The great depression / Lesson Plan

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Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand the causes and effects of the Great Depression and its impact on American society.

Materials and Prep

  • Pen and paper
  • Access to a computer or library for research
  • Optional: Relevant books or documentaries about the Great Depression

Activities

  1. Research and Create a Timeline

    Ask the student to research the key events of the Great Depression and create a timeline. They can use pen and paper or a computer to design the timeline. Encourage them to include important dates, events, and significant figures related to the Great Depression.

  2. Interview a Family Member or Elder

    Have the student interview a family member or an elderly person who lived during the Great Depression. They can prepare a set of questions beforehand, focusing on the person's experiences, challenges, and how their life was affected by the economic downturn. The student should take notes during the interview and later reflect on the impact of the Great Depression on individuals and families.

  3. Role Play Activity

    Divide the student into groups and assign each group a different role to play during the Great Depression. For example, one group can be a family struggling to find work and make ends meet, another group can be government officials trying to implement New Deal policies, and another group can be business owners facing bankruptcy. Encourage the students to research and understand their assigned roles, and then have them engage in a discussion or perform short skits to showcase the challenges and decisions faced by each group during this time.

Talking Points

  • The Great Depression was a severe economic downturn that lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s.

    "The Great Depression was a time of extreme hardship for many people in the United States. It began with the stock market crash in 1929 and led to widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic instability."

  • The causes of the Great Depression included stock market speculation, overproduction, and banking system failures.

    "The stock market crash of 1929 was triggered by excessive speculation, or buying stocks with borrowed money, which eventually led to a market collapse. Additionally, the overproduction of goods and agricultural products, coupled with a weak banking system, contributed to the economic crisis."

  • The New Deal was a series of government programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the effects of the Great Depression.

    "President Roosevelt introduced the New Deal to provide relief, recovery, and reform. The New Deal included programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Social Security Act, which aimed to create jobs, support the unemployed, and regulate the economy."

  • The Great Depression had a lasting impact on American society, leading to changes in government policies and increased government intervention in the economy.

    "The Great Depression reshaped the role of the government in the economy. It highlighted the need for social welfare programs and regulations to prevent future economic crises. The experience of the Great Depression influenced policies that still exist today, such as unemployment benefits and financial market regulations."