A Journey Through the Great Depression

Introduction

Welcome to your journey through the Great Depression. Yes, I know, totally Depressing! Over the course of two weeks you will explore the most significant economic disaster in world history. By completing various task and activities, you will gain a deeper understanding of the causes, effects, and key events and figures during this time of turmoil. Grab your bindle and soup can and get ready for hunger, deprivation, and a government to the rescue. You have nothing to fear but fear itself!

Objective: Gain an overview of the causes and characteristics of the Great Depression

Task

Task 1: Understanding the Great Depression

Task 2: The Stock Market Crash of 1929

Task 3: Life During the Great Depression

Task 4: Government Responses and Programs

Task 5: Impact and Legacy

Below are some resources to get you started on your journey:

Website: "The Great Depression: A Curriculum for High School Students" by the National Endowment for the Humanities Link: https://edsitement.neh.gov/curricula/great-depression-curriculum-high-school-students
Article: "The Great Depression" by History.com Link: https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression
Website: "Great Depression and World War II, 1929-1945" by the Library of Congress Link: https://www.loc.gov/teachers/classroommaterials/presentationsandactivities/presentations/timeline/depwwii/
Online Exhibit: "The Great Depression: America in the 1930s" by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Link: https://www.library.illinois.edu/defining-moments/exhibits/depression/
Video: "The Great Depression: Crash Course US History #33" by CrashCourse Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCQfMWAikyU

Process

Task 1: Understanding the Great Depression

Objective: Gain an overview of the causes and characteristics of the Great Depression.

Start your journey by reading the provided resources and answer the following questions:
1. What were the main causes of the Great Depression?
2. What were some of the notable characteristics of the Great Depression?
3. How did the Great Depression impact various sectors of society, such as industry, agriculture, and unemployment rates?

Task 2: The Stock Market Crash of 1929

Objective: Explore the stock market crash of 1929 and its significance in triggering the Great Depression.

Watch a video or read articles on the stock market crash of 1929.
Create a timeline of events leading up to the crash and its aftermath.
Write a brief summary explaining how the stock market crash contributed to the Great Depression.

Task 3: Life During the Great Depression

Objective: Examine the daily life experiences of people during the Great Depression.

Choose a specific group affected by the Great Depression (e.g., farmers, factory workers, children, women) and conduct research on their experiences.
Create a multimedia presentation (e.g., PowerPoint, Prezi) highlighting the challenges they faced and the strategies they employed to cope with the crisis.
Reflect on how the experiences of your chosen group compare to those of people today during economic hardships.

Task 4: Government Responses and Programs

Objective: Investigate the government's actions and initiatives to combat the effects of the Great Depression.

Research the major government responses and programs implemented during the Great Depression, such as the New Deal.
Create a poster or infographic summarizing the key components and impact of the New Deal.
Discuss whether you think similar measures could be effective during economic crises today.

Task 5: Impact and Legacy

Objective: Evaluate the lasting impact and legacy of the Great Depression.

Read articles or watch videos about the long-term consequences of the Great Depression.
Create a short essay or blog post discussing the social, economic, and political changes that emerged as a result of the Great Depression.
Reflect on the lessons learned from the Great Depression and how they can inform present and future economic policies.

Evaluation

Score	Criteria
3	Student demonstrated an in depth understanding of the causes and characteristics of the Great Depression Student demonstrated an in depth understanding of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 Student demonstrated an in depth understanding of the day-to-day life of a cross-section of American society during the Depression Student presented a broad and detailed examination of the Government's response to the Depression Student provided an analytical evaluation of the impact and legacy of the Great Depression
2	Student demonstrated an understanding of the causes and characteristics of the Great Depression Student demonstrated an understanding of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 Student demonstrated an understanding of the day-to-day life of a cross-section of American society during the Depression Student presented an examination in some detail of the Government's response to the Depression Student provided a mostly descriptive evaluation of the impact and legacy of the Great Depression
1	Student demonstrated little depth of understanding of the causes and characteristics of the Great Depression Student demonstrated little depth of understanding of the Stock Market Crash of 1929 Student demonstrated little depth of understanding of the day-to-day life of a cross-section of American society during the Depression Student presented a minimal examination of the Government's response to the Depression Student provided an entirely descriptive evaluation of the impact and legacy of the Great Depression

Conclusion

Congratulations! You survived the Great Depression! By exploring the causes, effects, and key events of the Great Depression, you have gained valuable insights into this significant historical period.

For the final part of your assignment you will choose one image and argue that this image encapsulates the entirety of the Great Depression (I know, not easy). Your argument of how this image reflects the Great Depression will be your final reflection on the topic.