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The American Journey: T he G reat Depression. By Bobby Gagnon and S arah Bibbey. What it was?. The Great Depression was a worldwide business and economic slump that lasted through the 1930’s. These problems came out in the open in 1929 when the nation’s economy crumbled.
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The American Journey: The Great Depression By Bobby Gagnon and Sarah Bibbey
What it was? • The Great Depression was a worldwide business and economic slump that lasted through the 1930’s. • These problems came out in the open in 1929 when the nation’s economy crumbled. • Crash in Stock Market, Bank Failures, Reduction in Purchasing Across the Board, and Drought Conditions were the cause of the Great Depression.
When was it? • It lasted 1929 to 1939. • President Herbert Hoover was elected in 1928, 2 years after the election, the Great Depression started. • When the Great Depression started, Wall Street broke down.
The Years and Unemployment • The economic output dropped 43% in three years. • In 1932, unemployment rate reaches 25%. • In 1927-1929, stock prices rose dramatically.
The Dust Bowl • An environmental disaster through western Kansas, Oklahoma, Northern Texas, Eastern Colorado, and New Mexico. • It hit during the Great Depression in the 1930’s. • It was caused by clearing land, farming and droughts. • After The Dust Bowl, farmers went bankrupt.
Women at Work • Desperation drove a number of women into the workforce. • The women worked harder at home to make ends meet. • Women stopped buying food, clothes and started making it themselves.
Minorities • These minorities included African Americans, Native Americans, and Hispanic Americans. • These groups were already on the lower rungs of the American ladder. • More than half of the minorities had no job and lived at the poverty level.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) built dams to provide cheap electric power to seven southern states; set up schools and health centers. • Social Security Act (SSA) set up system of pensions for the elderly, unemployed, and people with disabilities. • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insured savings account in banks approved by the government.
The Effects of Roosevelt’s New Deal • In early days, FDR counted on big businesses to support his New Deal. • In general, the business world opposed The New Deal. • Business leaders accused Roosevelt of spending too much government money and trying to destroy free enterprise.
Video • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8k0jJdqKP0&feature=related • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csnY0Tnvdj8&feature=related
Sources • The American Journey text book • YouTube • About.com