WORLD WAR II IN A NUTSHELL
INTRODUCTION TO WORLD WAR II
World War Two began when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. For the second time in twenty-seven years the world was at war. Many people thought it was not possible to have another world war. World War One was known as “the war that will end war”. World War Two was a terrible, expensive, and tragic war.
World War Two lasted six years. Over 200 countries were involved. Many of these countries had soldiers fighting in battles. Other countries had land taken and their borders changed. The war was fought on the seas, on the land, and in the skies. Battles were fought on the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. On land, battles were fought in the Soviet Union, North Africa, Western Europe, and in the Far East.
The war impacted people all over the globe. Fifty-five million people died in battles and conflicts all over the world. The war affected the lives of almost three quarters of the earth’s population.
The war caused a great deal of harm. People were killed and injured. Property and possessions were destroyed and damaged. The estimated cost of the damage was close to three billion dollars globally.
In World War Two, many people died from the fighting. Numerous people also lost their lives because of starvation and disease. Countries were spending a lot of money on their military and had no money left for other public services. For example, in some places there were no police officers to help keep control. People ended up looting stores and committing crimes with very little punishment. There was also a lack of medical care. Doctors and nurses were needed to look after injured people. Food also became scarce. Stores had few items to buy. People became scared and tried to hoard whatever they could.
World War Two is one of the most important events in history. It is also one of the most studied world events. Many people believe that students must know what happened to ensure that such terrible events never happen again. If people can learn from the mistakes of the past, they can help to make the future better.
World War Two lasted six years. Over 200 countries were involved. Many of these countries had soldiers fighting in battles. Other countries had land taken and their borders changed. The war was fought on the seas, on the land, and in the skies. Battles were fought on the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. On land, battles were fought in the Soviet Union, North Africa, Western Europe, and in the Far East.
The war impacted people all over the globe. Fifty-five million people died in battles and conflicts all over the world. The war affected the lives of almost three quarters of the earth’s population.
The war caused a great deal of harm. People were killed and injured. Property and possessions were destroyed and damaged. The estimated cost of the damage was close to three billion dollars globally.
In World War Two, many people died from the fighting. Numerous people also lost their lives because of starvation and disease. Countries were spending a lot of money on their military and had no money left for other public services. For example, in some places there were no police officers to help keep control. People ended up looting stores and committing crimes with very little punishment. There was also a lack of medical care. Doctors and nurses were needed to look after injured people. Food also became scarce. Stores had few items to buy. People became scared and tried to hoard whatever they could.
World War Two is one of the most important events in history. It is also one of the most studied world events. Many people believe that students must know what happened to ensure that such terrible events never happen again. If people can learn from the mistakes of the past, they can help to make the future better.
Background and Causes
Historians very rarely make sweeping statements that pinpoint the cause of a war to one single action. The British historian A. J. P. Taylor described wars as being like road traffic accidents, “There are some conditions and situations that make them more likely but there can be no system for predicting where and when each one will occur”. Other historians disagree saying that wars cannot be seen as accidental events, that there is always a point where a conscious decision is made to resort to armed conflict.
Historians do agree that it is necessary to look beyond the immediate events preceding a war when looking for an explanation of the causes of wars. The events that contribute to the break out of war can be divided into long term causes, short term causes and a trigger event.
The Second World War began in 1939. There are many reasons why war broke out less than 30 years after the end of World War One. With regard to the outbreak of World War Two the following events are seen as being contributing factors:
1. Treaty of Versailles – 1919
2. Weakness of the League of Nations – established 1920
3. Hitler’s rise to power – 1933
4. Re-armament of Germany – 1935
5. Re-militarization of the Rhineland – 1936
6. Anschluss with Austria – 1938
7. Sudetenland Crisis – 1938
8. Failure of Appeasement – 1938
9. German invasion of Czechoslovakia – March 1939
10. German invasion of Poland – September 1939
Historians do agree that it is necessary to look beyond the immediate events preceding a war when looking for an explanation of the causes of wars. The events that contribute to the break out of war can be divided into long term causes, short term causes and a trigger event.
The Second World War began in 1939. There are many reasons why war broke out less than 30 years after the end of World War One. With regard to the outbreak of World War Two the following events are seen as being contributing factors:
1. Treaty of Versailles – 1919
2. Weakness of the League of Nations – established 1920
3. Hitler’s rise to power – 1933
4. Re-armament of Germany – 1935
5. Re-militarization of the Rhineland – 1936
6. Anschluss with Austria – 1938
7. Sudetenland Crisis – 1938
8. Failure of Appeasement – 1938
9. German invasion of Czechoslovakia – March 1939
10. German invasion of Poland – September 1939
The World War I Treaty of Versailles
The Treaty of Versailles was the agreement that many countries signed to officially end World War One. The problem was that the treaty was never enforced fully. Many countries were afraid that if they tried too hard to keep all of the agreements in the Treaty of Versailles, that it would just lead to another war. Although there was peace in Europe after World War One, it was a tenuous peace. This means that the peace was weak, and that there was a good chance that it would not last.
In 1919, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany was to be made to pay for the damage world war one had caused. Germany had been expecting a treaty based on Wilson’s 14 points and were not happy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. However, they had no choice but to sign the document.
The main terms of the Treaty of Versailles were:
In 1919, Lloyd George of England, Orlando of Italy, Clemenceau of France and Woodrow Wilson from the US met to discuss how Germany was to be made to pay for the damage world war one had caused. Germany had been expecting a treaty based on Wilson’s 14 points and were not happy with the terms of the Treaty of Versailles. However, they had no choice but to sign the document.
The main terms of the Treaty of Versailles were:
- War Guilt Clause - Germany should accept the blame for starting World War One
- Reparations - Germany had to pay £6,600 million for the damage caused by the war
- Disarmament - Germany was only allowed to have a small army and six naval ships. No tanks, no airforce and no submarines were allowed. The Rhineland area was to be de-militarised.
- Territorial Clauses - Land was taken away from Germany and given to other countries. Anschluss (union with Austria) was forbidden.
A Weak League of Nations
The League of Nations was a group of countries who joined together after World War One. The idea of a League of Nations came from President Woodrow Wilson in 1918. Many countries joined the League to try and promote peace; however, the United States did not.
The League of Nations was an international organization set up in 1919 to help keep world peace. It was intended that all countries would be members of the League and that if there were disputes between countries they could be settled by negotiation rather than by force. If this failed then countries would stop trading with the aggressive country and if that failed then countries would use their armies to fight.
In theory the League of Nations was a good idea and did have some early successes. But ultimately it was a failure.
The whole world was hit by a depression in the late 1920s. A depression is when a country's economy falls. Trade is reduced, businesses lose income, prices fall and unemployment rises.
In 1931, Japan was hit badly by the depression. People lost faith in the government and turned to the army to find a solution. The army invaded Manchuria in China, an area rich in minerals and resources.
China appealed to the League for help. The Japanese government were told to order the army to leave Manchuria immediately. However, the army took no notice of the government and continued its conquest of Manchuria.
The League then called for countries to stop trading with Japan but because of the depression many countries did not want to risk losing trade and did not agree to the request.
The League then made a further call for Japan to withdraw from Manchuria but Japan's response was to leave the League of Nations.
In October 1935, Italy invaded Abyssinia. The Abyssinians did not have the strength to withstand an attack by Italy and appealed to the League of Nations for help.
The League condemned the attack and called on member states to impose trade restrictions with Italy. However, the trade restrictions were not carried out because they would have little effect. Italy would be able to trade with non- member states, particularly America. Furthermore, Britain and France did not want to risk Italy making an attack on them.
In order to stop Italy's aggression, the leaders of Britain and France held a meeting and decided that Italy could have two areas of land in Abyssinia provided that there were no further attacks on the African country. Although Mussolini accepted the plan, there was a public outcry in Britain and the plan was dropped.
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The main reasons for the failure of the League of Nations can be summarised into the following points:
The League of Nations was an international organization set up in 1919 to help keep world peace. It was intended that all countries would be members of the League and that if there were disputes between countries they could be settled by negotiation rather than by force. If this failed then countries would stop trading with the aggressive country and if that failed then countries would use their armies to fight.
In theory the League of Nations was a good idea and did have some early successes. But ultimately it was a failure.
The whole world was hit by a depression in the late 1920s. A depression is when a country's economy falls. Trade is reduced, businesses lose income, prices fall and unemployment rises.
In 1931, Japan was hit badly by the depression. People lost faith in the government and turned to the army to find a solution. The army invaded Manchuria in China, an area rich in minerals and resources.
China appealed to the League for help. The Japanese government were told to order the army to leave Manchuria immediately. However, the army took no notice of the government and continued its conquest of Manchuria.
