America & Abroad

Discussion Question
–
™ With your partner, discuss what was one major
difference/advantage that the United States had over
the rest of the Europe following World War I?
 The Roaring 20’s
–
™  America Flying High!
–  They are untouched by
ravages of WWI.

™  Industry booming

™  Consumerism at all time

high.
–  Cars, movies, new
inventions

™  US becomes wealthiest
nation in the world
The Dawes Plan
–
™ 1924

™ Attempt to solve
WWI reparations
problem for
Germany.

™ USA loans money to

Germany.
 The Crash!
–
™ Black Tuesday
–  October 29, 1929
–  Day the stock market
completely collapses

™ Banks close across

country.

™ Consumer spending/
investment drops.
 Discussion
–
™ Why do you think so few people saw the crash
coming?

™ What do you think your life would be like today, if

the crash happened now?
Impact on the USA
–
Economic, Social, and Political
 Economic Impact
–
™ Unemployment
soars to 25%

™ Industrial
Production
declines 47%

™ International trade
declines by 30%
Social Impact
–
™ Disruption of
families.

™ Thousands live in
“Hoovervilles”

™ Dust Bowl sends

thousands West.
 Soup Line

Small Shack for family

 Cloud of dust
descending on small
town in Kansas 1935.

Buried machinery

“Oakies” on way to California

Political Impact
–
President Hoover
•  President at start of the
Depression.

•  Created and built Hoover Dam

during the Depression

•  Many blamed him for the

Depression

•  Hoovervilles named after him

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
aka F.D.R.
•  32nd President of USA

•  Elected 1932

•  Serves 4 terms as US
President

•  Passes New Deal

Programs to help people
during the Depression.
New Deal Programs
–
™ Programs focus on 3
R’s
–  Relief, Recovery,
Reform

™ Works Projects
Administration

™ 1935 Social Security

Act
 Discussion
–
™ With your partner discuss:
–  3 things that stood out to you about the Depression in
America.
™  Why?

™ How do you think the Great Depression in America

might affect the rest of the world? Why?
Impact Around the World
–
 Germany
–
™  Germany had just
started to recover
from hyperinflation
when crash hit.

™  Dawes Plan cancelled.

™  42% decline in
industrial production

™  Nazi’s start to gain

more power as people
criticize existing govt.
Britain
–
™ Still trying to
recover from WWI

™ Industrial Centers
hit hardest.

™ Unemployment
doubles by 1930
 Russia
–
™ Not tied to world
economy because
they’re communist

™ Growth of communist
parties globally

™ Grain exports increase

but make less money
France
–
™ Still recovering from
WWI

™ Economy structured
differently so not hit as
hard by the Crash.

™ No major damage, but

no major growth either.
General
–
™ International trade
down 50%

™ High tariffs
discourage
international trade

™ Many countries
begin to embrace
militaristic/
totalitarian govt’s.