October 29, 1929; the day the stock market crashed

Causes of the Great Depression

Economic hard times that lasted from 1929-1940s

When depositors rushed to their banks to withdraw all of their savings

Set up by private charities and churches to offer free food to the unemployed

Presented the American people with a New Deal to solve the problems of the Great Depression, former governor of NY. People felt he wanted to take immediate action to help them.

FDR's first 100 days in office; first action was to close all banks on a "bank holiday," sent dozens of New Deal bills to Congress to help the economy and the unemployed

The 30 speeches that FDR gave while in office to keep the American people updated about the progress of the New Deal

Gave public works jobs to young unmarried men ($1 per day) to build parks, plant trees, dig drainage ditches - physical work

Put jobless to work building hospitals,schools, parks, and airports (laboreres, architects, engineers, artists)

Set standards in wages, production, and prices

Asked farmers to reduce production and destroy surplus crops/livestock so prices of their crops and livestock would rise

Gave jobs rebuilding the Tennessee Valley; brought flood relief and hydroelectric power to the area

Provided insurance on bank accounts up to $100,000 ($250,000 today)- still around today

FDR's plan to "pack" the Supreme Court with supportive justices to keep his New Deal programs from being declared unconstitutional

provides disability insurance, unemployment insurance, and pensions for the elderly -still around today

Area of Great Plains hit hard by environmental (drought/dust storms) and economic crisis (falling crop prices/farm foreclosures) that worsened the Depression for people in the Great Plains region.

people went to the movies, read books and listened to the radio

Regulates the Stock Market and the purchase of stocks to prevent another crash -still around today

Gave money and supplies to states to give to those in need immediately

FDR closed all banks for inspection. Only those with money and wise leadership could reopen so people would again trust the banks.

Falling crop and livestock prices, that led to over-farming combined with a long period of drought and high winds which blew away the topsoil making farming nearly impossible on the Great Plains

Shantytowns built of scraps of wood, cardboard, and tarpaper - housed the newly homeless

some felt the government was exerting too much control over the economy, some felt the government should exert more control over the economy

The role of the federal government is to assume greater responsibility for the nation's economy and for the well-being of all citizens.

President when the Great Depression began (not his fault). Provided relief to businesses but not to individuals. Seen as cold and indifferent.

Thousands of people died, 2.5 million people left the Great Plains and moved to California and other west coast states to find jobs