The League then called for countries to stop trading with Japan but because of the depression many countries did not want to risk losing trade and did not agree to the request.
The League then made a further call for Japan to withdraw from Manchuria but Japan's response was to leave the League of Nations.
In October 1935, Italy invaded Abyssinia. The Abyssinians did not have the strength to withstand an attack by Italy and appealed to the League of Nations for help.
The League condemned the attack and called on member states to impose trade restrictions with Italy. However, the trade restrictions were not carried out because they would have little effect. Italy would be able to trade with non- member states, particularly America. Furthermore, Britain and France did not want to risk Italy making an attack on them.
In order to stop Italy's aggression, the leaders of Britain and France held a meeting and decided that Italy could have two areas of land in Abyssinia provided that there were no further attacks on the African country. Although Mussolini accepted the plan, there was a public outcry in Britain and the plan was dropped.
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The main reasons for the failure of the League of Nations can be summarised into the following points:
- Not all countries joined the League.
Although the idea for the League of Nations had come from Woodrow Wilson, there was a change of government in the United States before the signing of the treaty and the new Republican government refused to join. As a punishment for having started World War One, Germany was not allowed to join and Russia was also excluded due to a growing fear of Communism. Other countries decided not to join and some joined but later left.
- The League had no power.
The main weapon of the League was to ask member countries to stop trading with an aggressive country. However, this did not work because countries could still trade with non-member countries. When the world was hit by depression in the late 1920s countries were reluctant to lose trading partners to other non-member countries.
- The League had no army.
Soldiers were to be supplied by member countries. However, countries were reluctant to get involved and risk provoking an aggressive country into taking direct action against them and failed to provide troops.
- Unable to act quickly.
The Council of the League of Nations only met four times a year and decisions had to be agreed by all nations. When countries called for the League to intervene, the League had to set up an emergency meeting, hold discussions and gain the agreement of all members. This process meant that the League could not act quickly to stop an act of aggression.
Economic Depression
Another factor that led to the Second World War was the economic depression that had spread through much of Europe. Many people had lost their jobs and were poor. Stores did not have many items to purchase, and many people were scared about the future.
Dictators
People in Europe began to feel desperate for help. They started to believe leaders who promised change. They began to hope that things would get better for them. Leaders who were dictators became very popular. Dictators were people who ruled a country with complete authority. They did not need permission from anyone to do whatever they wanted. Some dictators of stronger countries started to take over weaker countries.
Nationalism and Militarism
In Europe there was also a rise in nationalism and militarism. Nationalism is the belief that one’s country is better than another. Several countries in Europe believed strongly in nationalism. Militarism is the collection of weapons in order to prepare for war. Even though Europe had just come out of World War One, some countries started to collect weapons again. Feelings of nationalism and militarism led to more tension in Europe.
Alliances
Many nations were involved in World War Two. The countries formed two major alliances. One group was called the Axis and the other was called the Allies. Germany, Italy and Japan made up the Berlin-Rome-Tokyo Axis. Germany was seen as having power over most of central Europe. Italy was seen as having power over the Mediterranean area. Japan was seen as having power over Eastern Asia and the Pacific area. The Allies were the United Kingdom, France and Poland. The number of countries who joined the Allies grew steadily once war broke out in 1939. Other countries who became an important part of the Allies included the United States, Canada and Russia.
Hitler
The German people were very unhappy about the treaty and thought that it was too harsh. Germany could not afford to pay the money and during the 1920s the people in Germany were very poor. There were not many jobs and the price of food and basic goods was high. People were dissatisfied with the government and voted to power a man who promised to rip up the Treaty of Versailles. His name was Adolf Hitler.
Germany was blamed for much of World War One. Many people in Germany were very angry about this. Some Germans were determined to get revenge for being blamed for the first war.
Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. Almost immediately he began secretly building up Germany’s army and weapons. In 1934 he increased the size of the army, began building warships and created a German airforce. Compulsory military service was also introduced.
Although Britain and France were aware of Hitler’s actions, they were also concerned about the rise of Communism and believed that a stronger Germany might help to prevent the spread of Communism to the West.
In 1936 Hitler ordered German troops to enter the Rhineland. At this point the German army was not very strong and could have been easily defeated. Yet neither France nor Britain was prepared to start another war.
Hitler also made two important alliances during 1936. The first was called the Rome-Berlin Axis Pact and allied Hitler’s Germany with Mussolini’s Italy. The second was called the Anti-Comitern Pact and allied Germany with Japan.
The results of the vote were fixed and showed that 99% of Austrian people wanted Anschluss (union with Germany). The Austrian leader asked Britain, France and Italy for aid. Hitler promised that Anschluss was the end of his expansionist aims and not wanting to risk war, the other countries did nothing.
Hitler did not keep his word and six months later demanded that the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia be handed over to Germany.
Hitler’s next step was to begin taking back the land that had been taken away from Germany. In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria. The Austrian leader was forced to hold a vote asking the people whether they wanted to be part of Germany.
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Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Britain, met with Hitler three times during September 1938 to try to reach an agreement that would prevent war. The Munich Agreement stated that Hitler could have the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia provided that he promised not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia.
The picture (left) shows Chamberlain returning from Munich with the document signed by Hitler declaring ‘Peace in our time.’
Hope that there would be peace was short lived. Hitler was not a man of his word and in March 1939 invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. Despite calls for help from the Czechoslovak government, neither Britain nor France was prepared to take military action against Hitler. However, some action was now necessary and believing that Poland would be Hitler’s next target, both Britain and France promised that they would take military action against Hitler if he invaded Poland. Chamberlain believed that, faced with the prospect of war against Britain and France, Hitler would stop his aggression. Chamberlain was wrong. German troops invaded Poland on 1st September 1939.
Germany was blamed for much of World War One. Many people in Germany were very angry about this. Some Germans were determined to get revenge for being blamed for the first war.
Adolf Hitler became Chancellor of Germany in January 1933. Almost immediately he began secretly building up Germany’s army and weapons. In 1934 he increased the size of the army, began building warships and created a German airforce. Compulsory military service was also introduced.
Although Britain and France were aware of Hitler’s actions, they were also concerned about the rise of Communism and believed that a stronger Germany might help to prevent the spread of Communism to the West.
In 1936 Hitler ordered German troops to enter the Rhineland. At this point the German army was not very strong and could have been easily defeated. Yet neither France nor Britain was prepared to start another war.
Hitler also made two important alliances during 1936. The first was called the Rome-Berlin Axis Pact and allied Hitler’s Germany with Mussolini’s Italy. The second was called the Anti-Comitern Pact and allied Germany with Japan.
The results of the vote were fixed and showed that 99% of Austrian people wanted Anschluss (union with Germany). The Austrian leader asked Britain, France and Italy for aid. Hitler promised that Anschluss was the end of his expansionist aims and not wanting to risk war, the other countries did nothing.
Hitler did not keep his word and six months later demanded that the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia be handed over to Germany.
Hitler’s next step was to begin taking back the land that had been taken away from Germany. In March 1938, German troops marched into Austria. The Austrian leader was forced to hold a vote asking the people whether they wanted to be part of Germany.
WWII Causes Information & Activity Book
© 2005 H Y Wheeler www.historyonthenet.com
Page 14
Neville Chamberlain, Prime Minister of Britain, met with Hitler three times during September 1938 to try to reach an agreement that would prevent war. The Munich Agreement stated that Hitler could have the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia provided that he promised not to invade the rest of Czechoslovakia.
The picture (left) shows Chamberlain returning from Munich with the document signed by Hitler declaring ‘Peace in our time.’
Hope that there would be peace was short lived. Hitler was not a man of his word and in March 1939 invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia. Despite calls for help from the Czechoslovak government, neither Britain nor France was prepared to take military action against Hitler. However, some action was now necessary and believing that Poland would be Hitler’s next target, both Britain and France promised that they would take military action against Hitler if he invaded Poland. Chamberlain believed that, faced with the prospect of war against Britain and France, Hitler would stop his aggression. Chamberlain was wrong. German troops invaded Poland on 1st September 1939.
Rearmament of Germany
Anschluss with Austria
Anschluss with Austria
Sudetenland Crisis
Sudetenland Crisis
Failure of Appeasement
Appeasement means giving in to someone provided their demands are seen as reasonable. During the 1930s, many politicians in both Britain and France came to see that the terms of the Treaty of Versailles had placed restrictions on Germany that were unfair. Hitler's actions were seen as understandable and justifiable.
When Germany began re-arming in 1934, many politicians felt that Germany had a right to re-arm in order to protect herself. It was also argued that a stronger Germany would prevent the spread of Communism to the west.
