Distraction from the Depression

Music Man In the 1930s, jazz evolved into a new kind of dance music called “swing.” Now people could hear music for free on the radio, and the impact of swing was amazing! One of the most famous musicians of the “Swing Era” was Duke Ellington.

This pianist, composer, and bandleader is one of the most important musicians of the 20 th century. His band traveled all over the United States and Europe. Swing music was as popular in the 1930s as rock music is today!

Southern Comfort One of the most popular novels of all time was published in the 1930s. “Gone With the Wind,” written by Atlanta native Margaret Mitchell, told the story of Scarlet O’Hara and her struggles during the Civil War.

People living through the Depression were inspired by Scarlett as she overcame the tragedies that affected her family and others in the Old South. In 1939, Gone With the Wind was made into an extremely successful movie that still entertains people today.

Super Athlete Depression-era Americans were also inspired by the feats of track-and-field athlete Jesse Owens. In college, Owens broke 3 world records. He went to the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany with the US Olympic team and won 4 gold medals.

Adolf Hitler was upset by Owens winning at the Olympics because Jesse was African American. Hitler believed that every race was inferior to the German race. Owens inspired Americans through his athletic skill and his victory in the face of a brutal dictator.

4 th box: Herbert Hoover 5 th box: Franklin D. Roosevelt