1930s

The 1930's. The Depression Era and The New Deal. Jack Gallagher and Mike Buettner

1. American Identity: How did this decade address what it means to be an American?

The 1930's represented an important era in the contribution to Americanism. People began to persecute Communists because of their enormous differences from Americans. For example, in 1930, the New York Police Comissioner gave New York business owners a "black list of [suspected] communists" (3) Another significant fact was the fact that although it was the era of the Great Depression, many businessmen were still able to thrive in the American economy. In 1930, 513 people were listed as millionaires. (3) One of the most memorable pieces of information is that of the national anthem. In 1931, President Herbert Hoover passed an act that made "The Star Spangled Banner" our nations official and legal national anthem. (3) Another way an American is unique is that an American has the right to speak their mind by means of a strike. July 16th, 1934 marked the first general strike in United States history that supported 12,000 members of the Internationl Longshoreman's Association. (3) The hardships faced during the 1930's (namely the Great Depression) created a bond forged by overcoming these economic hurdles. Hence, after the 30's, they instituted the draft which claimed the participation of 17 million young American citizens. This draft showed a sense of patriotism in the men that signed up to serve for their country. In conclusion, the 1930's marked a definitive and unforgettable turning point in the definition of American. (3)

2. American Diversity: What were the stories of people from different ethnic backgrounds?

During the 1930's, the Nationalsozialistische Deutsche Arbeiterpartei (known in English as the Nazi party) began to take power in Germany. In 1933, Adolf Hitler was appointed High Chancellor of Germany. In 1938, the Nazis began sending Jewish "suspects" to concentration camps. This caused international panic and many German citizens to flee to the Americas. The frightening portion of 1930's history is that the United States, Cuba, and Canada refused to accept the fleeing Jewish victims of the beginning of their persectution. This happened especially in the case of the SS St. Louis; a ship desperately trying to escape Nazi Germany, but who was denied asylum in all their prospective countries in the Amercas. The ship had to eventually turn around and go back to Germany, for lack of any other place to go. This led to the suicide of many Jewish people at the prospect of being shipped back to the hell that they had so desperately tried to escape. This all occurred in the early months of 1939 (10) In India, the population saw the United States' fight for independence and were therefore inspired to march for their own independence from the ever-looming British crown. This effort, spearheaded by the strictly non-violent Mohandas Ghandi, was radical compared to the United States' military approach to freedom. This non-violent taactic eventually succeeded and led to the independence of India in 1930. (10)

3. Culture: How did the era contribute to American Culture?



Although the 30's began an age of great economic depression, there were many images and happenings that contributed forevermore to the Americanized culture. Beginning in 1930, there were huge steps made in art, music, media, and culture that undoubtedly contributed greatly. For example, during the 1930's, the now vastly popular Mickey Mouse was first circulated as a character in a cartoon comic strip. In the category of art, the famous painting "American Gothic" was painted by Grant Wood (shown above). Baseball is widely referred to as "America's Pastime". During the 30's Babe Ruth became an American baseball hero; eventually having a higher yearly salary than the President himself. Another "hero" of American culture was John Wayne. During the 30's John Wayne was seen as a highly romanticized action hero; riding from town-to-town on horseback, rescuing damsels, and fighting off hordes of indians. He starred in films during the 30's. Another economic figure of the 30's came to fruition, specifically, it was constructed. The empire state building (then the largest structure in the world) was built in New York City. The automobiles at General Motors boomed, offering tens of thousands of jobs that helped combat the Great Depression. (3)

More images of the 1930's: media type="youtube" key="pgR2Buke5MQ" height="344" width="425"

4. Economic Transformations: What economic circumstances helped or hurt America?

After the 1930's, due to the Great Depression and mass poverty, it became equivocally clear that Americans needed to band together and provide for the common good. In addition, the Great Depression also created a sense of community. This sense of community stemmed from the American citizens struggling through hardships caused by the Great Depression. The hardships began on what is referred to as "Black Tuesday". October 29th, 1929 was considered widely to be when the depression tightened its chokehold on the United States. On this "Black Tuesday" the stock market completely crashed. This crash caused all the paper values of stock to be decreased by 40%, and many Americans completely lost their entire life savings. At the end of 1933, stock values had dropped to less than 20% of their original value. The income that was usually produced by farming was halved. At the end of 1932, only 75 percent of previously employed worker still had jobs. These economic circumstances were a detriment to the United States economy, and were unforgettable hardships in American history. (2)

