The Great Depression Answer Key (1930s)

The Great Depression WebQuest (1930s) Directions: 1. When did the Great Depression begin? The Great Depression began on October 29, 1929, and ended in 1939. 2. Answer the following parts: a. Who was President during the beginning of the Great Depression? During the beginning of the Great Depression Herbert Hoover(31st president) served from the beginning of the Great Depression until the middle. b.What years was he in office? Herbert Hoover was in office from March 4, 1929, to March 4, 1933. c. Please include a picture. 3. In what year was the Great Depression at its worse? The Great Depression was at it’s worst during 1933. 4. During that year, how many people were unemployed? What percentage of the population was that? In 1933, 15 million people were unemployed which is about 24 percent. 5. Answer the following parts: Who was the President in office during the majority of the Great Depression? Franklin D. Roosevelt(32nd) served in the presidency during the majority of the Great Depression. What years was he in office? He was in office from March 4, 1933 - April 12, 1945. How many terms was that? Franklin D. Roosevelt served for 3 terms which are 12 years. Please include a picture. Franklin D. Roosevelt 6. During the Great Depression the farmers in the Mid-West suffered from another problem. What was this problem called? The dustbowl was the reason for the farmer’s suffering in the Mid-West. What led it to occur? The dustbowl occurred because the vegetation absorbed the nutrients from the soil, causing a certain type of drought. Please include a map that details the area affected by this problem. 7. Both Presidents during the Great Depression tried to respond to the economic problems, but they went about it in different ways. Find one way that each man attempted to solve the economic crisis. ● Herbert Hoover(31st president) attempted to solve the economic crisis by asking rich people to voluntarily donate to the people in need. ● Franklin D. Roosevelt attempted to solve the economic crisis through the New deal which offered financial reforms, work, and other programs. Describe why they chose that method. ● Herbert Hoover used that method because he believed that the government should be limited in handling the financial status of America. ● Franklin D. Roosevelt used that method because it offered a solution to the financial problem of America. Explain whether or not it was successful. Herbert Hoover’s plan wasn’t successful because rich people can’t provide a lot of money through donations, small donations don’t offer enough money to solve a country’s financial issue. - Franklin D. Roosevelt’s plan was successful to make people believe that they can get through the depression but it was not enough to end the Great Depression fully. 8. Find a photograph from the 1930s by Dorothea Lange, including the title. Migrant Mother - Who was Dorothea Lange? Dorothea Lange is an American documentary photographer and photojournalist, who is best known for her work called Farm Security Administration, showing the consequences of the Great Depression. Why did she take these photographs? Dorothea Lange took these photographs because it allows the people to view the nation’s depression. Explain in your own words what the image is trying to convey to its audience. The Image is trying to convey the gruesome effects of Dustbowl because of the wrinkly hair on children. The Image conveys tragedy and sadness because of the shortage of money. 9. For many people out of work, and especially for those who lost their homes, there was a place in the United States that was supposed to be “the promised land” What state was it? California was “the promised land” Many people from Oklahoma and Arkansas went here, what were the slang names for these people? The slang names for Oklahoma and Arkansas moved to California and are called Okies. What kind of opportunities did people expect of find? People were able to expect to find work to earn income. What was the reality? The Okies had to pay money in order to enter the state because of the overwhelming growth in the population of California. How did people travel to this so-called “Promise Land”? People walked to California through route 66 and used the railway tracks as a guide and this offered a way to deep west or California. Include a picture of a family traveling in this fashion. 10. What did it mean to “ride the rails?” - To illegally or without permission to travel through trains. What were these individuals looking for? - These individuals were looking to travel in an easier way to the west. What were these individuals frequently called? - This type of individuals were called hobos. 11. Please define “escapism”. Action to get rid of depression or sadness. In terms of the 1930s, why would this be important? - This is important because it allowed people to believe that there is still hope to recover. List 3 ways in which families in the 1930s “escaped” from their harsh realities. - films - Songs - Dance 12. Why are movies so popular during the 1930s? Movies were popular because it allowed people to “escape” the depression caused by the Great Depression. Name one major Hollywood studio company in the 1930s. MGM was one major Hollywood studio company in the 1930s. Name one movie released in the 1930s and include a picture. The Wizard of Oz Name one major actors/actresses from the 1930s and include a picture. Judy Garland 13. Gangsters and Bank Robbers reached the height of their popularity in the 1930s. Research some of the famous gangsters of the era (NOT Al Capone). List one/a set of famous gangsters. John Dillinger What were they famous for? A famous bank robber, he was successful to rob banks consecutively without getting caught. What happened to them? An FBI agent named Charles Winstead was credited for killing John Dillinger. Include an image. 14. FDR set up a number of organizations during the 1930s in order to combat the Depression – frequently referred to as the alphabet organizations. Find 1 of these organizations. The New deal was the name of the organizations during the 1930s. List when the organization was created. The New Deal was created in 1933. What was the major purpose of the organization? The organization provided financial reforms, public work projects, and etc. Include a picture representing this organization. 15. What were “Fireside Chats”? What was their purpose? Fireside Chats were a series of information passed through the radios by the FDR. The fireside chats allowed FDR to know his ideas that will help restore the crisis and made the people increase their faith in the president 16. Look at the following image. What are the people at the bottom of the image doing? The people are trying to look for jobs and are in an unemployment line. What does the message on the billboard imply about life in America? The image’s message is that America is advancing and the financial crisis has been solved. Explain the irony depicted within this image. The irony is that the poster is representing a high standard life of people living in America. In reality, people are jobless, short on food, and short on money. 17. What is believed to be the reason that the Great Depression ended? Why? It is believed that World War II ended the Great Depression, by the end of WW II people believe that sharp reductions in spending, taxes, and regulation caused WW II to end.