In 1936, Hitler argued that because France had signed a new treaty with Russia, Germany was under threat from both countries and it was essential to German security that troops were stationed in the Rhineland. France was not strong enough to fight Germany without British help and Britain was not prepared to go to war at this point. Furthermore, many believed that since the Rhineland was a part of Germany it was reasonable that German troops should be stationed there.
The Treaty of Versailles had taken land away from Germany and given it to other countries. The people in these areas spoke German and had been German before 1919. Many politicians felt that it was reasonable that all German speaking people should be German. Many saw the Anschluss with Austria in this light, particularly as a vote held in Austria showed that 99% of Austrian people were in favour of it.
In May 1937, Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minister of Britain. He believed that the Treaty of Versailles had treated Germany badly and that there were a number of issues associated with the Treaty that needed to be put right. He felt that giving in to Hitler's demands would prevent another war.
This policy, adopted by Chamberlain's government became known as the policy of Appeasement.
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In September 1938, Hitler demanded that the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia be returned to Germany. This area, on the border between Germany and Czechoslovakia had been taken away from Germany by the Treaty of Versailles.
The leaders of Britain, Germany, France and Italy held a meeting in Munich on 29th September to discuss the situation. Hitler stated that if the Sudetenland was returned to Germany then he would make no further claims for land.
The Munich Agreement, signed by all four leaders, agreed that the Sudetenland would be returned to Germany and that no further territorial claims would be made by Germany.
The Czech government was not invited to the conference and protested about the loss of the Sudetenland. They felt that they had been betrayed by both Britain and France with whom alliances had been made.
However, the Munich Agreement was generally viewed as a triumph and an excellent example of securing peace through negotiation rather than war.
When Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, he broke the terms of the Munich Agreement. Although it was realised that the policy of appeasement had failed, Chamberlain was still not prepared to take the country to war over "..a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing..." Instead, he made a guarantee to come to Poland's aid if Hitler invaded Poland.
When Germany began re-arming in 1934, many politicians felt that Germany had a right to re-arm in order to protect herself. It was also argued that a stronger Germany would prevent the spread of Communism to the west.
In 1936, Hitler argued that because France had signed a new treaty with Russia, Germany was under threat from both countries and it was essential to German security that troops were stationed in the Rhineland. France was not strong enough to fight Germany without British help and Britain was not prepared to go to war at this point. Furthermore, many believed that since the Rhineland was a part of Germany it was reasonable that German troops should be stationed there.
The Treaty of Versailles had taken land away from Germany and given it to other countries. The people in these areas spoke German and had been German before 1919. Many politicians felt that it was reasonable that all German speaking people should be German. Many saw the Anschluss with Austria in this light, particularly as a vote held in Austria showed that 99% of Austrian people were in favour of it.
In May 1937, Neville Chamberlain became Prime Minister of Britain. He believed that the Treaty of Versailles had treated Germany badly and that there were a number of issues associated with the Treaty that needed to be put right. He felt that giving in to Hitler's demands would prevent another war.
This policy, adopted by Chamberlain's government became known as the policy of Appeasement.
WWII Causes Information & Activity Book
© 2005 H Y Wheeler www.historyonthenet.com
Page 21
In September 1938, Hitler demanded that the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia be returned to Germany. This area, on the border between Germany and Czechoslovakia had been taken away from Germany by the Treaty of Versailles.
The leaders of Britain, Germany, France and Italy held a meeting in Munich on 29th September to discuss the situation. Hitler stated that if the Sudetenland was returned to Germany then he would make no further claims for land.
The Munich Agreement, signed by all four leaders, agreed that the Sudetenland would be returned to Germany and that no further territorial claims would be made by Germany.
The Czech government was not invited to the conference and protested about the loss of the Sudetenland. They felt that they had been betrayed by both Britain and France with whom alliances had been made.
However, the Munich Agreement was generally viewed as a triumph and an excellent example of securing peace through negotiation rather than war.
When Hitler invaded the rest of Czechoslovakia in March 1939, he broke the terms of the Munich Agreement. Although it was realised that the policy of appeasement had failed, Chamberlain was still not prepared to take the country to war over "..a quarrel in a far-away country between people of whom we know nothing..." Instead, he made a guarantee to come to Poland's aid if Hitler invaded Poland.
German Invasion of Czechoslovakia
German Invasion of Poland
World Leaders Before World War II
World Leaders
On this page and the next, you will find information about the political leaders who shaped the events of the thirties and led the way into the forties. Students can use this information for study guides and as a springboard for class discussions.
JosephStalin 1875–1953
A communist dictator, Stalin succeeded Lenin as leader of the Soviet Union. He pushed the USSR to industrialize in order to compete with the rest of the world. His Five Year Plan outlined production goals to be reached by 1933. Stalin built gulags, or prison camps, where people who did not meet these goals or who disagreed with them were imprisoned. Millions died or were executed. Stalin joined Hitler in crushing Poland but later accepted aid from the Allies after Germany attacked Russia.
Benito Mussolini 1883–1945
Known as Il Duce, Mussolini became leader of the Fascist party. Promising to make Italy strong and powerful, he built up a dictatorship and used violence against his opponents. Fascists controlled all levels of society, from unions to politics. In 1935 Mussolini seized the country of Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) in Africa and later occupied Albania. He became Hitler’s closest ally during World War II. The two formed the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936.
Mao Tse-tung 1893–1976
In 1921 the Chinese Communist party was founded, and Mao Tse-tung served as one of its founders and its first leader. Ten years later he proclaimed a Chinese Soviet Republic but was subsequently driven away. Mao then led his 100,000 supporters on the Long March of 6,000 miles to a safe place in northern China. After World War II he defeated the Nationalists and made China into a Communist state.
Adolf Hitler 1889–1945
Hitler was an Austrian megalomaniac who founded the German Nazi Party. Believing that the Germans were superior to Jews and other races, his party’s aim was to set up a race of pure Germans. From 1939 to 1941 Hitler’s armies overran most of Europe, but the tide turned when he attempted to seize Russia. The combined forces of Russia, the U.S., and Great Britain defeated Hitler during World War II. In 1945 Hitler committed suicide as Allied forces moved in on his bunker.
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Global Highlights
1930s
World Leaders (cont.)
Francisco Franco 1892–1975
In 1931 King Alfonso XIII of Spain abdicated his throne due to the people’s discontent with the monarchy. The democratic republic which followed was weak, and a civil war broke out in 1936. Francisco Franco led the attack. When his party won, Franco became the head of state, serving as dictator from 1937 until his death in 1975.
Mohandas Gandhi 1869-1948
By the late 1890s most of India was under British control. World War I had weakened Britain’s economy, and it had become difficult to maintain the country. From 1920 on, Indian lawyer Mohandas Gandhi urged civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance against the regime. He often fasted for days to call attention to injustices. In 1948 India won its independence, but Gandhi was murdered a few months later. Today, Gandhi is called the Father of India.
NevilleChamberlain 1869–1940
This British Prime Minister began his political career in 1918 as a member of the British Parliament. In 1937 he became Prime Minister. Chamberlain supported a policy of appeasement and foolishly believed that by giving Hitler what he wanted a major war could be avoided. However, he was wrong to think that Hitler would stop when he invaded Czechoslovakia. Poland was next on Hitler’s list, and Britain came to the country’s defense in 1939. Chamberlain died shortly after resigning in 1940.
Winston Churchill 1874–1965
Churchill had held a number of government posts, but his war preparedness stance kept him from gaining power. It was not until after Chamberlain resigned in 1940 that Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain. Early in the war Great Britain stood alone in its fight against Nazi Germany, but the British refused to give in. Churchill’s great speeches and famous V for victory salute encouraged everyone. A brilliant statesman and orator, he is considered to be the architect for victory during World War II.
On this page and the next, you will find information about the political leaders who shaped the events of the thirties and led the way into the forties. Students can use this information for study guides and as a springboard for class discussions.
JosephStalin 1875–1953
A communist dictator, Stalin succeeded Lenin as leader of the Soviet Union. He pushed the USSR to industrialize in order to compete with the rest of the world. His Five Year Plan outlined production goals to be reached by 1933. Stalin built gulags, or prison camps, where people who did not meet these goals or who disagreed with them were imprisoned. Millions died or were executed. Stalin joined Hitler in crushing Poland but later accepted aid from the Allies after Germany attacked Russia.
Benito Mussolini 1883–1945
Known as Il Duce, Mussolini became leader of the Fascist party. Promising to make Italy strong and powerful, he built up a dictatorship and used violence against his opponents. Fascists controlled all levels of society, from unions to politics. In 1935 Mussolini seized the country of Ethiopia (formerly Abyssinia) in Africa and later occupied Albania. He became Hitler’s closest ally during World War II. The two formed the Rome-Berlin Axis in 1936.
