THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Question 1

WHAT WAS THE GREAT DEPRESSION

Answer 1

• The Great Depression was a severe and prolonged economic downturn that began in the United States in 1929 to 1939
• Triggered by the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, also known as Black Tuesday. Stock prices fell sharply, causing widespread panic and leading to a wave of bank failures and business closures.

Question 2

SOCIAL

Answer 2

• Homelessness: Many peoplelose their homes and become homeless.
• “Hoovervilles,”which ismakeshift shelters made from cardboard, tin, and other materials.
• Widespread poverty and hunger and relied on government relief programs or private charities to survive.
• Raise in crime rates, deaths from malnutrition and suicide

Question 3

TECHNOLOGICAL

Answer 3

• Public works projects commenced to stimulate the economy and create jobs
• 1936: Lincoln Tunnel - massive tunnel under the Hudson River connecting New Jersey and Manhattan

Question 4

ECONOMIC

Answer 4

• International trade and loans collapsed - domino effect on the global economy, e.g Australia, Germany, and Britain.
• 1933 - unemployment at 25%, (America):
• GDP shrank from $105 billion to $57 2 billion in 5 years.
• Prohibition ended - a tax on alcohol helped pay for socioeconomic programs

Question 5

ENVIROMENTAL

Answer 5

• Overproduction in the 1920s led to worsening soil erosion and land degradation on farms.
• When the Great Depression hit, farms were abandoned, leaving a deserted wasteland behind.

Question 6

POLITICAL

Answer 6

• Republican President Hoover’s laissez-faire approach was widely unpopular.
• 1932 presidential election - Hoover was defeated by Roosevelt.
• Roosevelt’s election promise was a ‘New Deal’ - a financial plan to get America out of the Depression.