US History Chapter 15 Quiz

1.

When the Dow Jones Industrial Average began to drop sharply in late October 1929,

A.

Investors bought record shares of stock
B.

Bankers pardoned personal loans and mortgages
C.

President Hoover warned Americans to stop investing
D.

Investors raced to get their money out of the stock market

Correct Answer
D. Investors raced to get their money out of the stock market

Explanation
During the sharp drop in the Dow Jones Industrial Average in late October 1929, investors panicked and hurriedly withdrew their money from the stock market. This was likely due to the fear of losing their investments as the market continued to decline rapidly. As a result, investors rushed to sell their stocks and convert them into cash, hoping to minimize their losses. This mass exodus from the stock market contributed to the worsening of the economic crisis known as the Great Depression.

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2.

A major environmental crisis of the 1930s was known as

A.

The Dust Bowl
B.

Black Tuesday
C.

The Grapes of Wrath
D.

The Great Crash

Correct Answer
A. The Dust Bowl

Explanation
The major environmental crisis of the 1930s that is being referred to in this question is known as the Dust Bowl. This was a period of severe dust storms and drought that affected the Great Plains region of the United States. It resulted in the displacement of thousands of farmers and the destruction of their crops and livelihoods. The term "Dust Bowl" was coined by newspapers at the time to describe the vast dust storms that swept across the region, causing immense damage to the environment and agriculture.

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3.

In 1933 the Twenty-first Amendment brought an end to

A.

Prohibition
B.

The Depression
C.

Stock speculation
D.

The United States Communist Party

Correct Answer
A. Prohibition

Explanation
The correct answer is Prohibition. The Twenty-first Amendment, ratified in 1933, repealed the Eighteenth Amendment and effectively ended the era of Prohibition in the United States. Prohibition was a nationwide ban on the production, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages, which was implemented through the Eighteenth Amendment in 1920. The Twenty-first Amendment was a response to the widespread dissatisfaction and failure of Prohibition, and it allowed for the legal sale and consumption of alcohol once again.

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4.

The 1932 presidential election served as a turning point in the way Americans viewed (what is most correct about the time)

A.

Presidential elections
B.

The Bill of Rights
C.

The responsibilities of the federal government
D.

Local relief programs and private charities

Correct Answer
C. The responsibilities of the federal government

Explanation
The 1932 presidential election served as a turning point in the way Americans viewed the responsibilities of the federal government. This election was held during the Great Depression, and Franklin D. Roosevelt, who won the election, promised to take a more active role in addressing the economic crisis. His New Deal policies aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform, which required a larger role for the federal government in areas such as social welfare, regulation of the economy, and job creation. This shift in perspective marked a departure from the traditional limited role of the federal government and set the stage for increased government intervention in future years.

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5.

Which group faced hard times during much of the 1920s?

A.

Urban bankers
B.

Farmers
C.

Small investors
D.

Owners of large corporations

Correct Answer
B. Farmers

Explanation
During much of the 1920s, farmers faced hard times due to several reasons. Firstly, overproduction led to a decline in agricultural prices, causing farmers to struggle financially. Additionally, many farmers were heavily in debt due to high interest rates and loans taken to invest in new machinery and technology. Furthermore, the Great Depression in the late 1920s worsened the economic conditions for farmers, leading to foreclosures and bankruptcies. Overall, the combination of low prices, debt, and economic downturn made the 1920s a difficult period for farmers.

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6.

Which was one effect of the wage cuts and unemployment of the 1930s?

A.

The divorce rate nearly tripled
B.

Banks pardoned thousands of farm mortgages
C.

Hoovervilees sprang up in the nation's cities
D.

Most industries gave top jobs to married women

Correct Answer
C. Hoovervilees sprang up in the nation's cities

Explanation
During the 1930s, the Great Depression led to widespread unemployment and wage cuts. As a result, many people became homeless and started living in makeshift shantytowns known as "Hoovervilles." These communities were named after President Herbert Hoover, who was blamed for the economic crisis. The answer choice "Hoovervilles sprang up in the nation's cities" accurately reflects this effect of the wage cuts and unemployment during the 1930s.

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7.

During the Depression, many African Americans

A.

Took low-paying jobs previously held by white workers
B.

Experienced worsening conditions and discrimination in job and relief programs.
C.

Returned from northern cities to the South
D.

Won new civil rights, such as access to education and health care

Correct Answer
B. Experienced worsening conditions and discrimination in job and relief programs.

Explanation
During the Depression, African Americans faced worsening conditions and discrimination in job and relief programs. As the economy declined, many white workers lost their jobs and African Americans were hired to fill those positions, but at lower wages. Additionally, African Americans faced discrimination in access to relief programs, which further exacerbated their already difficult circumstances. This discrimination and worsening conditions highlight the challenges and inequality faced by African Americans during this time.

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