1. Government Response and the Human Impact of the Depression
Photos by photographer Dorothea Lange

2. Essential Question
How did the federal government respond to the economic collapse that began in 1929?

3. What would you say?
Response A “America won’t let you down, kids. If your parents work really hard, they will eventually find jobs to support you and your family. In this country, hard work and perseverance always pay off. Maybe for right now, though, your church or a charity near your home can help your family. Personal responsibility and local organizations are the answers to your problems.”
Response B “I feel truly horrible about your situation. You must be very hungry. But help is on the way. Soon the government will start programs to provide jobs for your parents. The government will make sure you are fed, too. The president and Congress will help you. More government programs is the answer to your problems.”
Examine the projected photograph, and imagine that you are a government official who must respond to the pleas of these children. What will you tell them can be done to help them and their families?
Decide which response below you most agree with. In your notebook, write the letter of that response and a few sentences that explain your choice.
Response C “Wealthy Americans must stop being so greedy! The government needs to tax the wealthy heavily and give some of that money to those who live in poverty. Redistributing or sharing the wealth is the answer to your problems.”

4. Alabama family, 1938 Photo by Walter Evans
THE GREAT DEPRESSION
The Stock Market crash signaled the beginning of the Great Depression
Between 1929 – 1940 the economy plummeted and unemployment skyrocketed
The crash alone did not cause the Great Depression
Alabama family, 1938 Photo by Walter Evans

5. FINANCIAL COLLAPSE
After the crash, many Americans panicked and withdrew their money from banks
Banks had invested in the Stock Market and lost money
In banks fail
By 1933 – 11,000 of the 25,000 banks nationwide had collapsed
Bank run 1929, Los Angeles

7. Ideological Responses
Ideology: set of basic ideas, beliefs and values that form the basis of a social, economic, political philosophy or program
Conservative: cherishes and seeks to preserve traditional customs and values
Natural business cycle, economic decline, panic and recovery-happens in a Capitalist economy and supported by some economists//leave the economy alone
Liberal: committed to the government expanding its powers to protect individual liberty
Increased spending on public works, higher taxes on the wealthy, take an active role with business
Radical: someone who wants to make sweeping political, social or economic changes
Replace Capitalism with Communism and rise-up against “greedy Capitalists”
While running for President in 1932, FDR used a metaphor to explain three ideological responses to the Depression. He said “Say that civilization is a tree, which as it grows, continually produces rot and dead wood. The radical says: cut it down. The conservative says: don’t touch it. The liberal compromises: let’s prune so that we lose neither the old trunk nor the new branches.”

8. HOOVER STRUGGLES WITH THE DEPRESSION
After the stock market crash, President Hoover tried to reassure Americans
He said, “Any lack of confidence in the economic future Is foolish”
He recommended business as usual
Herbert Hoover

9. BUT HE REALIZED SOMETHING MUST BE DONE
HOOVER’S PHILOSOPHY
He believed in “rugged individualism” – the idea that people succeed through their own efforts -People should take care of themselves, not depend on government handouts -instead local communities, churches and private charities should take care of their citizens
BUT HE REALIZED SOMETHING MUST BE DONE
Created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1932 to issue gov’t loans to banks, railroads and other big businesses
Trickle-down theory to help the needy
In 1932, signed a bill to allow RFC to finance public works projects

10. Hoovervilles: shantytowns outside of metropolitan areas during the Depression

11. HOOVER’S SUCCESSFUL DAM PROJECT
Hoover successfully organized and authorized the construction of the Boulder Dam (Now called the Hoover Dam)
The $700 million project was the world’s tallest dam (726 feet) and the second largest (1,244 feet long)
The dam currently provides electricity, flood control and water for 7 western states

13. BONUS ARMY 1932 incident further damaged Hoover’s image
15,000 World War I Vets arrived in Washington to support a proposed bill
The Putnam Bill would have authorized Congress to pay a bonus to WWI vets immediately
The bonus was scheduled to be paid in The Army vets wanted it NOW!!!

14. Thousands of Bonus Army soldiers protest – Spring 1932
BONUS ARMY TURNED DOWN
Hoover called the Bonus marchers, “Communists and criminals”
On June 17, 1932 the House passed but the Senate voted down the Putnam Bill
Thousands of Bonus Army soldiers protest – Spring 1932

15. BONUS MARCHERS CLASH WITH SOLDIERS
Hoover told the Bonus marchers to go home– most did
2,000 refused to leave "We intend to maintain our Army in Washington, regardless of who goes home." Walter Waters
Hoover sent a force of 1,000 soldiers under the command of General Douglas MacArthur and his aide Dwight Eisenhower

16. AMERICANS SHOCKED AT TREATMENT OF WWI VETS
MacArthur’s 12th infantry gassed (tear gas) more than 1,000 marchers, including an 11-month old baby, who died
Two vets were shot and scores injured
Americans were outraged and once again, Hoover’s image suffered

17. GI Bill Four years later they got their bonuses
in 1944, Congress passed the GI Bill
help military veterans transition to civilian life
acknowledge the debt owed to those who risk their lives for their country.
GI=Government Issue

18. Hoover had little chance to be re-elected in 1932

19. Election of 1932 Hoover would run for reelection
Democrats nominated NY Governor
Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)
Promised a “New Deal for the American people”
Would help the needy and promote recovery
“the Country needs bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

20. Election of 1932

21. Essential Question
How did ordinary Americans endure the hardships of the Great Depression?

22. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”
1. Is the song’s tempo fast or slow? How does the tempo make you feel?
2. What did the singer do before the Great Depression? What is he doing now?
3. In what ways does the photograph reflect what you hear and feel when listening to the song?
4. Thinking about the song and the photograph, in what ways do you think people might have endured the hardships of the Depression?

23. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”
They used to tell me I was building a dream.
And so I followed the mob When there was earth to plow
Or guns to bear was always there Right on the job.
They used to tell me I was building a dream
With peace and glory ahead.
Why should I be standing in line Just waiting for bread?
Once I built a railroad I made it run
Made it race against time.
Once I built a railroad Now it’s done.
Brother, can you spare a dime?
Once I built a tower up to the sun
Brick and rivet and lime
Once I built a tower Now it’s done.
Once in khaki suits Gee we looked swell
Full of that yankee doodly dum.
Half a million boots went slogging through hell
And I was the kid with the drum!
Say don’t you remember? They called me Al.
It was Al all the time.
Why don’t you remember? I’m your pal.
Say buddy, can you spare a dime?

24. “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?”
1. Is the song’s tempo fast or slow? How does the tempo make you feel?
2. What did the singer do before the Great Depression? What is he doing now?
3. In what ways does the photograph reflect what you hear and feel when listening to the song?
4. Thinking about the song and the photograph, in what ways do you think people might have endured the hardships of the Depression?

25. Step 1 Prepare a “scrapbook” for your tour of the country during the Great Depression:
• Draw a horizontal line across the center of two pages in your notebook. Do the same on the next two pages.
• Tape one of the eight photographs along the left edge of each space.

26. Step 2 Visit the eight stations on the tour
Step 2 Visit the eight stations on the tour. Examine the photograph and the primary source at each station. Read the subsection(s) of Chapter 32 identified on the placard, and record notes in the space with the matching photograph. Include the following in your notes for each station:
• three or more important and interesting facts from the reading
• a title above the photograph that identifies the state you are visiting
• a thought bubble for the person in the photograph that describes the hardships he or she faced during the Depression
• a quotation from the primary source at the station that describes at least one way people endured the hardships of the Depression
• additional creative touches to make your scrapbook realistic, such as a sketch of an item you picked up during your visit to that state