-
Hoover Signs Smoot-Hawley Tariff
Proposed by Senators Reed Smoot and Willis C. Hawley, the Tarff Act of 1930 raised tariff levels to an all-time high. The original purpose of the massive tariff was to protect domestic farmers against the increased production of foreign imports. One of the fundamental campaign promises of Herbert Hoover's administration, the tariff contributed to further economic downturn. -
Empire State Building Completed
Constructed and opened within a period of only twenty months, the Empire State Building, standing at 1250 feet, was completed of March 1st, and officially opened on May 1st, 1931. With a total building employment of 3,500 on-site workers, contruction work on the building meant steady pay during the height of economic depression. -
Coal Miner Strike
Coal miners were angry with their poor working conditions and wages. The riot became rough and the police were called. The police fired several times and sprayed the miners with a firetruck. On October 6, the mine owners finally agreed to implement an eight-hour day and a minimum wage of $4 a day. They started an illegal strike that resulted in 3 deaths, 23 injuries, and 14 arrests. -
The Bank Crisis
After all the fear and hardship caused by the Great Depression, many people were worried of the safety of their money in banks. Anxious citizens withdrew their deposits from banks and hoarded cash and gold. More than 9,000 banks had failed by March of 1933. -
Frankln D. Roosevelt Takes Office
Roosevelt InaguratedWith little structured plan regarding the end of the economic depression, Franklin Delano Roosevelt entered office on March 4th, 1933. Promising the "three R's" (relief, recovery and reform) in his presidential acceptance speech, Roosevelt's initial intentions upon beginning his term included The New Deal, promising plans for economic recovery. -
Roosevelt proclaims a Bank Holiday
President Roosevelt declares a halt on banking and transactions until March 13th. As a result, Roosevelt's bank holiday stopped major runs on the banks temporarily, allowing banks time to restore cash flow and settlement of debts. Under the Emergency Banking Act, one of the many legislative acts passed during Roosevelt's first 100 days in office, would examine the soundness of banks following their closure. -
Agricultural Adjustment Act and Federal Emergency Relief Act
Two restorative parts of Roosevelt's New Deal, implemented on May 12th, 1933. With hopes of increasing crop value, AAA granted farmers federal subsidies for restricting agricultural production. In the following Supreme Court case United States v. Butler, the processing taxes under the AAA were deemed unconstitutional. FERA, which authorized state relief project funding, also led to the establishment of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. -
The First Storm in the Dust Bowl
It became extremely dry during the 1930s. Clouds of dust would often form and these storm clouds collected dirt from fields. The clouds carried the dust and dirt mix for hundreds of miles. It was dryest in the southern states of Oklahoma and Texas which gave them the name "the Dust Bowl" because many dust storms started there. -
Passage of 21st Amendment: Prohibition Repealed
The twenty first amendment, which repealed the national prohibition of alcohol under the eighteenth amendment, was ratified on December 5th, 1933. In proposing states' consent to end of prohibition, Congress repealed an amendment for the first time. -
Securities Exchange Act
This Act was a law that governed the secondary trading of stocks and bonds. Its focus was to regulate the financial markets of the US. The Act allowed citizens to sell stocks and bonds amongst other citizens, contrary to the previous condition of only being able to trade with the issuer. This Act brought upon a boom in stock trading and allowed stock brokers and dealers to flourish -
Social Security Enacted
On August 15th, 1935, President Roosevelt signed for the passing of Social security as a means of benefitting workers and citizens through aid and insurance. This series of implementation, including old-age and handicapped individual benefits, were created with the intention of ensuring retirement for the elderly, while also providing for the general welfare. -
Neutrality Acts (1935-39)
Four Neutrality Acts were passed in the late 1930s by the US Congress in reaction to the growing chaos in Europe that was leading towards WWII. They were created based on the belief of isolationalism in order to prevent the US from becoming caught up in costly foreign dilemmas. The Acts were repealed in 1941 after Japan's Pearl Harbor attack. -
Hoover Dam Completed
The Hoover Dam was constructed from 1931 and 1936 during the Great Depression. It was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt. The construction a huge system involving thousands of workers. In fact, more than one hundred workers died during the construction. The Dam is now mainly a tourist attraction, yet it also provides power to Nevada, Arizona and California. -
The Flint GM Sit-Down Strike
The Sit-Down strike was first implemented by union workers who snuck into the most valuable parts factory of Genarl Motors and held it down for a month until Febuary 11th when an agreement was made. This stike was very popular and recieved an amazing amount of support and attention from union workers. Many riots and strikes followed the strike and influenced the auto workers of today, helping the economy in the process. -
Roosevelt's Second Inaugural
Roosevelt begins his second term after he is reelected in 1937. Roosevelt countinued to present legislation to Congress that increased government spending, but his proposed legislation was often rejected. The New Deal lost much of its momentum during his second term. Roosevelt's attention was largely distracted by foreign affairs in Europe involving WWII. -
"The Grapes of Wrath" was published
The Grapes of Wrath was a novel published by John Stienbeck to depict the hardships of poor Okahoma sharecroppers in the dust bowl during the depression. The novel demonstrated the tough lives of people during the Great Depression. The novel received much critism for over exagurating the issues of the people.
