UNITED STATES IN THE 1930’S AND UP TO WORLD WAR II

The great Depression

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

TEACHING OPTIONS:GRAPES OF WRATH: VIDEO PRESENTATION

Movie made in the 1940’s not long after the Dust Bowl

Describes a families struggles while traveling further west to escape dust bowl

Write down Plot Characters Summary Reflection