The Great Depression

Definition

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s, characterized by massive unemployment, a dramatic drop in consumer spending, and significant declines in industrial production. This period deeply impacted American society and culture, influencing literature and art as artists and writers sought to capture the struggles of everyday people during this tumultuous time.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The stock market crash of October 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression, wiping out millions of investors and shaking public confidence in the economy.
2. Banks failed in large numbers during this time, causing individuals to lose their savings and leading to further financial instability.
3. Cultural movements emerged as a response to the Great Depression, with writers and artists using their work to reflect societal challenges and advocate for change.
4. The Great Depression led to widespread migration, as many families left their homes in search of work, notably seen in the migration from the Dust Bowl region to California.
5. The impact of the Great Depression reshaped American government policy, leading to a greater role for federal intervention in the economy through programs designed to provide relief and recovery.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Depression affect American literature and art during the 1930s?
  • The Great Depression had a profound effect on American literature and art as many writers and artists focused on themes of struggle, resilience, and social injustice. Works from this era often depicted the harsh realities faced by ordinary people, showcasing their hardships and emotional turmoil. This creative response served not only as a reflection of society but also as a means to inspire hope and provoke thought about the future.
• Discuss how the New Deal programs aimed to address issues arising from the Great Depression and their impact on American society.
  • The New Deal programs were implemented to combat the economic challenges posed by the Great Depression by providing relief for the unemployed, recovery for businesses, and reform of financial systems. Initiatives like Social Security, public works projects, and banking reforms helped stabilize the economy while providing much-needed assistance to struggling Americans. These efforts transformed the relationship between government and citizens, establishing a precedent for federal involvement in economic welfare.
• Evaluate the long-term consequences of the Great Depression on American culture and its influence on future generations.
  • The long-term consequences of the Great Depression reshaped American culture significantly by instilling values of resilience, community support, and a critical view of capitalism. The experiences of hardship influenced subsequent generations' perspectives on government responsibility and social welfare policies. Moreover, literature and art from this era laid foundational themes for later movements, encouraging future artists and writers to tackle issues of inequality and injustice while promoting empathy for marginalized communities.

Related terms

Dust Bowl:

A severe drought that affected the Southern Plains of the United States during the 1930s, exacerbating the economic crisis by displacing thousands of farming families.

New Deal: A series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at economic recovery and social reform.

Unemployment: The state of being jobless, which soared during the Great Depression, with rates reaching nearly 25% at its peak in the United States.