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Prior to the Depression, the 1920s were a fast-paced
decade of fortunes, alcohol and parties. Take a look
back at the “Roaring Twenties.”
Catalog ID: 499349, 317768 |
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All good things must come to an end. The United States’
bubble burst on October 24, 1929 when the stock market
crashed. Millions of dollars were lost as people
panicked and tried to sell their stocks.
Catalog ID: 499349, 312306, 494633 |
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Many people lost everything they owned after “The Great
Crash.” The number of homeless citizens skyrocketed as
jobs disappeared. People slept on benches and survived
thanks to breadlines and soup kitchens.
Catalog ID: 500454, 503527, 502970 |
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Some people traveled the country by hitching a ride on
trains. Hobos hopped the rails and lived in shanty towns
which sprung up at the edges of major cities.
Catalog ID: 503528, 507605, 53668 |
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Broke and unemployed World War I veterans marched on
Washington in 1932 to ask Congress for the bonus money
they were promised after the war. Fearing public
disorder, President Hoover ordered the Army into action.
Troops broke up and burned the Bonus Army’s camp.
Catalog ID: 507153, 507105 |
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Even the environment contributed to the Great
Depression’s severity. A drought dried out the farmland
of the Plains, making it the Dust Bowl. “Okies” lost their
farms and were forced to migrate to places like
California.
Catalog ID: 499045, 319642 |
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The effects of the Crash rippled through other nations’
economies, too. Many people became destitute. Take a
look at conditions in Paris.
Catalog ID: 492813 |
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President Herbert Hoover did not believe in using strong
centralized government to combat Depression conditions.
Eventually the public lost confidence in Hoover’s
administration.
Catalog ID: 507610, 494633 |
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“…The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” With
these words, President Franklin D. Roosevelt set the
stage for decisive action to bring the United States out
of the Depression.
Catalog ID: 437368 |
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President Roosevelt did not waste time setting up
recovery programs. The National Recovery Act helped put
people back to work with programs such as the NRA, CCC
and TVA.
Catalog ID: 503527, 491361 |
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The Civilian Conservation Corps replenished depleted
forests and provided much-needed jobs.
Catalog ID: 501236, 52951 |
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The Tennessee Valley Authority improved the farmer’s way
of life with electricity and helped bring more industry
to one of the country’s poorest regions.
Catalog ID: 503452 |
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Hoover Dam became a testament of America’s ability to
design and construct enormous projects in the midst of
economic catastrophe. It came to be known as one of
America’s seven modern civil engineering wonders.
Catalog ID: 491684, 53415 |
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Even when they were out of work, people still looked to
be entertained.
Catalog ID: 494632 |
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