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#1 Chapter 14 The Great Depression Begins. SECTION 1 : THE NATION’S SICK ECONOMY. OBJECTIVE: UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION. I. Causes of the Great Depression. A. Post-WWI Depression Less worldwide trade Less demand for goods Less Jobs. B. Crisis in the Farm Sector
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#1Chapter 14 The Great Depression Begins SECTION 1: THE NATION’S SICK ECONOMY. OBJECTIVE: UNDERSTAND THE CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION
I. Causes of the Great Depression A. Post-WWI Depression • Less worldwide trade • Less demand for goods • Less Jobs
B. Crisis in the Farm Sector • Demand for crops declined after WWI. • Farmers fall into debt. • Congress attempts to help with price supports: governments buy surplus crops, guarantee prices. -Vetoed by President Coolidge. Why?
C. Availability of Easy Credit • Consumers purchase goods on credit: buy now and pay later. • Consumers pile up large consumer debt. • Too much debt = less consumer spending.
D. Unequal Distribution of Wealth • Rich got richer, and the poor got poorer. • Poor cannot afford to buy consumer goods. • Led to surplus of goods. • Led to less jobs. • More poor people.
II. Hoover Takes the Nation • Republican Herbert Hoover wins election in 1928. • Hoover was the Secretary of Commerce. Inexperienced as a politician. • Most Americans belief in Hoover’s leadership.
III. Stock Market Crashes • Americans dream of striking it rich in the Stock Market. • Americans engage in speculation: buying stocks and bonds on the chance of quick profit. • Buying on margin: pay small percent of price, borrow the rest. • Government did little to regulate the stock market.
Black Tuesday October 29, 1929 • Stock prices falling; shareholders attempt to sell before prices lowered even more. • People who had purchased stock on credit were stuck with huge debt. • Hoover asks businesses not to lay off employees.
IV. The Great Depression • 1929-1940 • Effects: children had poor diets, families became homeless, men became unemployed, and some committed suicide. • Unemployment rates leaped from 3% to 25%. • People developed habits of saving and thriftiness. • Led to rise of charity (soup kitchens and bread lines) • Hoover’s approach to the Depression was voluntary cooperation.
Short Answer Question In your opinion, what was the primary cause of the Great Depression? Support your answer in 3-4 sentences.