5. Religion: How did religious beliefs shape the period?

During the 1930's America became a country focused on making life better. After the end of prohibition and the on-set of the Great Depression a gap was left in the way culture and the overall morality of the decade would develop. Climbing suicide rates and a floundering economy left people uncertain about their futures, giving religious attendance experienced a considerable increase. With the spread of radio people like Father Charles Coughlin preached redemption and the afterlife into the home causes an overall "grinding" effect into the populations mind. Due to a rise in propaganda and attendance, the country now had a firm siding with faith. This was very much unlike the preceding 20's whose liberal ideals and overall "roaring" attitude would lead to the more pious, modest life of the 1930's. With these ideas Americans become extremely reserved labeling things like social dances an outlet for inevitable temptation and sin. The changes brought on by the Great Depression brought religion into the spotlight and sent a wave of purity across the nation. Things like dances that had been so popular in the 1920's were now seen as risque or even sinful and became an almost underground activity. It is in this way that religion truly separates the 1930's as a decade as a new wave of purity and religion overwhelms the country in a troubled time. (5)

6. Politics and Citizenship: How did political leadership contribute to the period and what was its impact on the citizens? Political Turmoil... different plans for dealing with depression. Radical ideas vs. safe ideas.

Political leadership of the time was very different to the norm with the effects of President Roosevelts "New Deal". This new idea in government was focused primarily on the american worker, creating a new sense of security throughout. With the new deal new ideas were brought to light. In January of 1932 Hattie Conaway of Arkansas is the first woman elected to the U.S. congress. In December of 1935 the National Council of Negro Women is born. And in April of 1935 a strong opposer of the new deal, William E. Borah demands funding of new deal acts to going towards the manufacturing of munitions and warships to cease. So clearly, altough heavily supported, the new deal was equally opposed. President Franklin D. Roosevelt created a domestic reform program cleverly labeled the "New Deal". The new deal consisted of two phases. Phase one was aimed at providing recovery from the great depression in the form of agricultural and business regulation, preventing inflation, public works improvent, and price stabilization. To support these ideas Congress established a slew of new organizations. The NRA, FDIC, AAA, Civil Conservation Corps, and Public Works Administration are among a few. With these new organizations Congress also reformed numerous existing projects. Phase two of the new deal lasted from 1935 until 1941. It was aimed at social and economic legistlation to benefit mass of workers in the country. One of the most important developments was the establishing of the Social Security System in 1935. However, in 1936 the AAA and NRA are abolished by congress. An attempt is made by FDR to reorganize the Supreme Court as well yet he is shut down. Although an excellent idea FDR's administration felt much heat over the new deal due to cries of it being a failed endeavor and unconstitutional. Yet, the new deal is for the most part a sucess and FDR sets the new precedent for the leadership required to be the President of the United States in times of turmoil. (6)

7. Globalization: How did America move closer to globalization?

During the 1930's American takes a huge step back in the sense of globalization. When a counrty is in trouble economicaly it becomes far to easy to blame the ones it trades with. It is for this reason Americans become Isolationists, relying on their own resources to get by and limiting trade to foriegn nations. This in effect hurt the economy more and led to even less spending as these goods became harder and harder to produce due to a loss in the workforce. With the idea of isolationism during the late 1930's America also becomes completely uninvolved in foriegn relations. Hearing the cries of its European allies due to the newly reformed military strength of Germany and Italy and much to their disdane ignores the call as World War 2 is brewing an ocean away. It isnt until the 1940's when Americans will resume more free outside trade and take a step towards globalization. Yet for now America is on her own. (4)

Multiple Choice Questions: 1. Which of the following organization had members that led America's first general strike during the 1930's? A) Women's Suffrage Association B) Smith & Wesson firearms C) International Longshoremans Association D) National Association for the Advancement of Colored People

2. During the 30's, which of the following positions was held by Adolf Hitler? A) President B) Four Star General C) Master Chief D) High Chancellor

3. What was "Black Tuesday" ? A) A tuesday in Germany where Jewish shop windows were broken and stores ransacked B) A tuesday in France that represented the Armistace peace treaty C) A tuesday in America that marked the first day of an economic depression D) A tuesday in Arizona where Abraham Lincoln made Native Americans walk thousands of miles in the desert sand

4. Where was the Empire State Building built during the 1930's? A) New York B) Detroit C) Cleveland D) Oakland

5. Which President proposed the "New Deal" ? A) Roosevelt B) Lincoln C) Grant D) Kennedy

Essay Question: Were the 1930's a positive influence on the future of the United States? Explain using facts and arguments from all 7 sections listed above.

(1) [] (2) [] (3) [] (4) [] (5) http://my.ilstu.edu/~lmerri/uhigh/The%20Beauty%20and%20Tragedy%20of%20the%201930's/religion.html (6) [|The 1930s: Government and Politics: People in the News]." __American Decades__. The Gale Group, Inc. 2001. //Encyclopedia.com.// 28 Apr. 2009 <[|http://www.encyclopedia.com]>. "[|New Deal]." __The Columbia Encyclopedia, Sixth Edition__. 2008. //Encyclopedia.com.// 28 Apr. 2009 <[|http://www.encyclopedia.com]>.& (7)

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