1. United States in the 1930’s and up to world War II
The great Depression
United States in the 1930’s and up to world War II

2. 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 too many loans and no insurance in banking system
No unemployment insurance or public relief

3. 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

4. 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”

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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 with support of farmers, industrial workers, immigrants, and African Americans

10. 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

11. 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.

12. Dust Bowl Movie: Grapes of Wrath Personal testimonies
Made shortly after Dust Storm
Personal testimonies

13. 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”

14. Helpful timeline 1929- Stock Market Crash
1932-Reconstruction Finance Corp
Bonus Ary/ FDR Pres
million unemployed
“Hundred Days”- New Deal
1935- Second New Deal
Social security
Dust Storm
1936- Roosevelt wins again
1937 – “Roosevelt Recession” begins
Fair Labor Standards Act establishes first federal minimum wage

15. 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

16. 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