Great Depression

Definition

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s, marked by massive unemployment, plummeting production, and a significant decline in consumer spending. It profoundly influenced society and culture, shaping responses through art, literature, and especially photography as a means to document human suffering and resilience during this challenging era.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Depression began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929, leading to a decade-long period of economic struggle for millions worldwide.
2. Unemployment rates soared during the Great Depression, reaching around 25% in the United States at its peak, leaving countless families struggling to survive.
3. Photographers like Dorothea Lange and Walker Evans captured iconic images of hardship during this time, which became powerful symbols of the era's struggles.
4. The Great Depression prompted significant government intervention in the economy through programs like the New Deal, which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform.
5. Cultural expressions during the Great Depression reflected the social realities of the time, influencing literature, music, and visual arts with themes of hardship and resilience.

Review Questions

• How did the Stock Market Crash of 1929 contribute to the onset of the Great Depression and its impact on American society?
  • The Stock Market Crash of 1929 served as a catalyst for the Great Depression by triggering widespread financial panic and eroding consumer confidence. As stock prices plummeted, banks failed, leading to significant losses for investors and depositors alike. This financial collapse resulted in soaring unemployment rates and a drastic decline in consumer spending, which further deepened economic despair across America and influenced how people coped with hardship.
• In what ways did photography during the Great Depression serve as a tool for social awareness and political change?
  • Photography during the Great Depression played a crucial role in raising awareness about social injustices and economic struggles faced by many individuals. Photographers like Dorothea Lange documented the plight of displaced families and rural workers, creating powerful visual narratives that resonated with viewers. These images not only humanized the statistics of poverty but also helped mobilize public opinion, influencing policy decisions like those associated with the New Deal.
• Evaluate how cultural expressions from literature to photography during the Great Depression reflected societal attitudes towards economic hardship and resilience.
  • Cultural expressions during the Great Depression captured both the despair and resilience of individuals facing economic turmoil. Literature highlighted personal stories of struggle while photography provided stark visual evidence of suffering, together fostering empathy among audiences. This blending of artistic forms communicated a collective experience that criticized societal inequalities while also celebrating human endurance, thus playing a significant role in shaping public discourse about recovery and reform during this pivotal period.

Related terms

Stock Market Crash of 1929: The event that triggered the Great Depression, characterized by a rapid and severe decline in stock prices that led to widespread financial panic and loss of savings.

Dust Bowl: A series of severe dust storms in the 1930s that devastated the agriculture of the American Midwest, exacerbating the effects of the Great Depression for rural communities.

New Deal: A series of programs and reforms initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression aimed at economic recovery and social reform.