CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Unequal distribution of wealth Overproduction Extensive stock market speculation (Bull
Market) Calvin Coolidge's administration
(1920’s)favored business. The rich got richer and the poor got poorer Agricultural problems- exports on decline 9000 banks fail in 1930- too many loans and no
insurance in banking system No unemployment insurance or public relief
GREAT DEPRESSION IN URBAN AND RURAL AMERICA
Urban Areas Industrial cities
major factory shutdowns
Increase in unemployment/ evictions
No relief funds available
Rural Areas Disaster in South-
cotton and tobacco prices fall
African American farmers suffer greatly
Dust Bowl creates huge droughts
SONGS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION
Radio and entertainment expanded during depression
Soap operas increased
Radio news arrived in 1930’s
Key factor in politics
Songs about depression, government fallouts, and labor disputes filled the airwaves. Example: Peter Seeger
“Bacon, Beans, and Gravy” Woody Guthrie
“This Land is Your Land”
CLASS DISCUSSION
Listen to the songs Follow along with
the words Let’s Discuss Think/ Pair/ Share
What do you think the singer is talking about?
Remember elements of Folk tales
HOOVER VS. ROOSEVELT
Election of 1932 Hoover vs. Roosevelt Hoover (Republican) conservative, nothing he did seemed to help
the country-wanted to restore business confidence couldn’t find a successful way to do so. High unemployment rate but Hoover refuses to give direct relief – Growing unrest during end of presidency
Roosevelt (Democrat) Liberal – from wealthy family, wanted to employ as many people as possible for the government, build up the economy. Came from a rich family, educated and became governor of New York in
1928
ROOSEVELT’S NEW DEAL
Elected for four terms the most of any president
Alphabet agencies – New Deal
Passed Emergency Banking Act
Significant shift in political and domestic policy in the U.S
Lasting changes = increased gov’t control on economy and money supply
Relief, Recovery, Reform
AGENCIES OF THE NEW DEAL (1933)
In Roosevelt's first Hundred Days many acts were introduced which were to form the basis of the New Deal.
Examples Include: Emergency
Banking Act 1933 National Industrial
Recovery Act '33 Agricultural
Adjustment Act 1933
Tennessee Valley Development Act '33
FDR’S SECOND NEW DEAL (1935-1938) Huey Long demand
redistribution- push FDR to the Left
WPA- Big public works program – creates thousands of jobs
Wagner Act- Guarantees labor unions right to organize and bargain
Social Security – huge development, part of our current political discussions
FDR reelected in 1936- with support of farmers, industrial workers, immigrants, and African Americans
DEAR MRS ROOSEVELT
Eleanor Roosevelt- Wife of President big component during the 1930’s
Worked with women and children for better rights and treatment
Worked with National Youth Association
Children wrote her daily for clothes , food, and money
FINAL THOUGHTS
If Eleanor Roosevelt was still around today…
Write her a letter with your present day concerns about our government, economy, education, etc.
One paragraph in length
Please be appropriate
These will be collected.
DUST BOWL
Personal testimoniesMovie: Grapes of Wrath
Made shortly after Dust Storm
DUST BOWL AND WESTERN FAMINE
Ecological and economic disaster in southern Great Plains in early 30’s.
Dust blew away rich topsoil
Hardest regions hit = Kansas, Colorado, Western Oklahoma, Texas, and Easter New Mexico
Okies, people who migrated from Middle Western States and into California – seen as “White Trash”
HELPFUL TIMELINE
1929- Stock Market Crash
1932-Reconstruction Finance Corp
Bonus Ary/ FDR Pres 1933- 13 million
unemployed “Hundred Days”- New
Deal 1935- Second New Deal
Social security Dust Storm
1936- Roosevelt wins again
1937 – “Roosevelt Recession” begins
1938- Fair Labor Standards Act establishes first federal minimum wage
TEACHER OPTIONS:PROJECT OPTIONS (Option 1) New Deal
Jeporardy Game Create a board game that
utilizes the programs and agencies of the New Deal or anything about FDR- biography and life as President
Be Creative
(Option 2) Newspaper Create a newspaper that
covers the Stock Market crash and interviews several people from the city who are suffering, or not from the crash
Several articles should be included
Pictures and advertisements should also be included(Option 3) Dust Bowl Board
Game• Create a board game that shows the hardship, travels, and effects of the Dust Bowl•Be Creative•Include illustrations/ color on game
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