desire for nationalism, which rulers like Getúlio Vargas of Brazil played on through propaganda.

How were the political and economic realities of the 1920s directly linked to the Great Depression?

There were many aspects to the economy of the 1920s that led to one of the most crucial causes of the Great Depression - the stock market crash of 1929. In the early 1920s, consumer spending had reached an all-time high in the United States. American companies were mass-producing goods, and consumers were buying.

When Was The Great Depression?

In Panic As Stocks Crash', published on the day of the initial Wall Street Crash of "Black Thursday," Oct. 24, 1929. Icon Communications / Getty Images Contributor

What was the dominant party in the United States during the Great Depression?

In the United States, the Republican Party was the dominant force from the Civil War to the Great Depression. In 1932, Americans elected Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt (" New Deal "); the Democratic Party was the dominant party until the election of Ronald Reagan in 1980.

How much did savings drop in 1929?

Personal and corporate savings dropped from $15.3 billion in 1929 to $2.3 billion in 1933. Fewer banks, tighter credit, less money to pay employees, less money for employees to buy goods. This is the "too little consumption" theory sometimes used to explain the Great Depression but it, too, is discounted as being the sole cause.

What was Germany burdened with?

Germany was burdened with massive war reparations, a political decision on the part of the victors. Britain and France needed to rebuild. U.S. banks were more than willing to loan money. However, once U.S. banks began failing the banks not only stopped making loans, they wanted their money back.

How much of the stock market was wiped out by the Great Depression?

The crash wiped out 40 percent of the paper value of common stock. Although this was a cataclysmic blow, most scholars do not believe that the stock market crash, alone, was sufficient to have caused the Great Depression.

Why did the Fed raise interest rates?

In 1928 and 1929, the Fed raised interest rates to try to curb Wall Street speculation, otherwise known as a "bubble .". Economist Brad DeLong believes the Fed "overdid it" and brought on a recession.

Where was the picture of unemployed men in the 1930s?

This picture shows unemployed men in Manhattan, New York, in the 1930s. Charles Phelps Cushing/ClassicStock

How did the Great Depression affect American society?

Yet, paradoxically, the turmoil of the 1930s turned out to be predominantly conservative in its impact on American society. The Great Depression taught people of all social classes the value of economic security and the need to endure and survive hard times rather than to take risks with one’s life or money. Moreover, faced with the spectre of totalitarian ideologies in Europe and Japan, Americans rediscovered the virtues of democracy and the essential decency of the ordinary citizen—the near-mythical “common man” who was celebrated in Roosevelt’s speeches, Frank Capra ’s movies, and Norman Rockwell ’s paintings. Thus, a decade marked by fundamental—even radical—social change ended for most with a reaffirmation of America’s cultural past and its traditional political ideals.

Why did the Great Depression come early?

African American farmer using a mule-drawn cultivator, photographed by Doris Ullman. Because most African Americans were involved in farming or other agricultural work, the Great Depression came early for them. Library of Congress, Washington, D.C.

What did communists give to the US?

Meanwhile, the communist parties in the United States and in western Europe gave intellectuals —as well as teachers, lawyers, architects, and other middle-class professionals—a feeling that they were no longer solitary individuals suffering from the failures of capitalism but belonged instead to a vibrant community of like-minded souls, in that they were participants in an international movement larger than themselves and that they were literally making history. For all these reasons Marxism, the Soviet Union, and the various national communist parties enjoyed a prestige and a popularity through much of the 1930s that they had never possessed in the 1920s and would never again enjoy after the Great Depression.

What did American intellectuals think of the United States in the 1920s?

By contrast, many American intellectuals in the 1920s, disillusioned by what they considered the pointless carnage of World War I, had shown little interest in politics or social movements. Nor did they display much affection for life in the United States. Indeed, most American novelists, poets, artists, composers, and scientists continued to believe, as they had since the 19th century, that the United States was culturally inferior to Europe. So, to learn the latest modernist techniques in literature, painting, or music, or to study the most advanced theories in physics or psychoanalysis, they assumed they had to go to London, Paris, Berlin, Vienna, or Copenhagen.

What was the greatest crisis in American history?

Political movements and social change. Aside from the Civil War, the Great Depression was the gravest crisis in American history. Just as in the Civil War, the United States appeared—at least at the start of the 1930s—to be falling apart. But for all the turbulence and the panic, the ultimate effects of the Great Depression were less revolutionary ...

When did Stalin and Hitler sign a pact?

Still, it was not until August 1939 , when Stalin shocked the world by signing a nonaggression pact with his archenemy Hitler, that the Soviet Union and the Communist Party in the United States lost what was left of their moral authority with all but a few American intellectuals.

Which country was the only country to aid in any serious way the Spanish Republicans against the armies of Francisco Franco?