Mao Tse-tung 1893–1976
In 1921 the Chinese Communist party was founded, and Mao Tse-tung served as one of its founders and its first leader. Ten years later he proclaimed a Chinese Soviet Republic but was subsequently driven away. Mao then led his 100,000 supporters on the Long March of 6,000 miles to a safe place in northern China. After World War II he defeated the Nationalists and made China into a Communist state.
Adolf Hitler 1889–1945
Hitler was an Austrian megalomaniac who founded the German Nazi Party. Believing that the Germans were superior to Jews and other races, his party’s aim was to set up a race of pure Germans. From 1939 to 1941 Hitler’s armies overran most of Europe, but the tide turned when he attempted to seize Russia. The combined forces of Russia, the U.S., and Great Britain defeated Hitler during World War II. In 1945 Hitler committed suicide as Allied forces moved in on his bunker.
#2100 The Twentieth Century
210 © Teacher Created Resources, Inc.
Global Highlights
1930s
World Leaders (cont.)
Francisco Franco 1892–1975
In 1931 King Alfonso XIII of Spain abdicated his throne due to the people’s discontent with the monarchy. The democratic republic which followed was weak, and a civil war broke out in 1936. Francisco Franco led the attack. When his party won, Franco became the head of state, serving as dictator from 1937 until his death in 1975.
Mohandas Gandhi 1869-1948
By the late 1890s most of India was under British control. World War I had weakened Britain’s economy, and it had become difficult to maintain the country. From 1920 on, Indian lawyer Mohandas Gandhi urged civil disobedience and nonviolent resistance against the regime. He often fasted for days to call attention to injustices. In 1948 India won its independence, but Gandhi was murdered a few months later. Today, Gandhi is called the Father of India.
NevilleChamberlain 1869–1940
This British Prime Minister began his political career in 1918 as a member of the British Parliament. In 1937 he became Prime Minister. Chamberlain supported a policy of appeasement and foolishly believed that by giving Hitler what he wanted a major war could be avoided. However, he was wrong to think that Hitler would stop when he invaded Czechoslovakia. Poland was next on Hitler’s list, and Britain came to the country’s defense in 1939. Chamberlain died shortly after resigning in 1940.
Winston Churchill 1874–1965
Churchill had held a number of government posts, but his war preparedness stance kept him from gaining power. It was not until after Chamberlain resigned in 1940 that Winston Churchill became Prime Minister of Great Britain. Early in the war Great Britain stood alone in its fight against Nazi Germany, but the British refused to give in. Churchill’s great speeches and famous V for victory salute encouraged everyone. A brilliant statesman and orator, he is considered to be the architect for victory during World War II.
Germany's Part in the War
After the First World War, people in Europe were unsure what they should do. The Treaty of Versailles did not promote peace. Many Germans were upset about being blamed for the war. The economic depression made many people feel desperate. In Germany, people began to put their hope in a fascist group called the Nazi Party. Many people voted for the Nazis to rule Germany. The Nazis promised people jobs, increased
services, and a better military.
In 1933, Adolf Hitler became the leader of Germany.
He was a very good public speaker. People listened to
him. People believed in him. Hitler used propaganda
to get people to agree with him. He explained
to the Germans that they were being treated
unfairly. Hitler told the Germans that Jewish people
and Gypsies should be blamed for their problems. Hitler’s
goal was to destroy people he called “less worthy”. He also wanted Germany to have more land. He told Germans that it was Germany’s right to take land that had German-speaking people living on it. He said that Germany needed more “living space”. Hitler successfully took over two countries to get more space, without starting a war.
On March 13, 1938 Germany took over Austria even though the Treaty of Versailles said that this was not allowed. In September of 1939, France and Britain agreed to give some of the land in Czechoslovakia to Hitler. By March of 1939, Hitler had taken all of it.
Great Britain and France did not want another war. They had lost many soldiers and a lot of money in World War One. People in Great Britain and France had not recovered from World War One. There was little support for another war. For these reasons, Britain and France did not put up a fight against Hitler. They believed that they could avoid war if they gave in to Hitler. They thought that giving Austria and Czechoslovakia to Hitler would make him happy. What France and Great Britain did not understand was that Hitler wanted much more land.
Hitler believed that he could continue taking over different countries. Austria and Czechoslovakia had already been given to him. Hitler wanted to take over Poland as well, but he did not want to fight with the Soviet Union. Hitler, being very clever, made a deal with the Soviets before he invaded Poland. The deal meant that the Soviet Union would support Germany.
On August 31,1939, Nazi officers took an unknown
prisoner from one of their camps and dressed him
up in a Polish uniform. They took him to a small town
near the border of Poland and Germany and shot him.
This made it look like Poland was attacking Germany.
Hitler used this fake attack as an excuse to invade Poland the next day, September 1, 1939.
In order to make a quick attack, the Germans used a war tactic called “Blitzkrieg”. This is a German word that means “lightening war”. It was called Blitzkrieg because the attacks were very big and very sudden. The Germans attacked Poland quickly, using 1.8 million German soldiers and over 2,000 aircraft. Bridges, roads and air strips were bombed. Groups of Polish soldiers on the ground were attacked by machine gunfire from the air.
On the same day as the attack on Poland, Great Britain and France sent Hitler an ultimatum. They told Hitler that if he did not stop attacking Poland, Great Britain and France would go to war against Germany.
Two days later, on September 3, 1939, France and Great Britain declared war on Germany. World War Two had begun.
The Holocaust
Millions of lives were lost during World War II, but not all of them were due to combat. When the Nazis came to power in Germany, they began to persecute Jews. Adolf Hitler, in a desire to promote a “master race” of pure Aryans, was determined to wipe out the entire Jewish population. Because many German Jews were economically successful, had good jobs, and owned nice houses, Hitler’s misguided reasoning held them responsible for inflation, the Depression, and other German problems. Hitler also believed that the Aryan race was superior and that Jews were polluting it. Many other people believed in this theory, too. In order to eliminate the “Jewish problem,” Hitler built walled prisons called concentration camps in Germany, Poland, and Austria.
Some of these prisons were work camps, while others were nothing more than death factories.
Prisoners at working camps like Bergen-Belsen and Dachau in Germany made supplies for the German army. On their arrival at a camp, prisoners’ clothing and belongings were taken away. Their heads were shaved and numbers were tattooed on their arms for identification. Conditions at these camps were deplorable. Many inhabitants froze to death; others died from disease or lack of food. Some were killed when they were no longer able to work. At the death camps, such as Auschwitz and Treblinka in Poland, prisoners were taken to a shower, but the rooms were locked and pumped full of deadly gas through the shower heads. Later their bodies were burned in huge ovens. In addition, some prisoners were subjected to supposedly scientific testing, surgeries without anesthesia, and gruesome experiments. In all, over six million Jews were killed—that number represented 40% of the world’s Jewish population. Additionally, five million disabled, homosexuals, Gypsies, and political opponents of the Nazis were eliminated. The Holocaust was a dark period in history, one that must not be repeated.
Some of these prisons were work camps, while others were nothing more than death factories.
Prisoners at working camps like Bergen-Belsen and Dachau in Germany made supplies for the German army. On their arrival at a camp, prisoners’ clothing and belongings were taken away. Their heads were shaved and numbers were tattooed on their arms for identification. Conditions at these camps were deplorable. Many inhabitants froze to death; others died from disease or lack of food. Some were killed when they were no longer able to work. At the death camps, such as Auschwitz and Treblinka in Poland, prisoners were taken to a shower, but the rooms were locked and pumped full of deadly gas through the shower heads. Later their bodies were burned in huge ovens. In addition, some prisoners were subjected to supposedly scientific testing, surgeries without anesthesia, and gruesome experiments. In all, over six million Jews were killed—that number represented 40% of the world’s Jewish population. Additionally, five million disabled, homosexuals, Gypsies, and political opponents of the Nazis were eliminated. The Holocaust was a dark period in history, one that must not be repeated.
Major Battles
Major Battles
There were many battles fought during World War Two. Each one had casualties, and all caused damage. Three of the major battles are described below.
The Battle of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941
As in World War One, the United States remained neutral for the first part of the Second World War. That changed when the American military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked at 7:55 a.m. on December 7, 1941.
Pearl Harbor was home for almost 50,000 American troops. It was the biggest American base in the Pacific region. The Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor from the coast off of the island of Oahu. Japan’s goal was to cause as much damage as possible. They especially wanted to damage battleships, aircraft carriers and airplanes on the ground. The attack was sudden. Hundreds of Japanese airplanes attacked the American base, damaging many American ships and airplanes. The Americans fought back. The attack was over in less than two hours. Close to 2,500 people lost their lives. This battle was the start of war between Japan and the U.S.
