1. In the book, Esperanza Rising, there are many things going on! For instance, the story takes place in Mexico and the United States, in the 1930s. This is also during the time of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the Mexican Revolution. Let’s explore this time period and events together! Mrs. Thornton 2011

2. It was from 1929 to the early 1940s The official beginning of the Great Depression was on: Tuesday, October 29, 1929, the day the stock market crashed Millions of Americans were out of work and in poverty How do you think people felt during this time? The Great Depression was anything BUT great. Here are some facts about the Great Depression. Mrs. Thornton 2011

3. I’m still confused. What do you mean a “stock market crash”???? And, why would a stock market crash help create the Great Depression???? Mrs. Thornton 2011 “Stocks” are pieces of a company that anyone can purchase for a price. So, you can own part of a company by buying that company’s stock. When the stock market “crashed” companies were not making money, and people that owned stocks became scared. People panicked and sold their stocks, and even tried to take their money out of the banks. This panic and loss of money is what started the Great Depression.

4. Mrs. Thornton 2011 People crowding around the New York Stock Exchange after the Stock Market Crash in 1929.

5. Here are some images of the Great Depression. People would travel to different towns looking for work and food. This sign is telling men looking for work, to leave their town. People are waiting in line for food. It’s a sad picture because the billboard behind them is showing happy Americans, but really most people are sad and hungry. Mrs. Thornton 2011

6. Here are some images of the Great Depression. These men are trying to find jobs by advertising with signs as they walk around town. These people are in a bank trying to get money from their accounts. During the Depression banks did not have enough money to give. Mrs. Thornton 2011

7. School Tube Video on The Great Depression This video is a combination of images from the Depression, and narrated by middle school students. Riding the Rails: Teens During the Depression This is a looonnngg video about teenagers during the Depression. Only watch the first 10 minutes. Mrs. Thornton 2011

8. Click Here: About the Dust BowlAbout the Dust Bowl Mrs. Thornton 2011

9. As we read through that website we learned a lot about the Dust Bowl. - The Dust Bowl started in 1930s and lasted about a decade - People that lived on the plains faced droughts, wind storms, and agricultural devastation ( that meant that crops and plants would not grow) - Poor farming practices and years of continuous drought (not enough water) caused this problem - Author John Steinbeck wrote about the Dust Bowl in his novel, The Grapes of Wrath Mrs. Thornton 2011

10. Here are some images of the Dust Bowl.

11. PBS Presents: Surviving the Dust Bowl This is a wonderful video with lots of information from people that lived through the experience. (Watch the first 11 minutes) How did the Dust Bowl affect people? Were the Plains always dusty and dangerous? What was the main crop that was planted there? How did tractors transform farming? Mrs. Thornton 2011

12. In a nutshell… People were unhappy with the way the dictator, Porfirio Diaz was running the country. In 1911 a man named, Francisco I. Madero overthrew the dictator. Several men tried to take over being the dictator, or ruler of Mexico. Unfortunately, the Mexican people did not think these men were doing a good job. The people rebelled and fought against the government. The fighting and rebelling finally calmed down in 1920 when Alvaro Obregon became the president of Mexico. Mrs. Thornton 2011

13. Here are some images of the Mexican Revolution. Francisco I. Madero overthrew dictator Porfirio Diaz out of the government. Porfirio Diaz was not happy

14. Mrs. Thornton 2011 Here are some images of the Mexican Revolution. Children and families during the revolution. Mexican soldiers during the revolution.

15. February 4 and 5, 1911: First Battle of Bauche First Battle of Bauche February 7, 1911: Battle of Smelter ViewBattle of Smelter View March 6, 1911: Battle of Casas GrandesBattle of Casas Grandes April 9, 1911: Second Battle of BaucheSecond Battle of Bauche April 13, 1911: Battle of Agua PrietaBattle of Agua Prieta May 8 - 10, 1911: First Battle of JuárezFirst Battle of Juárez March 23, 1912: First Battle of RellanoFirst Battle of Rellano May 23, 1912: Second Battle of RellanoSecond Battle of Rellano February 9 - 18, 1913: Ten Tragic DaysTen Tragic Days March 13, 1913: Battle of NogalesBattle of Nogales April 17 - 18, 1913: Battle of Jonacatepec Battle of Jonacatepec April 23, 1913: Siege of Cuautla Siege of Cuautla September 25, 1913: Battle of Aviles Battle of Aviles September 29 - October 1, 1913: First Battle of TorreónFirst Battle of Torreón November 12, 1913: Second Battle of Juarez Second Battle of Juarez November 22 - 25, 1913: Battle of Tierra BlancaBattle of Tierra Blanca January 1 - 4, 1914: Battle of OjinagaBattle of Ojinaga March 22 - 26, 1914: Battle of Gómez Palacio Battle of Gómez Palacio March 26 - April 2, 1914: Second Battle of TorreónSecond Battle of Torreón April 21 - November 14, 1914: Veracruz IncidentVeracruz Incident June 23, 1914: Battle of ZacatecasBattle of Zacatecas April 4 - 10, 1915: First Battle of CelayaFirst Battle of Celaya April 13 - 15, 1915: Second Battle of Celaya Second Battle of Celaya End of April - June 3, 1915: Battle of LeónBattle of León January 10, 1916: Massacre at Santa IsabelMassacre at Santa Isabel March 8 - 9, 1916: Raid on Columbus, NMRaid on Columbus, NM June 21, 1916: Battle of CarrizalBattle of Carrizal July 16, 1916: Battle of TlayacapaBattle of Tlayacapa October 4, 1916: Battle of XochimilcoBattle of Xochimilco June 15 - 16, 1919: Third Battle of JuárezThird Battle of Juárez Mrs. Thornton 2011

17. Click here: Mexican Revolution HistoryMexican Revolution History This video provides an overview of the people involved in the Mexican Revolution. Great imagery and narration! Mrs. Thornton 2011