The Beginning of the Great Depression, 1930’s
 by Christina T. and Kimberley P.

“It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, ...it was the season of Light, it was the season of Darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair, we had everything before us, we had nothing before us,…”(Dickens, 1859). Though he lived before the Great Depression, no words are as befitting this period as those written by Charles Dickens. Most individuals who lived through the Great Depression, and historians alike, would agree that it was definitely “the worst of times.” But in that same sentiment, the people had only “the best of times” ahead of them, "the season of Light…the spring of hope…” Though this might seem contradictory of the Great Depression one envisions, with its world of suffering and tremendous strife, there was still hope. It was that “Light” that came in a time of “Darkness,” the president whom everyone came to love...President Franklin D. Roosevelt. With his hopeful promises of a New Deal and his assuaging fireside chats, President Roosevelt inspired and calmed a hurting nation, easing them back on track (Jones, et al., 2010).

We invite you to join us on our journey, as we explore the twists and turns that led our nation down the road to the Great Depression. Whether catching a glimpse of it's effects on individuals and communities, reviewing the political changes that halted it's progression, or imagining the emotions of the time as President Roosevelt spoke of his New Deal, we hope you enjoy this look back into a trying, but crucial time in our American History.
 REFERENCES:
Dickens, C. A tale of two cities; 1859. The Online Literature Library. Accessed November 8, 2010.
http://www.literature.org/authors/dickens-charles/two-cities/book-01/chapter-01.html

Jones, Wood, Borstelmann, May, Ruiz. Created Equal, Brief Edition, Volume 2, 3/e, eBook. Part Eight.
Accessed November 8, 2010.
http://view.ebookplus.pearsoncmg.com/ebook/launcheText.do?values=bookID::4589::invokeType::lms::launchState::goToEBook::scenarioid::scenario5::logoutplatform::1027::platform::1027::scenario::5::globalBookID::CM83548817::userID::1304123::hsid::1f9792201eaa3f71de212c73b1ddc087

Photo: “Migrant Mother” 1936 Feb. or Mar. Lange, Dorothea; photographer. Farm Security Administration - Office of War Information Photograph Collection; Accessed November 8, 2010. http://lcweb2.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b00000/3b06000/3b06100/3b06165r.jpg

Factors Affecting the Great Depression
 by Felicia S. 

The specific causes of the Great Depression have been a debate among historians and economists for years. Many causes and factors contributed to the onset of the Depression, including a combination of domestic and worldwide conditions. The most crucial of these was the fact that a tiny minority of the population controlled most of the wealth, while many average families could not afford to buy goods they themselves produced. Other major contributors to the onset of the Great Depression included the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and crippling bank failures (Graph). Throughout the 1930’s over 9,000 banks failed. Bank deposits were not insured and, as banks started to close, people lost all their savings. With the stock market crash and the fears of further economic woes, individuals from all classes stopped buying items, leading to a reduction in purchasing across the board. This cutback in spending led to a subsequent reduction in production and workforce, resulting in the loss of jobs for many.

While not considered a direct cause, the drought in the Mississippi Valley was another factor affecting the Great Depression. The drought was of such proportions that many could not pay their taxes or other debts and had to sell their farms at no profit to themselves, which only added to the nation’s economic despair. When combined with the other key elements mentioned, we begin to understand a few of the major factors that led our country into one of the worst economic times in American History.


REFERENCES:
Martin, Kelly. Top 5 Causes of the Great Depression; About.com: American history. Accessed November 10, 2010. http://americanhistory.about.com/od/greatdepression/tp/greatdepression.htm

Nardo, Don, 2000. The Great Depression Turning Points in World History. Greenhaven Press. ISBN-10: 0737702303
Supkis, Elaine M, 2008. World Stock Markets Crash; Money Matters. Graph; copyright, Dustin Woodard. Accessed November 10, 2010.
http://elainemeinelsupkis.typepad.com/money_matters/2008/09/september-15-20.html

Graph: http://elainemeinelsupkis.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2008/09/15/great_depression_stock_graph_where_.jpg

Photo: Picture compiled from Wall Street Crash headline retrieved from http://edit.emich.edu/index.php?title=Wall_Street_Crash ; Texas Farm experiencing drought from photograph taken by the Farm Security Administration; Customers flood a bank in 1929 as Wall Street crashed, precipitating the Great Depression retrieved from www.slate.com/id/2201264/

Life During the Great          Depression                                 

by Sadie M.

The Great Depression was one of the hardest times in United States history for families as well. The citizens of the U.S. were thrown into a dark time. With the crash of the stock market in 1929 and the American economy crushed, American farmers, who could not make any money on their crops, were also losing $1.50 per acre of land they planted (S., Collin). Having no mercy on the farmers, the elements took their toll. As giant dust storms destroyed fields, it left farmers broke with no way to repair the damage, forcing many to leave their homes in search of different work.