The Battle of Midway June 4 to June 7, 1942
The Battle of Midway has been called a “turning point” in World War Two. The battle occurred six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It took place on the Midway Islands, northwest of Hawaii. The U.S. defeated Japan by destroying several large ships and aircraft carriers.
Losing the Battle of Midway was terrible for the Japanese. They were not fighting to take over U.S. territory; they just wanted more control in the Pacific region. They thought that if they took the Midway Islands, the U.S. would not have power and that the Japanese could gain control. Japan lost many boats and aircraft, as well as aviators to operate the airplanes during the battle. As a result, the United States was able to gain control of that area of the Pacific Ocean.
The Battle of Normandy June 6, 1944
The Battle of Normandy started on June 6, 1944. This date is also known as D-Day. This battle was fought between the Nazis and the Allies, including American and Canadian soldiers. It is the largest seaborne invasion in history with almost three million troops involved. The battle began during the night as soldiers parachuted into France. Later, attacks came from the air and from the sea. The Battle of Normandy lasted for more than two months. It was the first of many victories for the Allies. Germany surrendered less than a year later.
There were many battles fought during World War Two. Each one had casualties, and all caused damage. Three of the major battles are described below.
The Battle of Pearl Harbor December 7, 1941
As in World War One, the United States remained neutral for the first part of the Second World War. That changed when the American military base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii was attacked at 7:55 a.m. on December 7, 1941.
Pearl Harbor was home for almost 50,000 American troops. It was the biggest American base in the Pacific region. The Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor from the coast off of the island of Oahu. Japan’s goal was to cause as much damage as possible. They especially wanted to damage battleships, aircraft carriers and airplanes on the ground. The attack was sudden. Hundreds of Japanese airplanes attacked the American base, damaging many American ships and airplanes. The Americans fought back. The attack was over in less than two hours. Close to 2,500 people lost their lives. This battle was the start of war between Japan and the U.S.
The Battle of Midway June 4 to June 7, 1942
The Battle of Midway has been called a “turning point” in World War Two. The battle occurred six months after the attack on Pearl Harbor. It took place on the Midway Islands, northwest of Hawaii. The U.S. defeated Japan by destroying several large ships and aircraft carriers.
Losing the Battle of Midway was terrible for the Japanese. They were not fighting to take over U.S. territory; they just wanted more control in the Pacific region. They thought that if they took the Midway Islands, the U.S. would not have power and that the Japanese could gain control. Japan lost many boats and aircraft, as well as aviators to operate the airplanes during the battle. As a result, the United States was able to gain control of that area of the Pacific Ocean.
The Battle of Normandy June 6, 1944
The Battle of Normandy started on June 6, 1944. This date is also known as D-Day. This battle was fought between the Nazis and the Allies, including American and Canadian soldiers. It is the largest seaborne invasion in history with almost three million troops involved. The battle began during the night as soldiers parachuted into France. Later, attacks came from the air and from the sea. The Battle of Normandy lasted for more than two months. It was the first of many victories for the Allies. Germany surrendered less than a year later.
New Weapons of War
Many of the weapons used in World War One were also used in World War Two. By 1939 many of the weapons had been improved in order to work better.
The “U-Boat” was the English short form for the German word “Unterseeboot”. This means “undersea boat”. U-boats could travel below the water’s surface. They were also called submarines. The main purpose for the German U-Boat was to hit ships coming to Europe from the U.S. and Canada with supplies.
When World War Two began, Germany had 57 U-Boats. Over the next six years, Germany built close to 1,100 new boats. The allies, especially Great Britain, believed that the U-Boats were their biggest threat. The U-Boats could attack from great distances. Also, they were difficult to trace because they were able to move quietly in the water.
Although many U-Boats were built for World War Two, close to 80 percent of them were destroyed during fighting. 28 000 people who worked on U-Boats were killed and 8,000 were captured during the war.
Tanks became more sophisticated in World War Two. Radios were installed in German tanks. This allowed better communication with soldiers and better control. Tanks also became larger. The United States even made a 105-ton tank! At the beginning of the war light tanks were used by most armies. As the war went on, heavier tanks became more common. Turrets were also used on tanks. A turret allowed a very heavy machine gun to be mounted on the tank. The turret made it possible for the gun to be moved all the way around to hit targets. Having a turret also meant that the gun could be fired even if the tank was hidden behind some cover.
Bombers were airplanes that were used in World War One. They were designed to attack targets on the ground by dropping bombs from the plane. In World War Two, fighter aircraft were built. These planes were designed to attack other aircraft while in the air. The fighter aircraft were small, fast and easy to move around. Countries fighting in World War Two wanted superiority in the air. They wanted to be the best and have control of the skies. In most wars, the countries that had control of the skies usually went on to be the winners, or victors in the war. Many countries spent a lot of money to build the best aircraft possible.
The “U-Boat” was the English short form for the German word “Unterseeboot”. This means “undersea boat”. U-boats could travel below the water’s surface. They were also called submarines. The main purpose for the German U-Boat was to hit ships coming to Europe from the U.S. and Canada with supplies.
When World War Two began, Germany had 57 U-Boats. Over the next six years, Germany built close to 1,100 new boats. The allies, especially Great Britain, believed that the U-Boats were their biggest threat. The U-Boats could attack from great distances. Also, they were difficult to trace because they were able to move quietly in the water.
Although many U-Boats were built for World War Two, close to 80 percent of them were destroyed during fighting. 28 000 people who worked on U-Boats were killed and 8,000 were captured during the war.
Tanks became more sophisticated in World War Two. Radios were installed in German tanks. This allowed better communication with soldiers and better control. Tanks also became larger. The United States even made a 105-ton tank! At the beginning of the war light tanks were used by most armies. As the war went on, heavier tanks became more common. Turrets were also used on tanks. A turret allowed a very heavy machine gun to be mounted on the tank. The turret made it possible for the gun to be moved all the way around to hit targets. Having a turret also meant that the gun could be fired even if the tank was hidden behind some cover.
Bombers were airplanes that were used in World War One. They were designed to attack targets on the ground by dropping bombs from the plane. In World War Two, fighter aircraft were built. These planes were designed to attack other aircraft while in the air. The fighter aircraft were small, fast and easy to move around. Countries fighting in World War Two wanted superiority in the air. They wanted to be the best and have control of the skies. In most wars, the countries that had control of the skies usually went on to be the winners, or victors in the war. Many countries spent a lot of money to build the best aircraft possible.
Lower Wages
The End of War
World War Two started as a conflict between a few nations. It turned into the biggest war in history. It involved dozens of countries and cost millions of lives.
In 1943, the Axis powers started showing signs of fatigue with the war. The U.S. was becoming more involved and Russia still had huge reserves. By 1944, the Allies were winning the war in the air. The allies hit many German cities and did a lot of damage to highways and transportation routes.
The official end to World War Two was September 2, 1945. This is when Japan signed the peace treaty. The war in Europe had ended months before. On May 7, 1945, German forces surrendered to the Allies. Nazi control of Germany was over. Adolf Hitler killed himself, and Germany became controlled by Allied forces.
Although war in Europe was over, new tensions emerged between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries saw themselves as the most powerful country in the world. Neither wanted the other to be powerful. Neither country trusted each other. In the three decades following World War Two, the United States and the Soviet Union were part of the “Cold War”. This was not a war with weapons, but with words and threats. Both countries wanted to be a superpower, meaning that it would have a lot of influence over other countries.
World War Two was the biggest and most expensive war in history. People lost their homes, families, property, possessions, and feeling of security. Bombings, new methods of warfare, famine, and disease killed millions of people. Many were also left homeless. Fifty-five million people worldwide perished in World War Two. People who survived could hardly understand how massive the suffering was.
The United States played a leading role in helping Western Europe rebuild after World War Two. U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall introduced a plan to help Europe. His plan gave European countries thirteen billion dollars between 1948 and 1952. The money was used to help rebuild schools, hospitals, roads and houses.
World War Two showed that the League of Nations was not able to prevent war. In 1945 the United Nations (UN) was created to replace the League of Nations. Since World War Two, the UN has tried to bring peace to many parts of the world. The UN has many agencies that try to improve the lives of people living in difficult situations. The UN has 192 member countries and continues to exist today.
World War Two started as a conflict between a few nations. It turned into the biggest war in history. It involved dozens of countries and cost millions of lives.
In 1943, the Axis powers started showing signs of fatigue with the war. The U.S. was becoming more involved and Russia still had huge reserves. By 1944, the Allies were winning the war in the air. The allies hit many German cities and did a lot of damage to highways and transportation routes.
The official end to World War Two was September 2, 1945. This is when Japan signed the peace treaty. The war in Europe had ended months before. On May 7, 1945, German forces surrendered to the Allies. Nazi control of Germany was over. Adolf Hitler killed himself, and Germany became controlled by Allied forces.