Nowhere did Moscow’s desire for a broad antifascist coalition appear more genuine than in the Spanish Civil War (1936–39), when the Soviet Union was the only country besides Mexico to aid in any serious way the Spanish Republicans against the armies of Francisco Franco (supported by Hitler and Benito Mussolini ).

What was the Great Depression?

DeLacy would go on and win election to Congress in 1944, the legacy of the WCF's left-labor coalition in Washington. The Great Depression transformed political life and remade governmental institutions throughout the United States, and indeed throughout the world. The inability of governments to respond to the crisis led to widespread political unrest that in some nations toppled regimes.

What led to widespread political unrest that in some nations toppled regimes?

The inability of governments to respond to the crisis led to widespread political unrest that in some nations toppled regimes. In the United States, a long era of Republican Party domination came to a close with the election of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in November 1932.

What was the left/labor political coalition?

The left/labor political coalition launched a 1936 electoral campaign to challenge the right wing, anti-New Deal Democrats in Washington State, as well as advocate radical propoerty redistribution and social insurance policies.

How did the CBI and Sinclair help the unemployed?

Both CBI and Sinclair pledged to end poverty by having the state take over idle farms and factories and turn them into cooperatives of the unemployed. For the 1934 campaign, Commonwealth Builders recruited candidates to run as Democrats and met with some success.

How did the changes in Soviet foreign policy affect the Washington Commonwealth Federation?

The changes in Soviet foreign policy heavil y influenced the foreign policy of the Washington Commonwealth Federation, leading to successes and losses in state politics and public influence.

What happened to the ballot measure in the 1930s?

However, the Washington Supreme Court, in a tortured reading of the state constitution, invalidated the ballot measure, leaving Washington as one of the only politically progressive states to exit the 1930s without enacting an income tax. The legislature then went to work reorganizing the tax code in other ways.

How did the Washington DC project help the labor movement?

The political climate and Democratic Party control of Washington DC and Olympia also helped the labor movement to reorganize and fostered the rapid growth of new unions as developed in the section on Strikes and Unions. In addition, the era saw new political initiatives emerge in the African American and Filipino American communities as civil rights activists found new allies on the left side of the Democratic Party and in radical groups like the Communist Party. For more on this see our section on Civil Rights.

What were the consequences of the Great Depression?

The most important political consequence of the Great Depression was of course the rise of right-wing authoritarianism in Germany , Austria, Central and Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Which countries were democracies in 1929?

2 The following countries were democracies in 1929 and held at least one democratic election between the Wall Street Crash and the Second World War: Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Costa Rica, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic and Slovakia), Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Latvia, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway , Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

How are governments successful?

Governments are most successful, in these models, when they maintain a high level of support in the population as a whole (or, alternatively, among swing voters), by proving themselves to be competent economic managers or otherwise worthy of reward.

What newspaper reported that center-left parties failed to capitalize on an economic crisis tailor-made for critics of the free?

In 2009, for example, the Economist , a right-of-center newspaper, noted in its coverage of the elections to the European Parliament that center-left parties “failed to capitalise on an economic crisis tailor-made for critics of the free market.”.

When did the right senses win the European poll?

The Times. 2009. Right Senses Victory in European Poll as Left Fails to Gain from Global Crisis. June 4, 2009.

Did Hanspeter Kriesi find evidence of a swing to the right in early post-crisis elections?

In his contribution to this issue, Hanspeter Kriesi notes that he found no evidence of a swing to the right in early post-crisis elections in the Great Recession in the sample that he has studied (which includes more Central, Eastern, and Southern European countries than my sample, but no non-European countries).

How did the Great Depression affect the economy?

Most historians agree that the Great Depression had devastating effects on the international economy. In order to prevent another catastrophic event from reoccurring, the government generally spends whenever the economy slows . It gives money back to Americans through tax cuts and financial support. Additionally, the Federal Reserve lowers interest rates, making it cheaper for people to borrow money. When people and businesses can borrow money easily, they ’re more likely to spend it and keep the economy humming along. This policy has kept recessions from turning into depressions ever since.

What was the Great Depression?

The Great Depression was a big economic slump in the 1930’s. Many Americans lost their jobs, their savings, and their homes. However, the United States was not the only affected country. The business slump affected the entire world.

What was the Austrian view of the Great Depression?

The Austrian view states that the unsustainable credit boom in the 1920’s was the major cause. Particularly, the decision in inflate the U.S. economy to try and help the United Kingdom remain on the Gold standard rate was an indelible mistake (Economics Essays: Causes of Great Depression).

What was the 1920s?

The 1920’s were a time of great economic and technological growth in America. World War I had just ended, and Americans were ready to take a break from the anxiety of world politics. During this time, known as the Roaring Twenties, Americans were focused on making money and having fun.

How many banks were there in 1929?

