Name ______Period ______

The Great Depression

The Great Depression was not caused by one event or set of circumstances. During the presentation, give a brief description and effect of each cause.

Cause / Explanation/Summary / Effect
Drought/Boll Weevil/Dust Bowl
Over-borrowing
Stock Market Speculation and Crash of 1929
Bank Failures: Bank Run
Laissez-faire attitude
Reduction in Purchasing
Agricultural Overproduction
Industrial Overproduction

Name ______Period ______

How did World War I contribute to the Great Depression?

What is your interpretation of quote from Out of the Dust by Karen Hesse?

What was President Hoover’s response to The Great Depression?

In your opinion, did Hoover deserve the criticism and the ‘blame” for The Great Depression?

What was Hooverville and why was it given this name?

Name ______Period ______

House of Cards: As you watch the video, answer the questions below.

1.  What is a subprime loan?

2.  Why would lenders provide loans to “at-risk” borrowers?

3.  What did banks do with these loans?

4.  How is the housing market during the recession similar to stock market speculation?

5.  How did a change in American’s values/morals contribute to The Great Recession?
Use the information from the video and the statistics sheet to compare the recent recession to the Great Depression.

GREAT DEPRESSION GREAT RECESSION

Name ______Period ______

Song Lyric Activity

Listen/read the lyrics of “Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?” by Bing Crosby and answer the questions below.

What is the overall emotion and tone of the song? Explain.

What jobs are being referenced in the song?

What line is referencing an even in America’s history? To what event is it referring?

Would this song be useful to historians studying The Great Depression? Explain why or why not and how.

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, I 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?

What is this verse referring to? Explain in 2-3 complete sentences.


Song #2: “We’re in the Money”

How does the emotion and tone of this song differ from song #1?

What do you believe is the message and purpose of this song?

We’re in the Money was part of the film, Gold Digger in 1933. What is interesting about the message in comparison to the events of the year?