The Great DepressionAn Introduction

What Do We Know… During WWII Banks ran out of money Less jobs People moved westward 1930s

What Questions Do We Have?

What happened during that time? How did it start? How did it end? How people stayed alive? When did it happen? How long? Did people die? WHY did it happen? What caused the GD?

More Questions…

Let’s Answer Some Questions…

When?• The 1929-1939 (Start of WWII)

Where?• The United States

Who?• EVERYONE.

Cause?• The Stock Market Crash of 1929

The Roaring 2o’s During the 1920’s people were spending money,

buying excessively and investing aggressively. People were also BORROWING a lot of money. Stock Market Crash- October 1929

Images of The Great Depression

Effects on the People… Farmers were already feeling the effects

before The Crash• Prices of crops went down• Many farms foreclosed

People could not afford luxuries• Factories shut down• Businesses went out

Banks could not pay out money People could not pay their taxes

• Schools shut down due to lack of funds Many families became homeless and had

to live in shanties

President Herbert Hoover Herbert Hoover was president at the start of the

Great Depression His philosophy: “We’ll make it!” What He Did to Help: Nothing The poor were looking for help, and H.H. had no

ideas about how to correct or help.

Hoovervilles Some families were forced to live in shanty towns A grouping of shacks and tents in vacant lots They were referred to as “Hooverville” because of

President Hoover’s lack of help during the depression.

F.D.R.: A Glimmer of Hope When he was inaugurated in 1933

unemployment had increased by 7 million. Poor sections (like Harlem) had 50% of the

pop. unemployed Instated the “New Deal” People everywhere were effected by the

depression Roosevelt took action and put policies into

place that gave people hope that things would get better… and they did.

WWII… you tell me!

Your Assignment…

½ page- full page: Due TOMORROW! Imagine what it was like living in America in

the 1930’s. Write a diary entry from the perspective of a

teenager discussing:• Where you are living…• Family Hardships

Food, money, work, etc. Hopes and dreams for the future, or are you hopeless

right now? What you are doing to help your family survive? Your day to day life.