Terms to Know:

Episode 9: Bust
Before or after watching this episode,
Introduction
encourage students to define and
review the terms below. Students
In October 1929, Wall Street crashes; the American Dream is in doubt
may also want to make their own
as economic turmoil ensues. The crash coincides with the start of
lists of new vocabulary words and
the Great Depression. Unemployment rises sharply and as confidence
identification terms as they watch.
in U.S. banks disintegrates, bank closures sweep the nation. On
the Great Plains, economic difficulties are compounded by natural
Adversary disaster.
Aspiration
Astronomical Years of intensive plowing and severe drought dry out the land. Vast
Consumer dust storms fill the skies and drive people west during the Dust Bowl.
Emblematic Inaugurated in the depths of the Depression in 1933, new President
Foreclosure Franklin D. Roosevelt starts to turn things around. The New Deal
Immortalized and public works projects help save America from despair and
Mesmerizing destitution.
Resilience

The construction of the Hoover Dam and Mount Rushmore employ

thousands of people and signal recovery and hope for the future.
However, world conflict is brewing in Europe – brought home to
Americans by the symbolic boxing match between Joe Louis and
Max Schmeling. World War II looms on the horizon as the Nazi Party
America The Story of Us is useful for American gains power.
History, Social Studies, and Media courses. It is
appropriate for 7th grade students and above,
and is an excellent resource for professional
development.
Discussion Questions:
1. W
 hat was the “bank run” of 1930 and what are some of the reasons it happened?
What were the effects of the bank crisis in the U.S. on international politics?

2. H
 ow would you describe Frank Crowe? What were some of the innovations that
made the construction of the Hoover Dam possible?

3. W
 hat was the significance of the construction of the Hoover Dam and Mount
Rushmore? How did these projects affect the U.S. economy?

4. W
 hy did the Dust Bowl take place? Looking back now, do you think it could
have been prevented?

5. W
 hy were the boxing matches between Joe Louis and Max Schmeling such
big stories internationally?

America The STory of Us Episode 9: Bust 2

Primary Source:

©2010 A&E Television Networks, LLC. All rights reserved. 01601.

During the Great Depression, children throughout the U.S. wrote
letters to President Roosevelt and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.
The letter below is an example of one letter written by a child
affected by the Depression. To see more letters such as these
see: Cohen, Robert, editor. Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: Letters from
Children of the Great Depression (University of North Carolina
Press, 2002).

souri
Sikeston, Mis
1938
Januar y 20,
Further Explorations:

osevelt, in my
Dear Mrs. Ro e s th at yo u w ill answer What else was going on during this time period?
h op
this letter in
Explore the sites below to learn more about the
I am writing ost a
era of U.S. history covered in this episode.
favor. b e d fr om a stroke for alm
C. has been in works but ma
kes $3.00
My father H.
Learn about the Harlem Renaissance which
m y b ro th e r took place in the 1930s
no money an d
year. We have r family.
www.biography.com/blackhistory/

n d th e re ar e eight in ou d I tr y to help
her. harlem-renaissance.jsp
a week a od to m e a n
er is very go r six or eight
blocks
My step-moth I ha ve to w a lk fo Background on the New Deal from the Library
washings an d ning
to go of a mor
of Congress
She takes in h om e. I h ave
gs u could sen d
www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/newdeal
y the washin ld here. If yo
an d then carr e e n ve ry co all
an d it has b s for her I sh
Learn about the 1936 Berlin Olympics and the
before scho ol I go af te r w a sh in g rise of the Nazi Party
to ri de when
me a bicycle
www.ushmm.org/museum/exhibit/online/
d to make
work very har
olympics and
appreciate it. sc h o ol a n d www.history.com/topics/nazi-party
h gra de at o of my
I am in eight l of th e sc ho ol bought tw
s. The Princip
a stay
ld not have to
Read about the famous murals by Mexican
passing gra de ippers so w e w ou American artist Diego Rivera
e a pair of sl all be able to
help
sisters an d m I sh http://www.biography.com/articles/Diego-
is fo r m e
u would do th like a g irls Rivera-9459446
at home. If yo u se n d m e one I would
er more. If yo n d me one
my step-moth 3 in ch e s ta ll so if you se Places to Visit:
about 4 feet
bicycle. I am size. Interested in what you saw in this episode?
e as to what
you can ju dg
Visiting historic sites is a great way for teachers,
students, and families to learn more about the
preciating-
Loving an d ap
past. Explore these historic sites, or look for
local historic sites in your town or city to visit.
A. L. C.
The Hoover Dam
www.usbr.gov/lc/hooverdam

Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Discussion Questions: www.mtrushmorenationalmemorial.com

The Franklin Roosevelt Presidential Library

1. W
 hat does the child in this letter ask for, and why does she say and Museum
www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu
her family is in need? What does this letter reveal about the
ways families were affected by the Great Depression?

2. T
 his is just one of thousands of letters written to President and
Mrs. Roosevelt. Why do you think so many Americans thought
the Roosevelts could help them? Do you think this would be
true of all Presidents and First Ladies?

America The STory of Us Episode 9: Bust 3