STAAR Practice - Great Depression

Which of the following was a defining characteristic of the U.S. during the 1930's?

• a sharp increase in the power given to state governments

• an extended period of economic depression

• the adoption of an interventionist foreign policy

• the formation of a national Civil Rights movement

Which of these factors contributed most to the Dust Bowl?

• flash flooding and intense deforestation

• prolonged drought and poor farming practices

• high winds and railroad construction

• severe heat and rapid suburban development

What was the main reason the federal government built the Hoover Dam?

• to provide resources for a growing population

• to facilitate the transportation of goods in the region

• to increase tourism in the region

• to prevent the Colorado River from drying up

Which of the following directly contributed to the economic instability of the U.S. in 1929?

• the implementation of a personal income tax

• overspeculation in the stock market

• new regulations on banking

• the elimination of import tariffs

Breadlines were partially the result of -

• growing demand for payment of military pensions

• a sudden increase in agricultural exports

• the passage of the Selective Service Act

• widespread business failures

Smoot-Hawley Tariff

Purpose: to protect U.S. agriculture and industry from foreign competition

Which of the following was the outcome of this tariff?

• led to a decrease in U.S. international trade

• helped stabilize the U.S. economy

• strengthened U.S. relationships overseas

• led to a decline in U.S. unemployment

Causes of the Great Depression

1. Decline in worldwide trade
2. _______________
3. Bank failures

Which of the following best completes the outline?

• increase in consumer spending

• overspeculation in the stock market

• decrease in military spending

• government subsidization of agriculture

Which headline describes the primary issue faced by the federal government at the onset of the Great Depression?

• "Unemployment Rates Reach Record High"

• "Consumer Price Index Skyrockets"

• "Consumer Markets Saturated with Foreign Imports"

• "Banks Face Oversupply of Currency"

Why did the federal government implement Mexican repatriation?

• to fulfill the terms of a global peace treaty

• to protect national security

• to reduce competition for jobs

• to prevent communist influence on labor unions

The creator of this political cartoon was expressing his concerns about -

• the Senate confirmation hearings of Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas

• the U.S. declaration of war on Japan after the bombing of Pearl Harbor

• the expansion of executive power during the Great Depression

• the involvement of U.S. government officials in the Iran-Contra scandal