AP U.S. History Flashcards: The Great Depression
Written by AP Content Team, Verified for 2026 AP Exams, Last updated: May 2026
Review key ideas with interactive flashcards. This set includes 10 cards to help you master important concepts.
How did the role of the U.S. government change in response to the Great Depression?
Policymakers transformed the U.S. into a limited welfare state, expanding the government's role in the economy and society.
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How did the role of the U.S. government change in response to the Great Depression?
Policymakers transformed the U.S. into a limited welfare state, expanding the government's role in the economy and society.
What is meant by the 'redefining' of modern American liberalism during the 1930s?
It refers to the shift in political ideology where policymakers embraced a more active government role in regulating the economy and providing for citizens' welfare.
What economic forces were leading the U.S. economy before the 1930s?
The U.S. economy was led by large companies as part of its shift to an urban, industrial model.
What problem did a 'stronger financial regulatory system' aim to solve?
It aimed to solve the problem of credit and market instability that caused the Great Depression.
What was the connection between the Great Depression and the creation of a 'limited welfare state'?
The economic crisis of the Great Depression prompted policymakers to create a limited welfare state as a direct response to the widespread hardship.
According to the text, what was a key cause of the Great Depression?
Episodes of credit and market instability were a key cause of the Great Depression.
The Great Depression
A period of significant credit and market instability that led to calls for stronger financial regulation and a transformation of government's role in the economy.
What major economic transition was the United States undergoing leading up to the Great Depression?
The United States was continuing its transition from a rural, agricultural economy to an urban, industrial economy led by large companies.
What was the primary public reaction to the market instability experienced during the Great Depression?
The instability of the Great Depression led to widespread calls for a stronger financial regulatory system.
What were the two major, lasting transformations resulting from the 1930s policy response to the Depression?
The U.S. was transformed into a limited welfare state, and the goals of modern American liberalism were redefined.