Although war in Europe was over, new tensions emerged between the United States and the Soviet Union. Both countries saw themselves as the most powerful country in the world. Neither wanted the other to be powerful. Neither country trusted each other. In the three decades following World War Two, the United States and the Soviet Union were part of the “Cold War”. This was not a war with weapons, but with words and threats. Both countries wanted to be a superpower, meaning that it would have a lot of influence over other countries.
World War Two was the biggest and most expensive war in history. People lost their homes, families, property, possessions, and feeling of security. Bombings, new methods of warfare, famine, and disease killed millions of people. Many were also left homeless. Fifty-five million people worldwide perished in World War Two. People who survived could hardly understand how massive the suffering was.
The United States played a leading role in helping Western Europe rebuild after World War Two. U.S. Secretary of State George Marshall introduced a plan to help Europe. His plan gave European countries thirteen billion dollars between 1948 and 1952. The money was used to help rebuild schools, hospitals, roads and houses.
World War Two showed that the League of Nations was not able to prevent war. In 1945 the United Nations (UN) was created to replace the League of Nations. Since World War Two, the UN has tried to bring peace to many parts of the world. The UN has many agencies that try to improve the lives of people living in difficult situations. The UN has 192 member countries and continues to exist today.
The Home Front
During World War II women faced new challenges. As more and more men were drafted, women were pressed into working outside the home. Some volunteered for duty in the armed services
(see page 235). Even those who stayed at home were asked to make sacrifices for their country.
While women on the home front did not face the imminent dangers of war, they were faced with a number of obstacles. For one thing they had few household appliances. Clothes had to be washed by hand or with a hand-cranked machine. Meals were prepared from scratch as there were few convenience foods. Food preparation became even more difficult as popular foods were rationed. Women were encouraged to attend special classes that taught them how to use little-known foods (such as eggplant) in different dishes. Families were encouraged to grow “victory gardens”; more than 75% of American housewives preserved and canned the resulting produce.
As more and more men were drafted, women had to take on even more responsibilities. Twenty-five percent joined volunteer organizations. Some worked as aircraft spotters looking for enemy planes, while others learned to drive ambulances. Three million women joined the Red Cross where they organized blood banks, rolled bandages, and packed kits for soldiers. United Service Organizations (USOs) were established in 1941 on various U.S. military bases to support soldiers. Women served as hostesses and dance partners. Women, especially celebrities, helped sell war bonds.
As manufacturers faced a shortage of male workers, they, too, began recruiting women. Because Americans believed that a woman’s place was at home, companies had to convince women that they were needed and capable of building ships, planes, and tanks. Patriotic ads appeared in magazines with Rosie the Riveter as the symbol of working women. In time, women worked alongside men and in many cases took over welding, riveting, and machinists’ positions. These experiences helped women become more self-confident and provided the potential for futures very different from the ones they had faced only two or three years earlier.
The Crash of 1929
In late October 1929, the practice of speculating and buying stocks on margin ended with a massive crash of stock values. Black Thursday (October 24, 1929) followed by an even worse Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929) destroyed the artificial values of stocks and led to a long period of falling prices over the next three years. Many stocks became worthless, and thousands of people who had invested in them lost their entire life savings. Banks and business speculators went bankrupt. People who had borrowed money to buy stocks lost everything they owned, including businesses, homes, cars, furniture, and even clothes. Millions of people lost their jobs and could not find work.
An International Depression
Throughout the world businesses failed, and people were thrown out of work. The United States passed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 to protect American businesses from foreign competition by raising the taxes on products imported from other countries. This caused other nations to pass similar tariffs, which only reduced opportunities for people around the world to sell their products to other countries. These tariffs led to further unemployment and business failures worldwide.
EFFECTS OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION
The economic collapse created by the Great Depression had a major impact on the lives of most Americans. Rising unemployment, low wages, limited opportunities for those who did have jobs, and the widespread suffering of so many people during the 1930s made people reevaluate their lives as well as the role of the government.
Lost Savings
People who had savings in the banks were forced to withdraw their money in order to pay off their debts, make the payments on their houses and cars, or simply to buy food. Many banks lost huge sums of money in the stock market crash and could not meet the demands of their customers who wanted to withdraw their money from their accounts. About 9,000 banks failed in the three years after the stock market crash, leaving millions of customers without any of their savings. Businesses and individuals could not borrow money, which made it even harder for businesses to function. Within three years the total value of goods and services produced in the United States fell from $104 billion dollars to about half of that amount.
Unemployment
For many families during the Depression years, the loss of the father ’s job was the start of a long descent into poverty, homelessness, starvation, and hopelessness. In 1925 the unemployment rate had been a low three percent. After the stock market crash of 1929, the unemployment rate jumped to nine percent in 1930 and shot up to 25 percent by 1933. In previous depressions, business had begun to pick up again in a year or two. This time the situation got worse instead of better.
At least 13 million American workers could find no jobs at all. Millions of men who still had jobs were forced to accept salary cuts which reduced their income by 20% or more. Millions of others took any low-paying or temporary jobs they could find, even though the future of these jobs was uncertain. Young people entering the job market—even those with a good education—took any job they could find, and often they could find nothing.
Thousands of men and children tried to make a living shining shoes or selling apples on city streets. A few people who could find no jobs turned to theft or other crimes in order to feed their families. Some teenage boys and girls went to live in the homes of families who needed farm help or help with housework or tending young children. They were paid only with food and a place to sleep. Women who wanted to enter the job market were at a disadvantage because an effort was made to hire men who had families to support, rather than women. Immigrants and blacks were especially hurt by the economic disaster.
At least 13 million American workers could find no jobs at all. Millions of men who still had jobs were forced to accept salary cuts which reduced their income by 20% or more. Millions of others took any low-paying or temporary jobs they could find, even though the future of these jobs was uncertain. Young people entering the job market—even those with a good education—took any job they could find, and often they could find nothing.
Thousands of men and children tried to make a living shining shoes or selling apples on city streets. A few people who could find no jobs turned to theft or other crimes in order to feed their families. Some teenage boys and girls went to live in the homes of families who needed farm help or help with housework or tending young children. They were paid only with food and a place to sleep. Women who wanted to enter the job market were at a disadvantage because an effort was made to hire men who had families to support, rather than women. Immigrants and blacks were especially hurt by the economic disaster.
Riding the Rails
Tens of thousands of teenage boys and a few girls, some as young as 14, left home in order to reduce the financial burden on their parents. It meant fewer mouths to feed in the family. These youth walked or hopped onto freight trains, heading to other communities to look for work. Since almost every town in the U.S. was affected by the economic collapse, they usually had a hard time finding even occasional odd jobs.
Those who regularly rode on freight trains were called hoboes, and their mode of travel was called “riding the rails.” There were also many older men who rode the trains looking for work. In fact, sometimes there were more penniless hoboes riding the train than paying customers in the passenger cars. There were nearly a quarter of a million of these people in 1932.
Those who regularly rode on freight trains were called hoboes, and their mode of travel was called “riding the rails.” There were also many older men who rode the trains looking for work. In fact, sometimes there were more penniless hoboes riding the train than paying customers in the passenger cars. There were nearly a quarter of a million of these people in 1932.
Gaycats and Dingbats
Because they could not afford to pay for a ticket, hoboes learned how to jump on and off railroad boxcars, often while the train was moving. They could be arrested and jailed by the police or railroad cops who patrolled the railroad yards. Experienced hoboes were called dingbats. New hoboes were called gaycats. Many of these desperate men were crushed beneath steel train wheels when they missed a jump. It was a dangerous way to travel.
In some cities, hoboes had makeshift camps called jungles that were located near the railroad tracks. They built shelters out of cardboard boxes, broken furniture, discarded automobiles, and tree branches. At these camps, hoboes shared meals and slept.
In some cities, hoboes had makeshift camps called jungles that were located near the railroad tracks. They built shelters out of cardboard boxes, broken furniture, discarded automobiles, and tree branches. At these camps, hoboes shared meals and slept.
Hoovervilles
Millions of people lost their homes in the Great Depression. Some lost their jobs and could no longer make the house payments to the bank on their loans so their homes were sold at auction. Others lost their jobs and could not afford rent for even the cheapest, most rundown house or apartment.
Families moved in with relatives when they could, but many families had no one to help them. These people ended up living in shacks made from cardboard, discarded wood, scrap metal, and any other materials they could find. They sometimes lived in rusted-out, abandoned automobiles. Many of these shacks were built at the edges of towns, often near a town dump where people could search for food, clothing, and trash which had been thrown away. These neighborhoods of broken down shacks were called Hoovervilles, a reference to President Herbert Hoover. Many people felt that Hoover had not done enough to help ordinary people deal with the economic difficulties they were facing.
