Political and Economic Developments in the 1930s

Southern Democrats opposed legislative measures put forward by Roosevelt, fueled by his campaign against five Senators from his own party in 1938, which increased public suspicions of his motives.

A gradual improvement in the economy in 1937 convinced Roosevelt to cut back on reform measures, leading to 1.5 million Works Progress Administration workers being let go in the first eight months of the year.

A sharp recession from September 1937 to summer 1938 threw four million workers out of employment, partly due to Roosevelt's halting response to the recession.

The New Deal fundamentally transformed America by creating institutional programs like Social Security, increasing federal government functions, and making the Presidency a powerful force for reform.

The Washington Naval Conference (1921-1922) aimed to limit Japanese naval power in the Pacific and reduce dependence on American money markets, resulting in treaties like the Five Power Treaty and Nine Power Treaty.

The Kellogg-Briand Pact (1928) was signed to peacefully settle disputes but was largely symbolic and ineffective.

The Dawes Plan (1924) reduced German reparations and provided financial assistance from American banks, helping Germany recover economically.

The League of Nations proved incapable of maintaining international order in the 1930s, as Japan invaded Manchuria, Germany withdrew and rearmed, and Italy invaded Abyssinia.

League voted to impose sanctions but did not include any military essentials such as oil.

Italy withdrew from the League in 1937.