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(Great Depression) To Do:
Activity 1 Background: Depression Reading The Depression was documented by order of the Federal Government. The Farm Security Administration with such photographers as Walker Evans, Arthur Rothstein, Margaret Bourke-White and Dorothea Lange believed the way to get the American public to understand the effects of the Depression was through documentation, in particular by way of photographs. Scattered throught the American wastelands these photographers and others documented thousands of individuals relation to the depression. Some Americans for the first time discovered the desperate situation many other Americans found themselves in. Before you begin these depression activities you should read the following brief outline of the Great Depression
The Great Depression: 1929-1941
The stock-market crash of 1929 began the end of the prosperous twenties and the beginning of the longest and most devastating depression in American experience. America had experiences depressions before notably in the 1870's and 1890's. Each time the government might have intervened and to a certain extent they did. But too little too late perhaps held back by our continued belief in Laissez Faire. However the Great Depression was longer, felt by more individuals and indeed seemed to be world wide. The Depression of 1929-41 was in part caused by:
a. factories (too much to sell, too few buyers)
b. an uneven distribution of income (a few rich and many without)
c. the availability easy credit (both for new consumer goods as well as the ability to "Buy on the Margin."
d. an imbalance of foreign trade.
e. the steady decline in farm income. (which really began in the twenties.)
f. government fiscal policies
In the three years following the 1929 stock-market crash, the national income fell by half. Farms were sold, businesses and banks failed, and unemployment rose. At its peak it reached towards 25%, far lower than the rate for many minority groups whose rates were as bad as 80%. Worse, there were few public or governmental agencies that could deal with crisis. Millions of Americans, especially women and children, suffered unprecedented poverty and mental anguish. Farms had to stop producing food they could not sell. In fact some milk producers dumped their milk rather than sell it at a loss. In 1930 a major drought hit some of the farm states. Black dust in waves rolled across plains. The Dust Bowl added to the plight of farmers In 1932 the Bonus Army, composed of war veterans, marched on Washington. There people of different political persuasions presented different solutions to the enormous problems of the depression.
Herbert Hoover attempted to control the economic slide. President Hoover tried to restore American's confidence. In part, his belief was the depression psychological. He backed some public works project as well as government agencies to support loans to businesses and prevent more foreclosures on homes and farms. He hated human suffering, but he also believe in rugged individualism. He refused to give into the demands of the Bonus Army and those foreign countries. In fact a new term "Hooverville," came into use representing the shanty towns that appeared around American cities.
Democrats blamed Hoover for the depression.. Their Presidential candidate, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR, promised Americans "a New Deal." The Democrats won both the Presidential and congressional election of 1932. By the time FDR took office in March 1933, even more businesses had failed, and many banks had closed their doors.
Because FDR faced a difficult challenge, he particularly wanted his inaugural address to install confidence. In fact he said, we have nothing t fear but fear itself." (Shades of Hoover) He reassured the nation in a clear, strong tone. As a pragmatist, Roosevelt sought to reform his country's economic system rather than to change it completely. His wife, Eleanor, had great influence, which she used to promote the needs of the poor and the cause of racial justice.
FDR's first major task was to push through Congress the Emergency Banking Relief Act, which immediately attempted to restore public confidence in the nation's banking system. He closed the banks for three days and promised, those that opened after the three days, would reman open. Congress approved this and other bills drafted by FDR and his advisors. During his First Hundred Days, America saw the greatest amount of federal legislation that had ever been passed. pass This legislation aimed at bringing the nation relief and recovery, Reform would come later, in the Second New Deal.
Activity 1 Links
Activity 1 Directions: Photo Essays: You must examine and interpret the photographs taken by Rondal Partridge, and Imogen Cunningham, two documentary photographers of the Depression Era. In addition, you must read captions for these images. After you have completed this, in two pages, tell me all you can about the Depression era, with specific references to specific photographs (50 points possible)
Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .
