1 Historical Study: The Great Depression and The Dust Bowl Tenth Grade Literature and Composition

2 The Dust Bowl and The Great Depression

3 Introduction How did The Great Depression affect America? How did The Great Depression affect America?

4 Topics of Discussion The “Roaring Twenties” The “Roaring Twenties” The economy in the late 1920s The economy in the late 1920s The Stock Market Crash The Stock Market Crash The Dust Bowl The Dust Bowl The lives of Migrant Workers The lives of Migrant Workers

5 The “Roaring Twenties” The first topic we will cover is the decade called the “roaring twenties”. The first topic we will cover is the decade called the “roaring twenties”. Let’s check out the poster… Let’s check out the poster…

6 The Roaring 1920’s!!! First shopping mall built First shopping mall built First fast food chain, A&W Root Beer First fast food chain, A&W Root Beer Appliances were being massed produced—radios, washing machines, telephones, cars Appliances were being massed produced—radios, washing machines, telephones, cars Companies spend $1.5 billion on advertising in 1927 Companies spend $1.5 billion on advertising in 1927 Ford built his automobile empire Ford built his automobile empire People began to buy things on credit People began to buy things on credit Business were booming! Business were booming!

7 Contrast the men and women in these two drawings. What makes them different? Victorian Woman Jazz Age Woman Victorian Woman Jazz Age Woman

8 The Economy of the Late 1920s “Everybody ought to be rich” “Everybody ought to be rich” 200 large companies controlled 49% of all American industry 200 large companies controlled 49% of all American industry Too many goods, not enough demand Too many goods, not enough demand Farm prices fell after WWI Farm prices fell after WWI Farmers not able to repay their debts Farmers not able to repay their debts

9 The Stock Market Crash Stocks hit all-time highs in September of 1929 Stocks hit all-time highs in September of 1929 In October, stocks began to fall In October, stocks began to fall Ex. General Electric stocks bought for $400 sold for $283 Ex. General Electric stocks bought for $400 sold for $283 Black Tuesday—16.4 million shares sold, compared to average of 4 million Black Tuesday—16.4 million shares sold, compared to average of 4 million This collapse of the stock market is known as the Great Crash This collapse of the stock market is known as the Great Crash

10 Why did the market crash? Many people bought stocks on margin—like a loan Many people bought stocks on margin—like a loan Companies lied about their profits—remember Enron? Companies lied about their profits—remember Enron? Economies like ours go through natural “boom” and “bust” cycles Economies like ours go through natural “boom” and “bust” cycles Republican Presidents believed in laissez faire—no control on businesses Republican Presidents believed in laissez faire—no control on businesses Stock market was not regulated by government Stock market was not regulated by government

11 The Stock Market Crash From Riches to Ruin Many wealthy families lost everything Many wealthy families lost everything Some even committed suicide Some even committed suicide Millions of people who never owned a single stock lost their jobs, farms and homes Millions of people who never owned a single stock lost their jobs, farms and homes The crash triggered a much wider, long term crisis known as the Great Depression The crash triggered a much wider, long term crisis known as the Great Depression The Depression lasted from 1929 to 1941 when America entered WWII The Depression lasted from 1929 to 1941 when America entered WWII The Depression had a ripple effect that hurt the economies of other countries The Depression had a ripple effect that hurt the economies of other countries

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13 How many people were unemployed in 1925? In 1929? In 1932?

14 Great Crash What was the average stock value in 1929? 1932?

15 How many banks were suspended in 1925? In 1933?

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17 A Dust Storm in Eastern Colorado

18 Another Dust Storm

19 A father and his two sons seek shelter from a dust storm

20 Sand covering a farm after a dust storm

21 An abandoned farm in Kansas.

22 A collage of newspaper headlines from the Dust Bowl

23 A man in the midst of a dust storm

24 The Dust Bowl- 1930s The Great Plains region—N. & S. Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas Oklahoma and northern Texas The Great Plains region—N. & S. Dakota, Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas Oklahoma and northern Texas Farmers plow the plains, eliminating the protective layer of grass Farmers plow the plains, eliminating the protective layer of grass Wheat replaces grass—tractors make it much easier Wheat replaces grass—tractors make it much easier Severe drought Severe drought High winds High winds Layers of top soil blown away, leaving dunes of grit and sand Layers of top soil blown away, leaving dunes of grit and sand

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26 A family in a “lean-to” tent

27 Escaping the “Black Blizzard”

28 Migrant Workers As the "double whammy" of drought and depression deepened on the Great Plains, more and more farmers gave up or were forced off of their land. As the "double whammy" of drought and depression deepened on the Great Plains, more and more farmers gave up or were forced off of their land. In addition, the relentless march of new tractors meant that the farmers who were able to scrape together enough money to buy a tractor could buy out their neighbors. In addition, the relentless march of new tractors meant that the farmers who were able to scrape together enough money to buy a tractor could buy out their neighbors. Fewer farmers could farm more land. But where would those who left go? Fewer farmers could farm more land. But where would those who left go?

29 These boots are made for walkin’ Some went to cities. But many decided to head west. Some went to cities. But many decided to head west. During the 30s hundreds of thousands left the plains for the West Coast. So many migrated from Oklahoma that they were dubbed "Okies" in the popular press. During the 30s hundreds of thousands left the plains for the West Coast. So many migrated from Oklahoma that they were dubbed "Okies" in the popular press. For years, California, Oregon and Washington had been growing. Many who were pushed off of the plains were pulled west because they had relatives who had moved to the coastal areas which offered a perfect climate and an abundance of work in the agricultural industry. For years, California, Oregon and Washington had been growing. Many who were pushed off of the plains were pulled west because they had relatives who had moved to the coastal areas which offered a perfect climate and an abundance of work in the agricultural industry.

30 A family trying to escape the dust bowl

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32 Connection to Of Mice and Men Clinging to each other in their loneliness and alienation, George and his simple-minded friend Lennie dream, as drifters will, of a place to call their own. But after they come to work on a ranch in the Salinas Valley their hopes, like "the best laid schemes o' mice an' men," begin to go awry. Clinging to each other in their loneliness and alienation, George and his simple-minded friend Lennie dream, as drifters will, of a place to call their own. But after they come to work on a ranch in the Salinas Valley their hopes, like "the best laid schemes o' mice an' men," begin to go awry.

33 The End