The Depression J-A11

On October 29, 1929, the New York Stock market crashed and heralded the onset of the Great Depression. It has been estimated that between twelve to fifteen million workers were unemployed by 1933. What were conditions really like in the cities? What problems did the farmers face? How was the discontent of the nation manifested?

In a format designed for both personal knowledge and classroom participation, this Jackdaw puts the evidence directly in the reader’s hands. Through the use of historical documents — newspapers, pictures, flyers, posters, etc. — the reader can sense the feelings of fear, discouragement, futility and anger as the people attempted to survive the black days of the Depression. Historian: Andrew Bronin. The contents of this Jackdaw feature:

Broadsheets

• The Crash
• Depression in Urban America
• Depression in Rural America
• Protest and Discontent
• Impact of the Depression

Historical Documents

• Page 1 of Variety, Wednesday, October 30, 1929.
• The Depression: A Family Album.
• Sign: Unemployed - Buy Apples 5 Each.
• Depression Scrip.
• A&P Advertising Flyers, 1933.
• Auction Sale poster for farm equipment, North Dakota, 1933.
• Page 1 of The Emporia Gazette, May 11, 1934.
• Photo Sequence: A Texas Dust Storm.
• Page 1 of The Daily Worker, Monday, January 27, 1930.
• Broadside: “Veterans March to Washington,” 1932.
• Campaign flyer: “Closing-Out Sale of the G.O.P. Party,” 1932.
• Poster: NRA - We Do Our Part.

Study Guide / Lesson Plan – Reproducible Activities