Activity 2: Background Under Roosevelt, hundreds of agencies and programs were created which attempted to end the depression. Some were short term. Short term programs were of two types: Some were known as "Recovery," some of which designed mainly to revive American industry an example of this type of program was NIRA which were designed to revive business. Other programs known as "Relief" were attempts to meet the needs of individuals. The CCC and the PWA are two examples of these programs. Either way, Relief or Recovery were just that; meant to address a particular need of the time, then go away when the depression ended. Other programs, for example the Social Security Administration, attempted to reform, or change basic conditions as they existed in America. These programs were designed to remain long after the depression ended.
Activity 2 Links
Activity 2 Directions: New Deal Programs In the chart below:
New Deal Programs
|
Relief |
Recovery |
Reform |
|
| CCC | |||
| SSA | |||
| TVA | |||
| FDIC | |||
| AAA | |||
| NRA | |||
| The Wagner Act | |||
| PWA | |||
| Fair Labor Standards Act | |||
| FERA | |||
| Glass Steagall Act | |||
Activity 3: "Critics of the New Deal:" Background: Not every individual agreed with Roosevelt's New Deal. Some argued that he had gone too far, (critics from the right),while others believed he did not go far enough (critics from the left). Elsewhere, one must remember that during this same period of time Germany, Italy, and Japan were leaning towards the right or (Fascism) while the government of the Soviet Union, after the revolution of the 1917, was considered by most individuals, leftist (Communist). Critics of the New Deal had something in common with either fascism or communism, although they might not have defined it in quite this way. Both sides challenged Roosevelt. In addition, the Supreme Court ruled his programs unconstitutional.
Activity 3 Links:
Activity 3 Directions: Three well know critics of the New Deal included Charles Townsend, Huey Long and Father Coughlin. In the chart below, list their specific criticism of the New Deal as well as the proposed solutions they devised (Programs) to solve the problems of the Depression (30 points possible)
Charles Townsend
Father Coughlin
Huey Long
Name of Program/s Criticism of the New Deal Specifically what did they promise to do, to end the Depression?
Activity 4: Poster: Using an agency that you investigated in "Activity 2," create two posters that could have been used by that agency to enlist new recruits, or one that might attempt to increase support for their cause from the public. Rubric for Poster Activity (25 Points possible/each poster)
Activity 5: Background "The Social Security Dilemma" Perhaps you have heard that Social Security may not be around when you decide to retire. If you have a job, and you are paid by check, look at your check stub. You may discover that some of your money is missing. In fact, around 7% is deducted right off the top to help for retirement. The question is, is the money for your retirement yours or someone elses? Before the late 1930's, Social Security did not exist. If you decided to retire, you better have your own plan and money in place. Today some individuals call Social Security a safety-net. Additionally, the original purpose, of funds for retirement,t has expanded greatly. Many other groups, individuals and services are now a part of its umbrella. So who would be affected by its demise? How would life in the United States and your life be different if Social Security no longer existed.
Activity 5 Links:
Activity 5 Directions: I want you to investigate the history of Social Security as well as the current controversy concerning its future. This is a mini term paper. Your paper must adhere to the following format.
Activity 6 Background: Great Depression Groups. Not all groups were affected equally by the Great Depression. In fact, not only were ethnic groups affected in different ways men and women were affected differently. When you read about the 25% unemployment rate, this refers to White Males. The rates for other ethnic groups was considerably higher. One might surmise on the reasons for this difference, racism, economic and educational inequalities, whatever the reason the fact remains vast discrepancies exited.
You may if you wish write your own song reflecting views held during the Great Depression
Activity 6 Links:
Activity 6 Directions: Investigate one of the following groups and report on how the Depression affected them. I am specifically looking for facts and figures. How did they survive the Great Depression? What type of jobs, if any were open to them? Did the depression affect men and women differently? The Internet is rich in oral history documents, I suggest that you research some of these sites. (Groups to consider: Native Americans, Women, Hispanics, Afro-Americans. or youth, particularily, young boys) (Two page minimum,50 Points possible) Note: All essays will be graded according to the Helix Writing and Points Rubrics .
Alternate Assessment for Activity 6: Investigate songs from the Great Depression then write two of your own, using the themes and images from the time Each song must be at least a page and a half, typed double spaced.(50 points possible)
Alternate Links for Activity 6