MR. WILLIAMSONSOMERVILLE HS

Roaring 20’s, The Great Depression and the New Deal

Post-War Adjustment

American’s yearn for “normalcy” after WWI Wanted a return to free market, capitalism, reduction in federal spending, isolationism in foreign affairs

Economy recovers – business expands, taxes lowered, government spending is lower Due to mass production/Innovation – Henry Ford cars, airplanes, plastic products, restaurants/hotels, new affordable goods flood the market

The Roaring Twenties

Because of strong economy, US now a “consumer culture” New products make life easier (washing machines, refrigerators, etc.)

Advertising becomes popular – radio mostly, billboards, etc.

Buying on credit Arrangement for buying something with borrowed $ then paying the loan back

Stock market in the 1920s – enjoyed a bull market, more and more Americans begin to invest their $ into stocks

The Roaring Twenties

New Trends in Pop-Culture – Citizens now have “Leisure Time” Average Workweek – 45 hours compared with 70 in 1850, from working 7 days a week to 5 days

Question: What do people do when they have free time?

1920s Pop Culture Heroes – Babe Ruth (sports), Amelia Earhart, Henry Ford (business)

New Media – Radio, magazines, movies The Arts– Music in the Jazz Age, night clubs, artists/writers

The Roaring Twenties

Discussion Questions1. Think of someone TODAY that would be extremely popular like the people above. It can be anybody in entertainment, music, sports or business. Why is that individual popular and respected like the ones discussed above?

2. The Charleston was a very popular dance performed by the youth of the 1920s. What dance or dances of your lifetime are considered to be popular? Why do you think they caught on with the public?

What advancements/inventions TODAY (name 3) do you believe are most important to the average person?

Pop Culture of the 1920s

In today’s activity, you will be comparing the pop culture of the 1920s to today.

At each station, read the information as a group, look at the pictures and information provided. Each station has specific questions to answer; please answer in full sentences as this will be used for the 2nd half of today’s challenge.

Pop Culture of the 1920s

Now that you have read through information on the pop culture of the 1920s today and answered questions about today’s culture, let’s compare and contrast the two eras. Use your answers from the station exercise to help with your assignment

You have two choices:1. Essay Assignment – 3 paragraphs, comparing/contrasting the two eras

2. Venn Diagram – Name/List 10 items for each category that are specific to pop culture of the 1920s/today as well as what they have in common

1920s Bio Sketch Rules

Rules for the Computer Room – Please follow! If not, there will be consequences. No Food or drink at anytime!

No Social Media Websites – Facebook, Twitter, etc.

No music/Youtube is to be played; cell phones, iPods are to be put away.

No downloads of any kind…Thank You!

Do not switch computers randomly, please notify Mr. Williamson if you have a problem with your machine

If you are in violation with any of the above, your computer privileges will be revoked and you will be required to research information on the project on your own.

Causes of the Great Depression

Election of 1928 – Republican Herbert Hoover elected president amid economic/social optimism

However, troubling signs were beginning to show Agriculture – after WWI, farmers’ crops no longer needed, faced debt/bankruptcy

Uneven Wealth – Worker output increased but wages did not grow as quickly; industrial workers became “less poor”

Expansion of credit – accumulation of debt from cars/radios begin to increase

Causes of the Great Depression

As stock market rises in the 1920s, people began to buy on margin to increase their profit Borrowing large amounts of $ to buy stock However, when share price drops, creditors demand the $ they are owed

As a result, homes, cars, or any asset is sold to repay debt

Black Tuesday, October 1929 – huge drop in the stock market, the start of the GREAT DEPRESSION Investors are scared, sell their investments pushing prices down. Investors lose ~$30 billion in 1 day

Causes of the Great Depression

Banking Crisis – as stock market crashed, there was concern that banks, holding $$ of individuals, would close because of bad loans to stockbrokers and farmers

People with bank accounts rushed to withdraw their $

BANK RUN – when customers simultaneously withdraw their $ out of a fear the bank will close