When borrowers were unable to repay their loans, banks failed. “In 1929, there were 25,568 banks in the United States; by 1933, there were only 14,771. Personal and corporate savings dropped from $15.3 billion in 1929 to $2.3 billion in 1933.” (5 Possible Causes of the Great Depression).

Was the stock market crash a sign of the depression?

Most historians and economists agree that the stock market crash was just one of many contributors to the slump. In reality, it was more of a sign that things had already gone wrong. To understand the Depression’s causes, one must go further back.

What were the political problems during the Great Depression?

Political Problems in America During the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a global, financial crisis that occurred in the late 1920s and lasted throughout the end of World War II. Toward the end of 1933, millions of Americans were jobless. This economic devastation caused food insecurity and massive unemployment as people stood in ...

How did the Depression affect African Americans?

During the Depression, racism and discrimination against African Americans reached a breaking point. Although many Americans faced job insecurity, by 1932 almost half of all African Americans were out of work. This economic uncertainty fueled the already intense racial hatred toward blacks. In the North, some white Americans called for blacks to be fired from jobs because whites were out of work. Racial violence against blacks also intensified in the South. According to the Library of Congress, lynchings of black Americans increased from eight in 1932 to 28 in 1933. President Roosevelt attempted to soothe race relations by calling on some African Americans as advisers to work in the federal government. He also passed Executive Order 8802 which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, sex, and color in defense industry jobs.

How did President Roosevelt try to soothe race relations?

President Roosevelt attempted to soothe race relations by calling on some African Americans as advisers to work in the federal government. He also passed Executive Order 8802 which outlawed discrimination on the basis of race, sex, and color in defense industry jobs.

How many Americans worked on public roads during the New Deal?

Programs such as the Works Progress Administration employed over 8 million Americans to work on public roads and parks. However, President Roosevelt received push back from right wing politicians who disliked the New Deal policies and thought they were socialist.

What was the unemployment rate in 1933?

From 1933 to 1934, the jobless rate was at an extraordinary 25 percent with another 25 percent who had their hours and wages cut, reports Collin County Community College. This meant that one out of every two households in the United States was either unemployed or underemployed.

Who was the liberal who opposed the New Deal?

Roosevelt also received criticism from fellow liberals like Louisiana Senator Huey P. Long, who believed the New Deal policies should go further. Long wanted the federal government to offer a guaranteed household income for each American family -- paid for by high taxes on the wealthy.

What happened before the Wall Street crash?

Herbert Hoover began his presidency eight months before the Wall Street Crash of 1929, which destabilized the banking system in the United States and caused many Americans to lose their livelihoods and net worth.

How did social Darwinism impact imperialism?

Weegy: Social Darwinism impact imperialism by making imperialistic nations believe that their imperialistic ventures were a natural turn of events and not a cruel, system of government. [ ] (More)

Which country was most influential in making sure the terms of the Treaty of Versailles punished Germany?

France was most influential in making sure the terms of the treaty of versailles punished Germany.

image

1.Impacts of the Great Depression - HISTORY CRUNCH

Url:https://www.historycrunch.com/impacts-of-the-great-depression.html

11 hours ago  · Creating a Liberal Consensus: Political Impact of the Great Depression The Great Depression permanently shifted American politics toward increased fiscal liberalism, but …

2.Great Depression - Marxism and the Great Depression

Url:https://www.britannica.com/event/Great-Depression/Political-movements-and-social-change

15 hours ago The Great Depression has had a lasting impact on the world and the United States. Specifically, it led to several key impacts, including: the 1932 election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the creation …

3.Politics in Great Depression: Washington State

Url:https://depts.washington.edu/depress/politics.shtml

2 hours ago  · In 1933, the national debt was $22.5 billion, and by 1934, it was $27 billion. 9 He cut back government spending by 1938, and the Depression resumed. No one wants to make …

4.The Political Consequences of the Great Depression and …

Url:https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/spsr.12007

2 hours ago  · The most important political consequence of the Great Depression was of course the rise of right-wing authoritarianism in Germany, Austria, Central and Eastern Europe, and …

5.Political and Economic Causes of the Great Depression

Url:https://www.ukessays.com/essays/history/the-great-depression-political-and-economic-in-the-americas.php

7 hours ago The Great Depression: Political and Economic Causes in the Americas. The Great Depression was a big economic slump in the 1930’s. Many Americans lost their jobs, their savings, and …

6.Political Problems in America During the Great Depression

Url:https://classroom.synonym.com/political-problems-america-during-great-depression-6420.html

21 hours ago  · What political impact did the Great Depression have on ,many Latin American countries? A. The financial crisis led to a rise in democratic elections. B. Military coups due to …

7.What political impact did the Great Depression have on …

Url:https://www.weegy.com/?ConversationId=I5TJPUI3&Link=i

22 hours ago

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9