I. Life During the Great Depression Objective 9.02

A. Effect on the American Population People lose everything – about 25% are unemployed. People relied on “breadlines” and “soup kitchens” to get food. Had very long lines.

B. Hoovervilles Lots of people lost their homes during the Great Depression. Homeless people created “Hoovervilles”- communities of homemade shacks. Why do you think they named it this? People wanted direct relief to help people get back on their feet.

C. Dust Bowl Midwestern farmers treated land poorly. Heavy drought turned loose soil into dust and is then carried away by huge dust storms. Result: Massive destruction; large numbers of people moved farther West (California.)

D. Bonus Army March Video – answer these questions from the video: Describe the condition of the United States and its economy in 1932? What was the “bonus army” and what did it hope to achieve? What was the outcome of the “bonus army’s” protest and request? How did it come to symbolize President Hoover?

Guided Practice OR Make a list of the economic problems during the Great Depression, the groups of people affected and a short summary of its impact. You can use a chart like this: Economic Problem Groups of People Affected Impact of the Problem

Independent Practice Watch the video and listen to the song “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime.” Write a 3-4 sentence summary about the conditions that the singer is describing. Write your own verse: add another stanza to the song about additional hard times that aren’t mentioned in the song. Your stanza should be 4-6 lines.

Exit Ticket 1) In the 1930s, what was an effect of the Dust Bowl in the Great Plains? a. Many small farmers were forced to leave the region and migrate west b. Prices for agricultural products rose rapidly due to shortages in supply c. Large plantation owners lost most of their money and were forced to sell d. Cattle ranching made a comeback and farmers were driven off their land

Exit Ticket “By allowing people to pay for expensive products a little at a time, rather than all at once, people who otherwise could not afford these products now find themselves able to buy them. This, in turn, creates more consumers, helps businesses, and pumps more money into the economy.” 2) Which of the following best describes the above statement? a. The effect of easy credit and how it led to the “Black Tuesday” stock market crash of 1929 b. The effect of the installment plan and how it contributed to economic growth in the ‘20s c. The effect of mail order catalogs and how they led to the production of more goods d. The effect of easy credit and the installment plan and how they encouraged people to buy stocks.

Exit Ticket 3) Analyze the impact the Great Depression had on two groups of people. Your answer should 1) include what happened to them to these group of people and 2) how they responded.