Great Depression

Definition

The Great Depression was a severe and prolonged economic downturn that affected much of the world, including the United States, in the 1930s. It was a time of high unemployment, reduced industrial output, and widespread financial hardship that had a significant impact on the design and evolution of the presidency, as well as the public's perception and expectations of the executive office.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Depression led to a significant increase in the power and influence of the presidency, as the public demanded more active government intervention to address the economic crisis.
2. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, which included the establishment of new federal agencies and the expansion of social welfare initiatives, significantly reshaped the design and evolution of the presidency.
3. The public's perception of the presidency was greatly influenced by the government's response to the Great Depression, with many citizens looking to the president as the primary leader responsible for addressing the crisis.
4. The economic hardship and high unemployment rates during the Great Depression led to a shift in the public's expectations of the presidency, with a greater emphasis on the president's ability to manage the economy and provide relief to the American people.
5. The Great Depression also had a lasting impact on the public's trust in government and the political system, with many citizens feeling disillusioned and skeptical of the government's ability to effectively address economic challenges.

Review Questions

• Explain how the Great Depression influenced the design and evolution of the presidency.
  • The Great Depression had a significant impact on the design and evolution of the presidency. The severe economic crisis led to a marked increase in the power and influence of the executive branch, as the public demanded more active government intervention to address the challenges of the depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, which included the establishment of new federal agencies and the expansion of social welfare initiatives, reshaped the presidency by expanding its role in the economy and the lives of American citizens. The public's perception of the presidency also shifted, with a greater emphasis on the president's ability to manage the economy and provide relief to the American people. This increased focus on the president's economic responsibilities and the public's heightened expectations of the executive office were key factors in the design and evolution of the presidency during and after the Great Depression.
• Describe how the Great Depression influenced the public's perception and expectations of the presidency.
  • The Great Depression had a profound impact on the public's perception and expectations of the presidency. The severe economic hardship and high unemployment rates during this period led to a shift in the public's view of the executive office, with a greater emphasis on the president's ability to manage the economy and provide relief to the American people. The government's response to the crisis, particularly President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, shaped the public's perception of the presidency as a more active and interventionist institution, responsible for addressing the challenges facing the nation. This increased focus on the president's economic responsibilities and the public's heightened expectations of the executive office were key factors in the evolution of the presidency during and after the Great Depression, as the public looked to the president as the primary leader responsible for addressing the country's economic woes.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the Great Depression on the public's trust in government and the political system.
  • The Great Depression had a lasting impact on the public's trust in government and the political system. The severe economic hardship and the government's initial failure to effectively address the crisis led to widespread disillusionment and skepticism among the American people. The public's perception of the government's ability to manage the economy and provide for the welfare of its citizens was significantly eroded during this period. However, the implementation of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal programs, which expanded the federal government's role in the economy and social welfare, helped to restore some of the public's faith in the government's capacity to address economic challenges. Nevertheless, the Great Depression left a lasting mark on the public's trust in the political system, with many citizens remaining wary of the government's ability to effectively manage economic crises and protect the interests of the American people. This legacy of distrust and skepticism towards the government and the political system continues to shape the public's perception of the presidency and its role in addressing the nation's economic and social challenges.

Related terms

Stock Market Crash of 1929: The dramatic collapse of stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange in October 1929, which is widely regarded as the trigger for the Great Depression.

New Deal: A series of economic programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the 1930s to address the challenges of the Great Depression, including increased government intervention and the expansion of the federal government's role in the economy.

Hooverville: Informal settlements of makeshift shelters and shacks built by the homeless and unemployed during the Great Depression, named after President Herbert Hoover, who was in office at the start of the crisis.