Summary
In the 1930s, the United States experienced the worst economic crisis in history. A 1929 stock market crash was followed by a banking crisis. Employment plummeted, and millions of people lost their jobs and their homes. At the same time, a terrible drought transformed the nation's breadbasket into the Dust Bowl. Hundreds of thousands of farmers hit the road, heading to California in search of work. The locals resented the "Okies," whom they now had to compete with for jobs. Americans blamed President Herbert Hoover for the devastation, so he was defeated in a landslide in the 1932 election, by Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt launched the New Deal, a series of programs that changed the country in ways that still shape the country today. Press "play" to learn about life during this tough time.
Viewer safety
Our rating is a quick teacher-to-teacher guide — preview before showing.
Teaching resources
Discussion questions
A few questions to talk through after watching Great Depression:
- What is one new thing you learned about great depression?
- Can you explain it to a partner in your own words?
- Where might you see this in the real world?
- What is one question you still have?
Quick work-a-long
Try it:
- Write one sentence explaining great depression.
- Draw or give one example of your own.