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The Start
August 1929 is considered the start of the Great Depression, but the declining economy was ignored until the Stock Market crash. -
Stock Market Crash
The stock market crashed on the 29th in October, as investors moved millions of stocks around. This is when the declining economy was really felt, and the Great Depression was in full swing. -
Period: to
The Great Depression
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The Dust Bowl
As farmers became more agriculturally aware, they stopped using livestock, and started using crops. The only problem was that the Great Plains were under a severe drought, and the plowing the farmers did destroyed the topsoil. This created giant sandstorms that sweeped across the Great Plains area. -
"Sand Storm" by Agnes Pelton
Agnes Pelton painted the "Sand Storm". This painting represents the Dust Bowl. But, the rainbow created inside the painting speaks of Pelton's hope. -
Hard Times
The gross national product falls to be the lowest the United States has ever seen. The unemployment rate rises above 20%, and tax is increased about two-fold. Also, the sand storms continue in the Great Plains. -
President Franklin Roosevelt
Franklin Roosevelt won the election in a landslide against Herbert Hoover. -
The year of 1933
This year is when President Roosevelt takes office, and signs the Federal Relief Administration, the National Recovery Administration, and many more. GNP (gross national product) only dips slightly, and unemployment only rises about 2%. -
"Depression Bread Lines" by George Segal
Although George Segal's "Depression Bread Lines" did not come into existance until 1991, it can be related to the year of 1933. This is because unemployment was at it's lowest in years, and many people could not afford to feed their families. This meant that people had to stand in bread lines to receive help. -
Year of 1934
The GNP rises to around 7.7% and unemployment falls to around 20%. Congress also passes three different commissions. -
Year of 1935
The Social Security Act is passed, along with the National Labor Relations Act and many others. GNP grows around 8%, and unemployment falls a little more to around 19.5%. -
1936
Tax rates are raised to 79%. GNP grows 14%, and unemployment falls to 16%. -
Year of 1937
GNP rises 5% and unemployment falls to 14%. But, the public becomes angry at President Roosevelt for trying to enlarge the Supreme Court. -
Year of 1938
Roosevelt now has weakened political power and GNP falls around 4%. Unemployment also rises around to about 19%. -
"The Tree" by Helen Lundeburg
The right side of "The Tree" by Helen Lundeburg represents the desolation and the unique dystopia that occured during the Great Depression. The left side of the art work represents the hope for a better time that the artists believes is right around the corner, so to speak. -
Year of 1939
The United States borrows one billion dollars to help the military prepare for war. This is also the year in which manufacturing rises around 50%. The depression is considered over as the United States goes to battle in World War 1. Hitler attacks Poland.
