Depression and American Culture Mr. Chojnacki US II Honors

Depression Values Social Values changed very little People actually responded to hard times by recommitting to familiar ideas and goals Remained committed to traditional American emphasis on the Individual

Success Ethic Most people did not look to the government for assistance Many blamed corporate moguls, bankers, and others Overall the Depression was not able to erode the success ethic

Self Blame Many unemployed blamed themselves Many refused to leave their homes Turned to alcohol Foreigners described Depression as “hard to see” as many unemployed did not go out in public

Radio During the Depression Most homes owned radios by 1930’s Escapism was the staple of broadcasting Amos and Andy, Superman, Dick Tracy, The Lone Ranger Comedy: George Burns Soap Operas: Popular with women, sponsored by soap companies

Radio’s Impact First direct access to news and sports World Series, Academy Awards, Presidential Speeches Hindenburg Disaster: “Oh the Humanity” War of the Worlds: massive panic in NJ Drew American’s together with shared experiences and common views on culture

Movies Cheap option for entertainment Mainly not controversial topics Sometime dealt with political/social issues Frank Capra: celebrated small town virtues and decency of mankind over shallow corrupt values of the cities It’s a Wonderful Life, Mr. Deeds goes to Town, Mr. Smith goes to Washington

Walt Disney Created shorts in the 1920’s Steamboat Willie: Debut of Mickey Mouse in 1928 Eventually created full length features like Snow White (1937) Wizard of Oz and Gone with the Wind were other major movies of the era (Book adaptations)

Popular Literature Margaret Mitchell: Gone with the Wind Hemingway: For Whom the Bell Tolls (Spanish Civil War) being part of something Steinbeck: The Grapes of Wrath (Showed harsh side of Depression, but also endurance of main characters)

Long Term Effects Radio, Movies, and Books mainly upheld belief in the “American Way of Life” Allowed people to escape or empathize with characters