Misfortune continued in the nation; factories closed from overproduction, and unemployment rates sky-rocketed. By 1933 thirty-four million American citizens had absolutely no source of income, and poverty in the U.S. had become a major issue. More than 60% of people were officially considered to be living in poverty, and all unemployed citizens were dependent on the local soup kitchens for survival. In addition to unemployment, 2 million American were homeless and left to wander the streets, from town to town, looking for work. However, acting with instinctual self-preservation, towns became riddled with signs telling these homeless, out of work people to go away...yet they had nowhere to go. Searching for food and a place to sleep for the night, these adults, and children alike, were quickly slipping away (S., Collin). As President Coolidge so aptly stated, “In other periods of depression, it has always been possible to see some things which were solid and upon which you could base hope, but as I look about, I now see nothing to give ground to hope —nothing of man.” Homeless, unemployed, and discouraged, Americans walked the streets of our country; sick, tired, poor, and losing hope. These people, of a once strong and successful nation, had lost their desire to push forward.

REFERENCES:

S., Colin; October 19, 2008. Causes and effects of the great depression; in History. Accessed November 8, 2010. http://socyberty.com/history/causes-and-effects-of-the-great-depression/

Jones, Wood, Borstelmann, May, Ruiz. Created Equal, Brief Edition, Volume 2, 3/e, eBook. Part Eight. Accessed November 8, 2010.

Photo: Mark Jarvis Dropped from Payroll: December 31,2008 http://www.tribbleagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2_great_depression.jpg

Changing Economic Depression to Growth

  by Emily F.                                                                                     Read FDRs Fireside Chats

During the Great Depression, America underwent several major set backs, as mentioned before, the Stock Market crashed, unemployment rose dramatically, and America went into a state of shock. In 1933, during this chaotic time, America elected a new president, President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). FDR would soon make many changes to our government and economy. One major change President Roosevelt promised was the “New Deal,” which was a system allowing the government to step in to decrease unemployment levels and offer welfare assistance. The New Deal did not lead to immediate economic recovery. However, welfare offices, along with FDR’s Fireside Chats, were able to assist the needy population long enough to keeping the country stable until permanent change could occur.

While FDR and his New Deal were influencing factors, the major influence moving America away from the Great Depression was actually the beginning of World War II (WWII). Once America became involved in the war, and more jobs were created, the unemployment rate dropped (Jones, et. Al.). This war was a major influence in transforming America and stimulating the economy out of the Great Depression. Hence, President Roosevelt, the New Deal, and WWII were largely responsible for squelching the Great Depression of the 1930's.

REFERENCES:
Nelson, Cary. About the great depression; Modern American poetry, (website). Accessed November 10, 2010. http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/depression/about.htm

United States History, website. Accessed November 10, 2010. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1851.html

Jones, Wood, Borstelmann, May, Ruiz. Created Equal, Brief Edition, Volume 2, 3/e, eBook. Part Eight. Accessed November 8, 2010.

Photo: FDR's Fireside Chats; President Franklin Delano Roosevelt is shown delivering his first fireside chat to the nation via radio on the subject of banking.
 http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/562

The New Deal
 by Holly J.

In 1933 with the Great Depression in full swing and the election of a new president, Franklin D. Roosevelt, America would see a “New Deal,” resulting in many changes for our government and citizens. President Roosevelt proposed his New Deal in response to the growing poverty and unemployment rates. Key elements of this plan gave rise to many organizations and Acts to help the struggling economy and citizens, such as Civilian Conservation Corps, which aimed to provide jobs to 2.5 million unemployed citizens. Along with the Works Progress Administration, which would have created about 9 millions jobs constructing bridges, sidewalks, opera houses, etc., there were also smaller projects such as photography projects, working with Indians on reservations, and working with National Forests and parks (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, webpage). Though only a few of the acts brought to life by Roosevelt are still in existence, the New Deal was a huge step in picking America up and putting almost everyone back on their feet. Roosevelt’s New Deal offered hope for America - a hope that they would get out of the Depression, and a belief that it was actually possible. And while the New Deal may not have immediately produced a new economy, it definitely awakened a new spirit among the American people of the time.
 
REFERENCES:
The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration. The Great Depression and the New Deal. Accessed November 10, 2010. http://www.archives.gov/pacific-alaska/picturing-the-century/great-depression.html

Schweikart, L, & Allen, M. "A Patriot's History of the United States" pp. 568-569.

Photo: Franklin D. Roosevelt at a CCC camp. Retrieved from
http://newdeal.feri.org/library/photo_details.cfm?PhotoID=5477&ProjCatID=10471&CatID=24&subCatID=1099

The Ending of the Great Depression
 by Rhonda W.

The Great Depression was a very trying time for many people of all walks of life. One single factor cannot be isolated as the sole blame for all the hardship that many American citizens faced. Multiple factors contributed to the depression, both domestic and worldwide. The Stock Market crash of 1929 was deemed the most contributing factor propelling the depression. Its effects were widespread, with the closing of factories and the soaring of unemployment rates. Many Americans also laid blame on the leaders of our country for not helping citizens more through this difficult time.

Though Franklin D. Roosevelt did a lot for boosting the morale of the American people and jump-starting some important government programs, most American citizens were able to bounce back only after World War II, which created many jobs and helped put our nation back on top, stronger and better than ever before. In the words of Dale Carnegie, “Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.” And keep trying is just what the citizens of this time did, time and time again, rising up from adversity, forging ahead to forever create a new "American Way."

REFERENCES:
Photo: Late 1930s billboard signing praises of the American Way of Life. While the country was not free of all effects of the depression, some positive economic progress had started being made, retrieved from http://www.picturehistory.com/product/id/12751