Unit 8 APUSH Terms with Significance – Flashcards

Officially known as the Bonus Expeditionary Force (BEF), this rag-tag group of 20,000 veterans marched on Washington demanding immediate payment of bonuses earned during Word War I originally promised to be paid to them by 1945. However, when the economy crashed in 1932 and veterans became unemployed, they wanted their bonuses immediately. General MacArthur dispersed them with tear gas and bayonets. SIGNIFICANCE: the Bonus Army incident underlines the hysteria and panic the Great Depression brought upon the American people, and the determination of the government to stay in control. This bloodshed from this incident turned public opinion further against Herbert Hoover and ultimately was a factor in forcing him out of office.

A government lending agency under the Hoover administration in order to assist insurance companies, banks, agricultural organizations, railroads and local governments. It was a precursor to later agencies that grew out of the New Deal. SIGNIFICANCE: Symbolized a recognition by the republicans that some federal action was required to address the Great Depression.

This act declared that the members of labor unions should have "full freedom of association" undisturbed by employers. The act also barred the federal courts from issuing injunctions to prevent strikes, picketing, or boycotts by labor groups and prohibited "yellow-dog" (anti-union work) contracts. SIGNIFICANCE: This act was a precursor to the more radical Wagner Act, but had a similar effect in empowering workers and followed public opinion against oppressive employers and judges seeking to limit or prohibit union activity.

A power-hungry demagogue governor of Louisiana and US senator who instituted many New-Deal type programs in Louisiana. He called for a true redistribution of wealth in his "share the wealth"program, which would have allowed no Americans to make over a million dollars a year (The rest would be taken in taxes). Also proposed that from these taxes to immediately give every American family $5,000 and an annual income of $2,000. Eventually assassinated in 1935. SIGNIFICANCE: Through his folksy manner and sympathy for the underprivileged, Long diverted attention from his ruthless autocratic methods. Since America is a democracy, his methods went against the values of the country he stood as an official for.

A Roman Catholic "radio priest" who gained a deeply loyal following of millions. Originally a supporter of Roosevelt, Coughlin eventually turned on him and told his listeners that Roosevelt was a "liar" and "betrayer". By the late 1930's this man praised Mussolini and Hitler and made increasing anti-Semitic and anti-New Deal statements. He wrote three books: Christ or the Red Serpent (1930), By the Sweat of Thy Brow (1931), and The New Deal in Money (1933). Eventually pulled off air by a request made by the Catholic Church. SIGNIFICANCE: instead of a New Deal Democrat, Father Coughlin was a demagogue in the time of the New Deal and preyed upon the insecurity of the time which is likely the only reason he got support. Similarly to Huey Long with his sympathy for the poor, since Father Coughlin is a priest, people overlooked his xenophobia and stood behind him.

A California native that proposed an Old Age Revolving Pension Plan. Under this plan a national sales tax would pay for a pension of $200 a month for all retired Americans. Townsend stated that the benefits of this act would be that more and more money would be put into circulation. SIGNIFICANCE: the Townshed Plan inspired the Roosevelt administration to adopt a similar, yet more strict version of the program when the Social Security Program was created.

These riots were a result of the United States' need to fill the jobs vacated by those who were serving in the military in World War II, and an agreement with Mexico was reached that temporary Mexican workers could be brought into the US. Many were racially insulted by American soldiers living among the Mexican-American population, and Mexican-Americans were called "zoot-suiters". Riots broke out after racial tension peaked and unrest occurred when considerably more Mexican Americans than servicemen were arrested, causing the Los Angeles Mayor at the time feel the need to state that racial prejudice was not a factor and that the riots were caused by juvenile delinquents. SIGNIFICANCE: these riots and the racial tensions resulting from them are an example of the negative feelings and racism that exist at this time due to the influx of immigration and the want of some white Americans to turn back time to when America was all white, even though whites still reign supreme despite the staggering number of immigrants.

Program established by agreements with the Mexican Government to recruit temporary Mexican Agricultural workers to the United States to make up for wartime labor shortage in the Far West. The program persisted until 1964, by when it has sponsored 4.5 million border crossings. SIGNIFICANCE: the Zoot-Suit riots stemmed from this movement/program, as the rapid influx of Mexican workers created racial tensions among white and Mexican youths.