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USII.5d The Great Depression |
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The student will demonstrate knowledge of
the social, economic, and technological changes of the early twentieth
century by d) identifying the causes of the Great Depression, its impact on Americans, and the major features of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal. |
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What were the causes of the Great Depression? |
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The optimism of the 1920s concealed problems in the American economic system and attitudes about the role of government in controlling the economy. |
 Causes of the Great Depression • People over-speculated on stocks, using borrowed money that they could not repay when stock prices crashed. • The Federal Reserve failed to prevent the collapse of the banking system. • High tariffs strangled international trade. |
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How were the lives of Americans affected by the Great Depression? |
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The Great Depression had a widespread and severe impact on American life. |
 Impact on Americans • A large numbers of banks and businesses failed. • One-fourth of workers were without jobs. • Large numbers of people were hungry and homeless. • Farmers’ incomes fell to low levels. |
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What were the major features of the New Deal? |
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Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal used government programs to help the nation recover from the Depression. |
 Major features of the New Deal • Social Security • Federal work programs • Environmental improvement programs • Farm assistance programs • Increased rights for labor |