University:
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Course:
HIST 1160 | U.S. History to 1865
Academic year:

2024
Views:

161

Pages:

4
Author:

Harsh P.

Title: Lecture Notes - The Great Depression I. Introduction ● ● Definition of The Great Depression ● A severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s ● Often considered the most catastrophic economic event of the 20th century Historical Context ● Occurred in the aftermath of World War I, which had significant economic repercussions ● Factors leading to the Depression II. Causes of the Great Depression ● Economic Factors ● ● ● Stock market crash of 1929 ● Overview of the crash and its immediate effects ● Role of speculative trading and margin buying Banking system failures ● Bank runs and the collapse of banks ● Impact on people's savings and confidence Reduction in international trade ● ● ● Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act and its effects on global trade Income inequality ● Concentration of wealth among a few ● Impact on consumer spending Agricultural Crisis ● Dust Bowl and its effects on farming ● Decline in agricultural prices ● Migration of rural populations to cities ● Government Policies ● ● Role of the Federal Reserve ● Tightening of monetary policy ● Contraction of the money supply Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act ● ● Consequences for international trade Social and Psychological Factors ● Loss of confidence and optimism ● Rise in suicide rates ● Impact on family life and communities III. The Human Toll ● ● ● Unemployment ● Percentage of Americans unemployed ● Breadlines and soup kitchens ● Hoovervilles and homelessness Family Life ● Struggles of families to make ends meet ● Impact on children's health and education Migration ● Movement of people looking for work ● The Okies and their journey to California ● Changes in demographics of major cities IV. Government Response ● Herbert Hoover's Policies ● Belief in limited government intervention ● Volunteerism and the creation of public works programs ● ● Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal ● Introduction and overview ● Banking reforms and the Emergency Banking Act ● Relief, Recovery, and Reform programs Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ● Works Progress Administration (WPA) ● Social Security Act Role of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) ● ● ● Infrastructure development and electricity generation Impact of the New Deal on the economy ● Debate over its effectiveness ● The concept of deficit spending V. Cultural and Artistic Responses ● Impact on the arts and culture ● ● ● Literature, music, and visual arts John Steinbeck and "The Grapes of Wrath" ● Portrayal of the Great Depression's impact on individuals ● Influence on public perception Dorothea Lange's photography ● Documenting the lives of the poor and unemployed ● Iconic images of the era VI. Recovery and the Legacy ● ● World War II and the end of the Great Depression ● Economic mobilization for the war effort ● Decline in unemployment Lasting Effects ● Social Security and the welfare state ● Regulation of the financial industry (Glass-Steagall Act) ● Shifting political alliances and the emergence of the Democratic Party as a dominant force VII. Conclusion ● The Great Depression's enduring impact on the United States and the world ● Lessons learned about the role of government in economic crises ● The importance of social safety nets and economic regulations