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Stock Market Crash Of 1929 Apush Dbq

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The United States entered one of the most devastating economic periods in its history after the stock market crash of 1929. The massive damage done to the quality of life of the average American during this time, known as the Great Depression, prompted a fundamental change in the attitude of the nation. The most notable change was a shift in public belief about what type of President would best serve the struggling nation. The election of Franklin D. Roosevelt completely reversed the trend of Presidents that pursued policies focused around benefitting businesses and the wealthy. Whereas leaders before him held fast in their support of big businesses, even to the point of ignoring the harm they had brought to the country, Roosevelt focused his …show more content…

A main factor in this was the relative prosperity that the upper class enjoyed during their presidencies; because the rich were doing so well, the government was compelled to help continue their success. This pro-business rhetoric was illustrated in the inaugural address of Warren G. Harding, who promised to reduce government intervention in business (Document E). Harding’s stance was based on the industrial productivity that had been spurred by America’s participation in World War I, as well as his view that big business could pull America out of the postwar slump. Harding’s Vice President and successor Calvin Coolidge continued the federal commitment to businesses and the wealthy, arguing that individuals deserved control over their wealth because it was a product of their work (Document D). He also believed that big business was a …show more content…

In his first inaugural address, the president criticized the failure of the wealthy to save the nation (Document A). His first term was marked by the New Deal, which spurred the faltering economy by creating new jobs and providing much needed financial help to the jobless and the poor. The New Deal also put many people to work on the federal pay roll through the Civil Works Administration and provided assistance to the agricultural sector, which had been in a slump since the 1920’s. By the time Roosevelt was up for re-election in 1936, he had changed American society for the better, and was able to continue for a second term. During this time, he created a second New Deal to implement social justice programs; his main goal was to use the power of the government to solve the issues of the individual (Document B). This goal came to fruition with the passage of measures like the Social Security Act and the Fair Labor Security Act, which ensured a better quality of life for wageworkers and the poor. Roosevelt left a legacy of improvement on the country with his programs, and was one of the most successful reformers the nation had

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