THE GREAT DEPRESSION

The decade of the 1930s was characterized by one of the largest recessions in American history. This recession, dubbed the Great Depression, was characterized by mass unemployment, homelessness, farm foreclosures, bank failures, halted production of industry, and general hopelessness among millions of Americans who wandered the streets searching for work. While there were multiple causes of the Great Depression, the stock market collapse of October 29, 1929 stifled economic activity and led thousands of American banks into failure. Industries halted production, which in turn, led to mass unemployment. President Herbert Hoover sought to address the failing economy by providing loans to banks, corporations, and railroads and also authorized the government to buy up agricultural surplus to aid farmers, but Hoover's efforts were limited by his conservative views. Hoover refused to provide direct relief to American citizens who were starving and unemployed. By 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt offered Americans a New Deal, a program of government experimentation and reform to revive the economy and prevent future economic collapses.

The election of 1932 ended more than a decade of Republican administrations and initiated a major realignment in American politics. With his New Deal coalition, Roosevelt attracted support from farmers, immigrants, industrial workers, former Progressives, African Americans, and women. Roosevelt's first 100 days signified massive government experimentation and an increased government role in the economy. His willingness to provide direct relief to 4-5 million Americans who needed it most gave many struggling Americans a sense of hope and restored confidence. Roosevelt's New Deal, however, was not without its critics. Conservatives branded the New Deal as "sweeping Socialism" and argued that government relief made people lazy and dependent.

Learning Objectives:

Through the examination of the primary and secondary sources readings, lecture topics, and assignments, students will be able to address the following:

Understand the characteristic of the Great Depression according to race, class, gender, and regional variations.
Gain a deeper understanding of how President Roosevelt addressed failures in the American economy and achieved economic recovery.
Examine how Roosevelt aided multiple sectors of society while restoring Americans' faith in government.
Understand the limitations of the New Deal and why the New Deal neglected many Americans.
Assess the strengths and weaknesses of the New Deal and explain why some Americans opposed the New Deal.

Reading Assignment

U.S. History, Chapters 24,25, and 26

Major Problems, chapter 8, selected documents and one essay

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