Boom to Bust: Roaring Twenties & Great Depression
The Roaring Twenties and Great Depression explores the cultural dynamism of the 1920s followed by the severe economic downturn of the 1930s, highlighting a dramatic shift in American life. The 1920s brought jazz, flappers, and economic growth, while the 1929 stock market crash triggered the Great Depression, leading to widespread hardship, government reforms, and lasting societal changes.
Timeline of Roaring Twenties & Great Depression
This section outlines the key phases of the 1920s and 1930s. Here’s the breakdown:
- Cultural Boom of the 1920s: Social and cultural changes marking the decade’s vibrancy.
- Economic Growth and Excess (1920s): Rapid economic expansion and its underlying issues.
- Onset of the Great Depression (1929-1930s): The stock market crash and early economic fallout.
- Impact and Recovery Efforts (1930s): Societal effects and government responses to the crisis.
Key Figures and Events
This section highlights the main individuals and pivotal moments that shaped this era:
- F. Scott Fitzgerald (1920s): Author of The Great Gatsby, captured the spirit of the Jazz Age.
- Stock Market Crash (1929): October 1929 collapse marked the start of the Great Depression.
- Herbert Hoover (1929-1933): U.S. President during the early Depression, criticized for inaction.
- Dust Bowl (1930s): Severe drought and soil erosion devastated Great Plains farmers.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945): Introduced the New Deal to combat the Depression.
- New Deal Programs (1933-1939): Initiatives like the CCC and WPA provided jobs and relief.
Examples of Roaring Twenties & Great Depression
Cultural Boom of the 1920s Examples
- Jazz music flourished with artists like Louis Armstrong in Harlem nightclubs.
- Flappers, young women with bobbed hair and short skirts, challenged traditional norms.
- The Harlem Renaissance celebrated African American culture through literature and art.
Economic Growth and Excess (1920s) Examples
- Mass production of cars, like Ford’s Model T, made automobiles widely accessible.
- Consumer credit expanded, allowing Americans to buy radios and appliances on installment.
- Speculation in the stock market soared, with many investing borrowed money.
Onset of the Great Depression (1929-1930s) Examples
- The stock market lost 90% of its value by 1932, wiping out savings.
- Banks failed at a rate of 9,000 during the 1930s, leaving depositors penniless.
- Unemployment reached 25% by 1933, with millions unable to find work.
Impact and Recovery Efforts (1930s) Examples
- “Hoovervilles,” shantytowns named after President Hoover, housed the homeless.
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed young men to plant trees and build parks.
- The Social Security Act of 1935 provided pensions and unemployment insurance.