Families moved in with relatives when they could, but many families had no one to help them. These people ended up living in shacks made from cardboard, discarded wood, scrap metal, and any other materials they could find. They sometimes lived in rusted-out, abandoned automobiles. Many of these shacks were built at the edges of towns, often near a town dump where people could search for food, clothing, and trash which had been thrown away. These neighborhoods of broken down shacks were called Hoovervilles, a reference to President Herbert Hoover. Many people felt that Hoover had not done enough to help ordinary people deal with the economic difficulties they were facing.
The Necessities of Life
Food was cheap if you had the money , but many people were so poor that starvation and malnutrition were common. Mothers often made soup with whatever they had available. A soup bone, some cabbage, and a few spoiled potatoes had to feed whole families. Although farmers were dumping milk, burning crops, and killing hogs and cattle because prices were so low, children in the United States were regularly going to bed hungry.
Clothes were cheap, too, but not if you had no money. Mothers saved every scrap of cloth and used it to make children’s clothes. Many used animal feed sacks and burlap bags to make dresses, trousers, shirts, and underwear. Many children went barefoot, even in the winter. Others shoved scraps of cardboard into the soles of their worn-out shoes. Newspapers, called Hoover blankets, were often used to keep warm at night, especially by the very poor.
Clothes were cheap, too, but not if you had no money. Mothers saved every scrap of cloth and used it to make children’s clothes. Many used animal feed sacks and burlap bags to make dresses, trousers, shirts, and underwear. Many children went barefoot, even in the winter. Others shoved scraps of cardboard into the soles of their worn-out shoes. Newspapers, called Hoover blankets, were often used to keep warm at night, especially by the very poor.
Trying to Help
In the later years of the Depression, the federal government bought farmers’ goods and gave them to distressed families, but at first the only help people received was from churches, local charities, and the Red Cross. All of these organizations were soon overwhelmed by the needs of the local communities and simply unable to help all the needy people.
Bread Lines
The winter of 1932–1933 was the lowest point of the Great Depression. The Depression had been going on for more than three years, and many Americans were beginning to lose hope. The bread lines, which characterized the Depression, were the longest. Because so many people were out of work and had no money, the only way to avoid starvation was a bread line. Churches, private charities, and some communities set up soup kitchens to feed these destitute men, women, and children. Even Al Capone, an infamous Chicago gangster, financed a soup kitchen.
The food was simple and often consisted of oatmeal or bread for breakfast and bread and soup for dinner. Many bread lines and soup kitchens could only served a limited number of people, and those who were late were turned away.
The food was simple and often consisted of oatmeal or bread for breakfast and bread and soup for dinner. Many bread lines and soup kitchens could only served a limited number of people, and those who were late were turned away.
Shame and Poverty
In the 1920s and 1930s accepting charity from others was considered terribly shameful. Parents—especially fathers—felt that their failure to find work and provide a living reflected badly on them. They blamed themselves for the failure of the system. The fact that millions of people around the country and the world were also suffering did not lessen their sense of personal failure.
Many would not take charity from local groups, the government, or churches despite their families’ needs. Others accepted help but felt forever scarred by their need. Some fathers even committed suicide out of a deep sense of shame.
Many would not take charity from local groups, the government, or churches despite their families’ needs. Others accepted help but felt forever scarred by their need. Some fathers even committed suicide out of a deep sense of shame.
THE DUST BOWL
The Great Plains
The people living on the Great Plains—from the province of Saskatchewan in Canada south through Montana, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Wyoming, Colorado, Oklahoma, and Texas—took a double hit during the Great Depression. Farmers had plowed under the tough prairie grasses which for thousands of years fed the native buffalo of the plains. In place of these grasses, they planted wheat which grew well but needed plenty of rain and good soil to produce bumper crops. Wheat did not hold the topsoil well, and the land was easily eroded by wind and water.
Drought and Insects
Between 1931 and 1937, the Great Plains was hit by a long and brutal drought with virtually no rain. Farmers planted seeds and desperately hoped for rain. The little rain there allowed crops to start growing, but the plants then withered from a lack of more rainfall. Sometimes only a few seeds sprouted, and there were no roots to hold the loose topsoil so the plants could grow. Southern Kansas, the panhandle of western Oklahoma, and northern Texas were especially hard hit and became known as the Dust Bowl.
An insect invasion caused even more problems for farmers. Swarms of grasshoppers swept across thousands of acres, eating every plant in their path and even clothes hanging on the wash line to dry .
An insect invasion caused even more problems for farmers. Swarms of grasshoppers swept across thousands of acres, eating every plant in their path and even clothes hanging on the wash line to dry .
Black Blizzards
The wind usually blows a lot on the plains, but during the Dust Bowl years, there were terrible dust storms called black blizzards. The dust would blow at tremendous speeds and pile up in huge dunes next to houses, barns, and trees. Sometimes the loose dirt buried fences which were six feet high. The endlessly blowing dust seeped into every house through cracks in doors, windows, or boards. Everything inside became covered with a layer of fine dirt. At mealtimes glasses of water or milk had to be covered, or dust would turn the drinks brown. People even covered their food as they ate. People would wake up in the morning and see their pillow covered with a thick layer of dust except where their head had laid. Children and adults covered their faces with wet cloths to help them breathe during these terrible storms.
The wind stripped away the topsoil, making the land on the plains much less fertile and less likely to nurture crops when rain did come. The soil from the plains blew all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, where it even covered ships at sea. Farmers tried to protect their cattle, chickens, and other animals from the dust, but barns were no protection. Most farmers had animals that died or became sick by breathing dust and eating poor food. Farmers and their families gathered weeds and wild plants to try to provide some moisture for their animals. Cows that survived often provided very little milk because of the poor nourishment.
The wind stripped away the topsoil, making the land on the plains much less fertile and less likely to nurture crops when rain did come. The soil from the plains blew all the way to the Atlantic Ocean, where it even covered ships at sea. Farmers tried to protect their cattle, chickens, and other animals from the dust, but barns were no protection. Most farmers had animals that died or became sick by breathing dust and eating poor food. Farmers and their families gathered weeds and wild plants to try to provide some moisture for their animals. Cows that survived often provided very little milk because of the poor nourishment.
Buried Dreams
Many homes had to be shoveled out because the dust was so thick. Brooms could not move the thick piles of dirt. Fences had to be dug out and replaced. Entire farms and towns were buried in mounds of dirt. Cars, horses, cattle, and wagons were often buried. Some children and older people got lost in the storms and died. Unable to grow crops, many farmers lost their farms to the banks that held the loans on the land and buildings.
On the Move
Tens of thousands of families were forced to leave their farms and travel elsewhere to live. Some went to live with relatives, but most families loaded what few possessions they still owned and tried to find work. Over 2 1⁄2 million people left their homes on the plains. Some went to Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Some wandered through the Midwest or headed east hoping for work or even an occasional job for a day or two.
Some families traveled by horse and wagon. A few families had old jalopies, broken-down cars or trucks, on which they loaded their possessions. Many had nothing but hand carts or children’s wagons to carry their clothes and belongings. They walked and pulled or pushed these carts and wagons.
Some families traveled by horse and wagon. A few families had old jalopies, broken-down cars or trucks, on which they loaded their possessions. Many had nothing but hand carts or children’s wagons to carry their clothes and belongings. They walked and pulled or pushed these carts and wagons.
Westward Migration
People from Oklahoma and Texas especially struggled to survive. Over one million people headed for California, where they hoped to find jobs working on farms or picking crops. They traveled across the southwestern states to California any way they could. Those with vehicles drove until they ran out of gas and then waited until kind strangers drove by and let them take a few gallons of gas out of their tank. Sometimes an entire family would push its old truck, car, or wagon up hills and along roads. Other people walked or got occasional rides from strangers as they headed west.
These travelers kept clean as best they could by washing in ditches. In order to survive they ate coffee grounds, carrot tops, apple cores, and garbage they got from farms or town dumps along the way. They were poor and desperate, and many communities just wanted them to move on. This was one of the largest migrations, or movement, of people across the country in American history.
These travelers kept clean as best they could by washing in ditches. In order to survive they ate coffee grounds, carrot tops, apple cores, and garbage they got from farms or town dumps along the way. They were poor and desperate, and many communities just wanted them to move on. This was one of the largest migrations, or movement, of people across the country in American history.
Moving West
When these weary travelers reached the West, they tried to start over. In Oregon they cut trees. In Washington they helped build dams. In Idaho they settled on abandoned land.
