The Great Depression (America during the 1930s) By: Drew Lascoskie and Kendall Thoensen

Introduction This project was completed by Kendall Thoensen and Drew Lascoskie. The topic of this project was the Great Depression. The sub-topics include the living conditions, global effects, the Dust Bowl, the effects on the environment, the effects on the children, and more.

Global Effects The Great Depression had effects that reached around the world. The most noticeable of these was the depression allowed for rise in the German dictator Adolph Hitler. The Great Depression also led to Japan invading China.

Global Effects (cont.) The invasion of Japan into China created a huge international upset which then led to World War II. This is because after Japan attacked China, China’s allies attacked Japan, and a chain reaction occurred. The economic effects could also be felt in other countries.

Global Effects (cont.) In Canada during the Great Depression, “the national economy was dependant on the export of raw materials and grain” (Mitchener, page 4). The Great Depression caused a huge decline in the wealth of Canada because there were fewer countries that they could trade with. Effects like these were common in other countries as well

The Solution to the Depression (WWII)

The Dust Bowl During the Great Depression there was a region in the southwestern plains that was called the “Dust Bowl.” The economic depression and a severe drought brought disastrous effects on the area around the Dust Bowl. During the severe drought, the Dust Bowl expanded to as great as one hundred acres.

The Dust Bowl (cont.) “Dry land farming on the Great Plains led to the systematic destruction of the prairie grasses. In ranching regions, overgrazing also destroyed large areas of grassland” (author not listed, page 1)

The Dust Bowl

The ‘Run On The Banks’ During the Depression, the public in Germany and the United States began to withdraw all of their savings money at one time. This forced more and more banks to close down.

Living Conditions During the Great Depression, the living conditions were deplorable. Many had to resort to living in the streets. Others were forced to build shacks out of flattened tin cans and crates in the shabby section of town. Groups of these were called “Hoovervilles.”

Hoovervilles

Suffering During the Great Depression, human suffering was a reality to American citizens. Many were forced to live in squalid conditions. Many died from disease caused by malnutrition. “In 1932, at least 25,000 families and more than 200,000 young people wandered through the country seeking food, clothing, shelter, and a job” (Mitchener, page 3).

Suffering Of The Great Depression

Environmental Effects Not only were the people of America effected by the Great Depression, but the environment was effected as well. Although the atmosphere of the cities and towns was deplorable, the overall environment increased. This was due to the shutting down of factories as a direct result of the Depression.

Effects on Children The Great Depression effected more than just the adults. Children also faced great difficulty. “Many youths traveled in freight trains and lived near train yards in camps called hobo jungles.” (Mitchener, page3).

“Hobo Jungle”

Unemployment Rates As the Great Depression deepened, the unemployment rate rapidly increased. “Unemployment in Germany rose to six million, in Britain to three million, and in the USA to fourteen million:in the USA by 1932 nearly every bank was closed” (author not listed 1). From here things got much worse until the Depression finally ended.

Literature of The Great Depression Of all the things effected by the Great Depression, literature was one of them. The book Their Eyes Were Watching God was written during the Great Depression by Zora Neale Hurston. This book was greatly influenced by the Depression in how it depicts the roles of men and women during the time the book is set in.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Conclusion In conclusion, the Great Depression lasted the entire span of the 1930s. It forced millions of people world wide out of their jobs. Most of these people also lost their jobs. Not only were adults effected by the Depression, so too were children who were forced to live in “hobo jungles.”

Conclusion (cont.) Although the Great Depression was devastating for the people of America, it was beneficial to the environment due to the closing of factories. Not only were the people and environment effected, literature at that time was effected as well. The best example of how literature was changed was through the book Their Eyes Were Watching God.

Cites Used