1. Chapter 25, Section 3 “Americans Face Hard Times”

2. Dust Bowl (19:00-29:30)
Massive dust storms that swept through the Great Plains caused by severe droughts in the early 1930s
The top soil literally blew away which destroyed farms
Farmers already struggling with low crop prices often lost their farms to the banks

3. Efforts to Help Dust Bowl Farmers
New Deal programs tried to help them by offering them low-interest loans (FCA) and by stabilizing crop prices (AAA)
Efforts to prevent future Dust Bowls by growing grass and planting trees near fields to prevent wind erosion

4. “Okies” and “Arkies” Head West
2.5 million people left the Great Plains after they lost their farms
Most headed west looking for work, particularly in California
They struggled when they got there as there were too many looking for work and too few jobs

5. Great Depression Hit Some Groups Harder Than Others
Children – many dropped out of school to work to help support their families, and many left home to fend for themselves
Hispanics – had a harder time getting jobs and many were deported back to Mexico
African Americans – faced discrimination and many lost jobs to whites

6. Mary McLeod Bethune
Started a school for African American girls in Daytona Beach, Florida (a school that started with 6 girls, but eventually grew to become Bethune-Cookman University)
She was appointed Director of the Division of Negro Affairs (with-in the National Youth Admin.) which trained young African Americans for jobs
This made her the first African-American female federal agency head

7. The “Black Cabinet”
A group of African American leaders (such as Mary McLeod Bethune) who were appointed to positions within the FDR’s administration
They advised the president on issues relating to race
Why was FDR unwilling to sign a bill outlawing lynching?
Eleanor Roosevelt and
Mary McLeod Bethune

8. John Steinbeck
Famous author who described life in the Great Depression in many of his novels
“Grapes of Wrath” described the struggles of Dust Bowl farmers who moved to California looking for work

9. Woodie Guthrie
Oklahoma-born folk singer who crossed the country singing his songs about loss and struggle
“Dust Bowl Blues”
From 1976 movie “Bound for Glory”
about Woody Guthrie

10. Entertainment in the Depression Era
Swing Music – fast-paced rhythms that young people could dance to
Radio – shows like Little Orphan Annie and the Lone Ranger entertained
Movies – comedies, dramas, and musicals entertained and were very inexpensive to see
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers in “Follow the Fleet”

11. Full Recovery from the Depression
After the U.S. enters WWII
When govt. begins buying massive amounts of war supplies the problem of unemployment finally subsides
Pearl Harbor attacked by Japan

12. Effects of the Great Depression and the New Deal
Provided hope and relief to many Americans during the depression
Expanded the role of the federal govt.
Created major programs such as Social Security, FDIC, and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) which monitors the stock exchange
Created belief that the federal govt. is responsible for people’s well-being