DO NOT COPY - 1933, 1/5 of banks operating in 1930 were closed

Millions of people see their savings vanish

Causes of the Great Depression

Review Quiz – Complete on index card provided

1. What was the primary reason farmers fell on hard times in the 1920s?

2. What consumer goods were purchased using easy credit in the 1920s?

3. What was the motivation for individuals to buy stock on margin?

4. What event sparked a chain of events that led to the beginning of the Great Depression?

5. What is a bank run and why did they occur after Black Tuesday?

Causes of the Great Depression

Hawley-Smoot Tariff Tax that raised prices on foreign imports/exports With excess inventory (food, goods, etc.), businesses could not sell overseas

Crisis in US reaches a global scale, everyone is affected

With stock crash/bank failures, consumer spending plunges As a result, US businesses cut production, layoff workers

With high unemployment, consumer spending continues to fall

Unemployment rate rises to 25% from a low of 3%

Human Impact of the Great Depression

Severe poverty in both cities/farms

Although unemployment was high, some jobs remained but hours/wages were cut significantly

Impact – Smaller meals, water instead of milk, potatoes instead of meat

Translates into pop-culture, news & music “Brother Can You Spare a Dime?”

Newspaper Article Challenge

Your ChallengeImagine you are a business reporter for the NY Times in the early 1930s. Your editor has asked you to write a 2-paragraph informational article on the causes of the Great Depression.

You Must: Create a HEADLINE which will grab my attention Complete a 2-paragraph article discussing the reasons for the depression

Detail WHY the issues covered led to a bad economy in YOUR OWN WORDS

See rubric for grading scale, HW grade, good luck!

Wall Walk Directions

Label the station you are located at. You do not have to write the question.

Discuss the primary source in your small group.

Complete all questions in full and complete sentences.

Add details where necessary

6 minutes at each station, do not waste time!

Responding to the Great Depression

Government/Politicians had differing ideas of how to “cure” the depression

Conservative approach – Republican Leave it alone and it will improve, “laissez fair

e” or hands off

Liberal Approach – Democratic Increased spending on public works to create jobs (roads, bridges)

Tax corporations/wealthy to provide social welfare (government assistance) for citizens in need

Responding to the Great Depression

Herbert Hoover, Republican (conservative) President believed the federal government should not give aid to the needy Felt his job was to let the economy “fix” itself

Had faith in “localism”, idea that problems are solved best at the local and state gov’t level

Favored “rugged individualism” so people could better themselves through their own efforts

Responding to the Great Depression

However, Depression continued to worsen, became clear no policy was not the answer

Wanted to put $ in hands of banks/businesses through the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (RFC)Believed in “trickle-down economics” where they would use gov’t aid to increase production/employmentHowever, bankers and businesses do not increase lending/employmentPublic views Hoover as “out of touch” and unwilling to help them in time of need

Wall Walk Directions

Label the station you are located at. You do not have to write the question.

Discuss the primary source in your small group.

Complete all questions in full and complete sentences.

Add details where necessary

6 minutes at each station, do not waste time!

Human Impact of the Great Depression

Urban vs. Rural Reality of the Great Depression

With no job, savings gone, citizens sell any “asset” to keep the rent-mortgage paid/pantry full Asset – useful/valuable property, can be used to meet debts

In cities, “Hoovervilles” spring up in public land/vacant lots across the US Tents/Shacks (shoddy housing), Newspapers – “Hoover blankets”, Pant pockets turned inside out – “Hoover Flags”

DO NOT WRITE – WHY DID THEY USE A HOOVER REFERENCE? WHAT’S THE REASONING?

Human Impact of the Great Depression

The Rural Depression ExperienceLow crop prices/high debt forces farmers to sell their land

Drought/Dust Bowl forces families to migrate out, referred to as “Okies”

Sought refuge in CA, OR, WA, where job could be found E.G. – “The Grapes of Wrath”

Significant shift in population from rural to urban states

Urban vs. Rural Impact

Using your teammate, notebook/textbook , complete the Venn Diagram below by comparing/contrasting the impact of the Great Depression on the urban and rural environments.

Focus on the struggles each faced, their challenges, etc. Be SPECIFIC.

The goal is to have 5-6 items in each portion of the diagram

You have 10 minutes, please begin!

Hooverville Diary Project

Compose a 3-day diary as if you were a resident of the “Hooverville” in Central Park.

Each day must be a separate entry (1 paragraph long) with date, location, etc.

Review the rubric provided to aid writing (content, form, quantity) and the total points possible.

Creativity is the goal here! Due – Tuesday, 23rd!