In the literature section of your binders, describe the details and feelings associated with the picture.

The Great Depression The Great Depression

Migrant Workers & The Migrant Workers & The

American DreamAmerican Dream An Introduction to An Introduction to

Of Mice and MenOf Mice and Men

GoalsGoals

Acquire knowledge of the Great Acquire knowledge of the Great Depression as background context Depression as background context to to Of Mice and Men.Of Mice and Men.

Analyze how the concept of the Analyze how the concept of the American Dream is impacted during American Dream is impacted during difficult economic periods.difficult economic periods.

Create a plan of survival for a Create a plan of survival for a migrant worker. migrant worker.

““Migrant Mother”Migrant Mother”

Caption:Caption: "Destitute pea pickers in "Destitute pea pickers in California; a 32 year old mother of seven California; a 32 year old mother of seven children. February 1936.“children. February 1936.“

Reactions???Reactions???

**http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/afctshtml/**http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/afctshtml/tsme.htmltsme.html

What do you know about the What do you know about the Great Depression?Great Depression?

Fill in your KWL charts with:Fill in your KWL charts with:– Information you already Information you already knowknow– Information youInformation you want want to learn to learn

– How did you respond? How did you respond?

Farming - What went Farming - What went wrong?wrong?

CAUSES:CAUSES:• Crop prices decreased during recessionCrop prices decreased during recession• Farmers used more machines to cultivate land.Farmers used more machines to cultivate land.• Increased production required more money. Increased production required more money.

EFFECTS:EFFECTS:• Machine maintenance was expensiveMachine maintenance was expensive• Farmers could not afford to pay debts and Farmers could not afford to pay debts and

began to lose land began to lose land • America is faced with a 30% unemployment America is faced with a 30% unemployment

rate rate • Agricultural workers are severely affected Agricultural workers are severely affected

The Dust BowlThe Dust BowlCAUSES:CAUSES: Land became overused due to overproduction. Land became overused due to overproduction. No soil conservation practices left the soil No soil conservation practices left the soil

stripped of nutrients. stripped of nutrients. In 1931, a seven year drought began. In 1931, a seven year drought began. In 1932, severe dust storms began to rip In 1932, severe dust storms began to rip

through the Midwest. through the Midwest.

EFFECTS:EFFECTS: Farmers lost their land and moved to Farmers lost their land and moved to

California. California. Dreams were lost, families were broken and Dreams were lost, families were broken and

survival became a struggle. survival became a struggle.

California . . . California . . .

CAUSES: CAUSES: Warm, moderate climate allowed for Warm, moderate climate allowed for

long growing seasons and diverse long growing seasons and diverse cropscrops

Great need for farm workersGreat need for farm workers Route 66 provided direct access from Route 66 provided direct access from

the Midwest to Central California the Midwest to Central California Hundreds of thousands of families Hundreds of thousands of families

flocked to California in search for jobs flocked to California in search for jobs

                                          

                   

California . . . California . . . EFFECTS:EFFECTS: Many families were uprooted from their Many families were uprooted from their

homes and traveled to California. homes and traveled to California. Most of the families had conservative and Most of the families had conservative and

strong religious values. strong religious values. These families were known as “Okies”. These families were known as “Okies”. California farmers severely discriminated California farmers severely discriminated

against Okies and Mexican laborers. against Okies and Mexican laborers. The competition for jobs became too great The competition for jobs became too great

and laborers were still out of work after and laborers were still out of work after traveling. traveling.

California . . . California . . . EFFECTSEFFECTS:: Competition was great causing low Competition was great causing low

wages. wages. Families could not support themselves Families could not support themselves

therefore causing “ditchbank” camps. therefore causing “ditchbank” camps. These camps consisted of tents lined up These camps consisted of tents lined up

along irrigation ditches promoting along irrigation ditches promoting unsanitary health conditions. unsanitary health conditions.

The ultimate effect is that people The ultimate effect is that people became migrant workers. They became migrant workers. They were transient between farms in were transient between farms in search of work. search of work.

““America and Americans”America and Americans”

What was your definition of the What was your definition of the American Dream? American Dream?

How did Steinbeck define the How did Steinbeck define the concept of the American Dream? concept of the American Dream?

What can change the American What can change the American Dream? Dream?

A Migrant Worker’s Dream A Migrant Worker’s Dream

How do you think the dreams and How do you think the dreams and hopes of migrant workers were hopes of migrant workers were affected by their struggles? affected by their struggles?

Create a survival plan for a migrant Create a survival plan for a migrant worker. Choose one scenario listed worker. Choose one scenario listed and created a detailed plan. You and created a detailed plan. You may work with a partner. may work with a partner.

K-W-L K-W-L

What did you What did you LEARN???? LEARN????