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The United States in 1940. Mr. White’s US History 1. The Great Depression. 1930s dominated by the Great Depression 1929 – Stock Market crashes 25% of population unemployed Banks and businesses close. Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal. President in 1930s is Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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The United States in 1940 Mr. White’s US History 1
The Great Depression • 1930s dominated by the Great Depression • 1929 – Stock Market crashes • 25% of population unemployed • Banks and businesses close
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal • President in 1930s is Franklin Delano Roosevelt • Sets up New Deal programs to end Depression • Government creates jobs and social services to help people and stimulate the economy • Country slowly starts to pull out of Depression
Population of Country: 123 million Life expectancy: Male, 58.1, Female, 61.6 Average salary: $1,368 Car sales: 2,787,400 Prices: Milk, 14 cents; bread, 9 cents; steak, 42 cents a pound Country is still predominantly rural Demographics
Art • Art reflected the Great Depression with its themes and depictions • “American Gothic”, by Grant Wood • How might this painting reflect the Great Depression?
Architecture • Many of the nation’s most memorable skyscrapers were built • Empire State Building (at left) • Chrysler Building • Rockefeller Center
Education • Money in short supply; many parents couldn’t get school supplies for students • Some schools started charging tuition • Many children didn’t get the education they needed
Women’s fashion in the 1920s • 1920s fashion had reduced the appearance of the female form • Hair was cut into short “bob” styles; used finger waves and Marcel waves • Women almost had the appearance of looking like young boys
Women’s fashion in the 1930s • 1930s and early 1940s women’s fashion brought back female form • Gretta Garbo (left) was imitated around the world
Men’s fashion in the late 1930s • Fitted single- or double-breasted jacket • Pants were straight, wide, and high-waisted • Colors were grays, light browns, light blue • Hats were a must, but were removed indoors! • Today’s business wear has its beginnings here
Music of the Late 1930s and Early 1940s • “Big Band” sound dominated the popular music scene for young people • Glenn Miller, Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington • Most music for dancing; jitterbug, Lindy hop – “swing dancing”
Cars of the 1930s • 1930s considered the age of “classic” cars • Fully-closed bodies start to become standard; previously cars had been open to the air • Ford introduces the flathead V-8 engine, which is a big step forward for engines
Science and Technology • NY “World’s Fair” showcased new science and technology such as cross-country highways and the new invention, television • Scientific research was cut short for lack of money because of Depression • Albert Einstein came to United States in 1933 and started helping develop the atomic bomb • Pluto discovered and become a planet in 1930 (but it isn’t anymore :-(
Trouble in Europe • By 1939, Europe is entering a second world war • US citizens want to stay neutral, prefer isolationism • Many Americans saw this as Europe’s problem and didn’t want to get pulled in
Trouble in the Pacific • Empire of Japan rapidly taking over islands in Pacific • Also invading China and other Asian countries • Still, US wasn’t worried; had relatively good relations with Japan
No Worries In Sight • Most in US not worried about war in Europe or the Pacific • US largely unprepared for war • General feeling of safety in United States