Critical Thinking 15.2

1. Critical Thinking 15.2 • 1. What impact did Frances Perkins’ appointment to the cabinet have on the lives of American women? FDR appointed 2 female diplomats & a federal Judge, more women joined the work force, but discrimination towards women in the work place continued • 2. How were women treated in the workplace? Lower wages and fewer job oppurtunities • 3. Who was Mary McLeod Bethune? Educator devoted to promoting opportunities for Black youth, appointed to head Division of Negro Affairs in the NYA and ensured that Black administrators were hired and Black youth received job training • 4. How did Eleanor Roosevelt influence racial politics during the Roosevelt administration? Opened the doors for Blacks in gov’t, had marian Anderson perform at the Lincoln Memorial • 5. Why didn’t Roosevelt support full civil rights for African Americans? Afraid of upsetting white Dems in the south. • 6. Why did Mexican Americans support the New Deal? They were given jobs by the CCC and WPA • 7. How did New Deal policies affect Native Americans? Gov’t policy moved away from assimilation and towards autonomy, Native American land belonged to entire tribe, children could attend schools on reservations, tribes could elect their own leaders on reservations • 8. Identify the Key components of the New Deal coalition? Southern whites, various urban groups, Blacks, and unions • 9. Why were urban voters likely to support FDR? New Deal labor laws & work-relief programs, appointed officials with urban-immigrant backgrounds • 10. Why were movies popular during the Depression? Gave ppl a chance to escape the hardships of life, watch movies and characters that related to them • 11. What role did the radio play in American homes during the Depression? Families would gather together to listen to radio programs, like TV today • 12. What was the Federal Art Project? Paid artist to create public art, increase public appreciation of art, and promote positive images of American society • 13. Identify successful American writers of the Depression-era. Richard Wright: “Native Son”, Zora Neale Hurtson “Their Eyes Were Watching God”, John Steinbeck, “The Grapes of Wrath”…..

2. New Deal Affects Many Groups • In groups of 3 gather info from notes/book for the following groups: • Women • Examples of appointees to important gov’t positions • Gains women made under the New Deal • Problems of women not solved by New Deal • African Americans • Examples of appointees to important gov’t positions • Gains Blacks made under the New Deal • Problems of Blacks not solved by New Deal • Labor Unions • Examples of unions organized during New Deal • Gains unions made under the New Deal • Problems of unions not solved by New Deal

3. 2nd Phase of the New Deal • Women • Frances Perkins • Women appointed to important gov’t positions, slight increase in number of women working outside of home • Discrimination in the workplace, wages, hiring • African Americans • Mary McLeod Bethune; William H Hastie; Robert C. Weaver • Increased political voice through greater access to president; organizations created for tenant farmers • Segregation; racial violence; racism; discrimination in all areas of life; poll tax • Labor Unions • Congress of Industrial Organization • Better working conditions; increased bargining power; dramatic increase in union membership • Strike violence; big business opposition to labor unions