1. Warm up Describe what you think the cartoon is “saying.”
Based on what you already know, who’s fault is at fault for the Great Depression?

2. Effects On Families Some men abandoned the family, committed suicide
Birthrates declined due to familial tension and economics
Children quit school to work, ran away
Some pressed on, but others fell into depression and shame

3. Misery and Despair Strike the Cities
Children were hurt negatively
Milk was replaced by water
Meat was extremely rare for meals
Poor nutrition hurt kids’ health

4. Misery and Despair Strike the Cities
Charity became increasingly important
Soup kitchens and bread lines offered free meals
Americans were reduced to selling furniture, jewelry
Forced to move into sub par housing

5. Misery and Despair Strike the Cities
Across America, “tent cities” known as Hoovervilles went up
These are makeshift “houses” built on public property
Usually made of discarded materials
Many were forced into the streets

6. Poverty Devastates Farmers
Farmers experienced even more debt as crop prices decreased
Farmers were unable to pay debts and often had to move due to foreclosure
Crop Prices from
Wheat: $ cents per bushel
Cotton: 35 cents – 6 cents per pound

7. The Dust Bowl
A long period during the 1930’s consisting of major dust storms
Cattle/crops were killed
Caused many farmers to relocate

8. The Dust Bowl Causes of the Dust Bowl Drought (lack of irrigation)
Over-farming of lands resulted in a loss of grasses and topsoil
High force winds

9. The Dust Bowl 800,000 fled, mostly to California/West Coast
Families forced to relocate were called “Okies” (Most came from Oklahoma)
Families forced to relocate were called “Okies” (Most came from Oklahoma)

10. Effects On Minorities
AA’s were often the “last to hired and the first to be fired”
1932-unemployment reached 50% for AA’s
Some Mexican-Americans returned home

11. Warm up
What would you do if your lost your entire life’s savings and couldn’t find a job?
What should the role of government be in helping people who are experiencing tough times?

12. Hoover Turns to Volunteerism
At first, Hoover wanted the Depression to carry itself out
Hands off the economy
Hoover stepped up propaganda campaign aimed at boosting consumer confidence, believing that if Americans would just start buying stuff again then the economy would bounce back
Privately, he knew that the economy was extremely unstable
Held multiple meetings with major business leaders trying to get them to keep all of their factories open, but to no avail

13. Hoover Turns to Volunteerism
Next, Hoover simply asked businesses not to cut jobs, wages, prices
At the same time, he asked govt to cut taxes, interest rates, and create jobs
Also asked that the wealthy give more $ to charity

14. Hoover Turns to Volunteerism
Hoover’s approach is known as rugged individualism
People should depend on themselves to improve their situation
Govt involvement should be minimal

15. Volunteerism Fails
Rugged Individualism asks businesses and the wealthy to cooperate, which they will not do
They will often follow their own self-interests

16. Hoover Gets More Active
Seeing his failures, Hoover used more government intervention
Hoover believed in the Trickle-down theory
If the wealthy or big businesses have $, that will create jobs

17. Government gives money to banks (Reconstruction Finance Corporation)
Trickle Down Theory
Government gives money to banks (Reconstruction Finance Corporation)
Banks will give loans to businesses. These loans will be used to hire more employees, prevent prices from rising
As businesses are able to hire employees and keep prices low, the masses have buying power. This enriches business and revives the economy

18. Emergency Relief and Construction Act
Hoover approved spending on public works projects and an additional spending to provide “direct relief”
Still, efforts were too small to stimulate economic growth
It created the Reconstruction Finance Corporation which released funds for public works projects across the country. The Brooklyn Navy Yardreceived an allotment of $880,000, marked for specific projects such as $215,000 for repairs and the maintenance of roofs, waterfront quays and docks, and Yard's railroad system. The biggest chunk, $855,000, was designated for a major overhaul of the power plant, to put in a new turbo generator, piping, boilers, and other engines.

19. Americans Protest Hoover’s Policies
Socialism/Communism were on the rise
Some saw Communist economics as being more stable
Despite their growth, none came close to replacing capitalism

20. Americans Protest Hoover’s Policies
Bonus Army: Group of WWI veterans seeking a bonus that Congress promised to them
Vets wanted the bonus early
Hoover would not allow it, Bonus Army camped out in DC
In 1924, Congress had promised to pay every American WWI Vet a $1000 service bonus in 1945
In May 1932, over 150,000 WWI vets arrived in DC to lobby Congress to give the bonus earlier
Many of the Bonus army stayed in DC living in Hoovervilles
Hoover sent the actual Army to clear the Bonus Army out and then burned their camp

21. Americans Protest Hoover’s Policies
Hoover ordered the protestors to be dispersed
Gen MacArthur and the army forced the veterans out of DC using tear gas
This made Hoover look awful
Final nail in Hoover’s coffin.
In 1924, Congress had promised to pay every American WWI Vet a $1000 service bonus in 1945
In May 1932, over 150,000 WWI vets arrived in DC to lobby Congress to give the bonus earlier
Many of the Bonus army stayed in DC living in Hoovervilles
Hoover sent the actual Army to clear the Bonus Army out and then burned their camp