1. Surviving the great depression

2. Distrust Survivors would never forget Pinch pennies
Never buy on credit
Hid money under the mattresses

3. Americans Pull Together
People worked together to survive
Distrust business & government
Trust each other
Farmers
Penny Auctions – farmers would bid pennies on land and machines auctioned by the banks in order to help their struggling neighbors
Some states outlawed forclosures

4. Young People Ride the Rails
Left for better life
Living illegally out of freight trains
Fastest way to run away
Vulnerable
Arrest
Injury
Shot by angry farmers

5. Political Solutions Americans did not become violent
Increased support for Communists and Socialists
Saw individuals working together
Held hope for democratic process

6. Review
How did Americans rely on each other during the Great Depression?
What was life like when “Riding the Rails”?
What were political solutions that were sought out during the Great Depression?

7. Depression Humor Jokes helped “Hooverville” started as jokes
Empty pockets – “Hoover flags”
“When Wall Street took that tail spin, you had to stand in line to get a window to jump out of”
Will Rogers

8. Signs of Change WWII Prohibition repealed
February 1933 (15 years after amendment passed)
21st Amendment
8 states continued ban on liquor
Failed social experiment
End gangsters’ control

9. The Empire State Building
Construction began 1930
John J. Raskob – race to build world’s tallest building
Cost $41 million
Cheap
2,500 to 4,000 jobs a day
102 stories, 1,250 feet tall, topped with mooring mast for blimps
Officially opened May 1, 1931

10. End of an Era Symbols of 1920s falling 1931 Al Capone convicted
Frugal former President Calvin Coolidge died January
Babe Ruth retired 1935
Henry Ford now despised

11. Closure
How did Americans distrust banks and the economy after the Depression?
Where did Americans turn after political solutions and big business were unable to help them?
How was the Empire State Building a sign of hope during this era of depression?