Overview:The American economy entered an ordinary recession during the summer of 1929, as consumer spending dropped and unsold goods began to pile up, slowing production. At the same time, stock prices continued to rise, and by the fall of that year had reached levels that could not be justified by anticipated future earnings. On October 24, 1929, the stock market bubble finally burst, as investors began dumping shares en masse. A record 12.9 million shares were traded that day, known as “Black Thursday.” Five days later, on “Black Tuesday” some 16 million shares were traded after another wave of panic swept Wall Street. Millions of shares ended up worthless, and those investors who had bought stocks “on margin” (with borrowed money) were wiped out completely.
To continue reading, click on the link below: |
How exactly did the U.S. let the Great Depression happen?Everyone tends to associate the start of the Great Depression with the stock market crash of "Black Tuesday," but was it actually the cause for the economic collapse? Find out what events set the course for the Great Depression with this Crash Course video:
|
|
Dorthea Lange - History Through PhotographyOne of the defining markers of the Great Depression was that it was highly photographed and documented by the Federal Government. One of the most influential photographers during that time period was Dorthea Lange. Over the span of the Depression, she and her husband "traveled extensively together, documenting the rural hardship they encountered for the Farm Security Administration, established by the U.S. Agriculture Department. Taylor wrote reports, and Lange photographed the people they met. This body of work included Lange’s most well-known portrait, “Migrant Mother,” an iconic image from this period that gently and beautifully captured the hardship and pain of what so many Americans were experiencing. The work now hangs in the Library of Congress." - Biography.com
You can read more about Dorthea and her work in the link below: |
The New Deal
After having seen the failures of Herbert Hoover as president, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected with the notion that he would bring about swift and far-reaching change for all Americans. Instead of cutting spending, FDR actually spent more money during the Depression, creating numerous organizations to help farmers, the banks, public works projects, young people, the stock market, and much more. You can explore the massive campaign known as the New Deal by clicking on the links below:
|
|
Crash Course: The New DealHow can you climb your way out of the worst economic depression in American history? Maybe try something new? The New Deal promised economic support for a record-setting number of Americans through the creation of subdivisions focused on a specific economic branch needing assistance. Watch more about these organizations and determine yourself if the New Deal actually worked, with Crash Course:
|
Did the New Deal Actually Work?The Federal government spent millions of dollars to provide new programs for helping Americans find work and pull themselves out of the depression. Now just because the government took over the economy, were they actually able to make a long-lasting impact? Click on the link below to navigate through an interactive map of how the New Deal affected America and even neighboring countries:
|
Want More Resources?
Are you looking for even more resources on the Great Depression and New Deal?
Check out this resource that was suggested by a student who used this site!
Check out this resource that was suggested by a student who used this site!