In California these families camped wherever they could. They made shacks of cardboard and tin, slept under bridges, or camped in the bottoms of dry rivers or lakes. California offered few opportunities. Some families were able to find work as migrant laborers, picking crops for large produce farms. They faced competition from Mexican and Japanese migrant workers as well. An entire family sometimes made only a few dollars a week.
Most of these people had no place to go, no food for their families, no gas for their vehicles, and no hope for work. Children lived on lard sandwiches, boiled cabbage, and corn bread if they were lucky. The water supply, whether from streams or ditches, quickly became polluted because it was used for drinking, washing clothes, bathing, and a toilet.
Contagious diseases and infections were very common. Mosquitoes and other insects spread disease too. During the rainy season, the camps were muddy and filthy. Many children and older people died from malnutrition, illness, and injuries.
A few migrants returned to the Dust Bowl, but most stayed in the West and hoped for the best. The federal government’s efforts to end the Depression gave many of these people a chance at a new life. The New Deal that President Franklin D. Roosevelt set up finally offered hope for these migrants.
In California these families camped wherever they could. They made shacks of cardboard and tin, slept under bridges, or camped in the bottoms of dry rivers or lakes. California offered few opportunities. Some families were able to find work as migrant laborers, picking crops for large produce farms. They faced competition from Mexican and Japanese migrant workers as well. An entire family sometimes made only a few dollars a week.
Most of these people had no place to go, no food for their families, no gas for their vehicles, and no hope for work. Children lived on lard sandwiches, boiled cabbage, and corn bread if they were lucky. The water supply, whether from streams or ditches, quickly became polluted because it was used for drinking, washing clothes, bathing, and a toilet.
Contagious diseases and infections were very common. Mosquitoes and other insects spread disease too. During the rainy season, the camps were muddy and filthy. Many children and older people died from malnutrition, illness, and injuries.
A few migrants returned to the Dust Bowl, but most stayed in the West and hoped for the best. The federal government’s efforts to end the Depression gave many of these people a chance at a new life. The New Deal that President Franklin D. Roosevelt set up finally offered hope for these migrants.
EDUCATION DURING THE DEPRESSION
School Taxes
The education of young children was severely affected by the Great Depression. Schools were paid for from local property taxes on homes and businesses. So many businesses and factories were closed and so many people lost their homes that tax revenues in local communities were often cut by more than half. There was no help available from the federal government, and the states had even less tax money to work with.
Cutting Expenses
Local school districts did everything they could to cut expenses. They hired fewer teachers and put more students in classrooms, sometimes as many as 50 or 60 in one class. Desks and textbooks were not purchased. Many children sat on the floor or shared a desk and a chair. Children shared textbooks and often used old or torn books. Kindergartens were cut from schools.
In small towns, children attended a one-room schoolhouse where one teacher taught all ages from 6 to 15 as well as taught all subjects. Special classes such as home economics, physical education, and foreign languages were cut to save money. Teachers concentrated on reading, writing, and arithmetic at both the elementary and high school levels.
School nurses were not rehired even though many children were suffering from disease, infection, and severe malnutrition caused by a lack of proper food. Most children never saw a doctor to get medical treatment, and the lack of school nurses only made the spreading of contagious diseases worse.
In small towns, children attended a one-room schoolhouse where one teacher taught all ages from 6 to 15 as well as taught all subjects. Special classes such as home economics, physical education, and foreign languages were cut to save money. Teachers concentrated on reading, writing, and arithmetic at both the elementary and high school levels.
School nurses were not rehired even though many children were suffering from disease, infection, and severe malnutrition caused by a lack of proper food. Most children never saw a doctor to get medical treatment, and the lack of school nurses only made the spreading of contagious diseases worse.
Missing School
Many children simply could not afford to attend public school. Parents could not buy decent clothes for their children. Some students who did attend school wore rags, shirts or dresses made from sacks, and worn out coats.
Schools often required students to furnish their own school supplies, which caused many children to drop out of school. Families had no money for food, let alone school supplies, so some children never went to school—even in the earliest grades.
Schools often required students to furnish their own school supplies, which caused many children to drop out of school. Families had no money for food, let alone school supplies, so some children never went to school—even in the earliest grades.
Interrupted Schooling
Many children in grades four through eight missed school because they had to stay home and care for younger children. Others worked on farms to help the family survive. Some families became migrant farm workers, and even the youngest children picked crops to add to the family income. Sometimes there was no school to attend.
Many schools closed early every year or opened for only two or three months in the winter. By 1933 many public schools were closed, and at least three million children had no school to attend. Many students did not attend high school.
Many schools closed early every year or opened for only two or three months in the winter. By 1933 many public schools were closed, and at least three million children had no school to attend. Many students did not attend high school.
Teachers
More than 7,000 teachers lost their jobs during the Great Depression. Thousandsof others barely made ends meet. Most teachers endured severe cuts in pay and had few if any benefits. More women teachers were hired because they could be paid less than men for doing the same job. Classes increased in size, and teachers were not paid if school was closed early.
Some districts were so strapped for cash that they paid teachers in scrip, a form of local paper money which could only be spent in local stores. In some rural districts, teachers lived in the schoolhouse and cooked their meals on the wood stove. Their pay was only a place to live and donated food.
Some districts were so strapped for cash that they paid teachers in scrip, a form of local paper money which could only be spent in local stores. In some rural districts, teachers lived in the schoolhouse and cooked their meals on the wood stove. Their pay was only a place to live and donated food.
Dust Bowl Children in California
Migrant children from the Dust Bowl who went to school in California were at a severe disadvantage. They had missed a lot of school at home and lost more on the journey west. They were often tired and listless at school because they had such poor nutrition, and some children had trouble staying awake in class.
These children were considered difficult to teach and either lazy or stupid. Some people thought these children were mentally retarded. Children from Oklahoma and Texas spoke with accents that were hard for many California teachers and students to understand. Local children teased them because of their clothes, looks, accents, and poor achievement in school.
These children were considered difficult to teach and either lazy or stupid. Some people thought these children were mentally retarded. Children from Oklahoma and Texas spoke with accents that were hard for many California teachers and students to understand. Local children teased them because of their clothes, looks, accents, and poor achievement in school.
"Okies"
So many people migrated from Oklahoma that they were referred to as Okies. The term was often used in a negative way and implied that these migrants were poor, lazy, and uneducated. The images of people from the Dust Bowl were further reinforced in John Steinbeck’s classic book The Grapes of Wrath, songs by Woody Guthrie, and photographs taken by Dorothea Lange. However, in recent years the term “Okie” has taken on a new meaning. It has become a badge of honor to many people from Oklahoma, a symbol of their ability to survive.
THE NEW DEAL
Hoover's Policies
The Great Depression had severe, long-term effects on the lives of most Americans. Before the Depression, people believed that businesses would automatically provide good products and services at low prices without being regulated by the government. The collapse of the economy in 1929 made people realize that action was needed to correct the problems.
President Hoover strongly believed that the government should leave business alone and just let the Depression take its course. He did try to help businesses by pressing for higher tariffs to protect American businesses from foreign competition. This policy backfired, however. It led to high tariffs in other countries, which made it difficult for American businessmen and farmers to sell their products to other countries.
Hoover was able to convince Congress to establish the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1932. This agency lent money to banks, railroads, and major corporations to prevent an even deeper economic collapse. But on the whole, Americans were unhappy with Hoover’s approach, and in 1932 they elected Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt as president.
President Hoover strongly believed that the government should leave business alone and just let the Depression take its course. He did try to help businesses by pressing for higher tariffs to protect American businesses from foreign competition. This policy backfired, however. It led to high tariffs in other countries, which made it difficult for American businessmen and farmers to sell their products to other countries.
Hoover was able to convince Congress to establish the Reconstruction Finance Corporation in 1932. This agency lent money to banks, railroads, and major corporations to prevent an even deeper economic collapse. But on the whole, Americans were unhappy with Hoover’s approach, and in 1932 they elected Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt as president.
The 100 Days
Franklin Roosevelt brought an energy and sense of hope to the nation. Roosevelt and his advisors believed the Depression could not be cured without strong intervention from the federal government. His inaugural speech set the tone for his administration. He declared that the only thing Americans had to fear was fear itself. To ease those fears, he set out to get Congress to act on a series of proposals in the first 100 days of his presidency. Roosevelt wanted to provide a “New Deal” for the American people.
Bank Holidays
One of the actions Roosevelt took was to close all of the banks in the United States, calling it a “bank holiday.” Bank inspectors were brought in to examine the records of each bank, and only banks that were properly run were allowed to reopen. Roosevelt also convinced Congress to set up the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to regulate bank operations and insure bank deposits so that widespread bank failures would not occur again. The government wanted to guarantee that the money customers deposited in a bank insured by the FDIC was protected and would be available when needed.
Alphabet Agencies Provide Relief
President Roosevelt recognized how desperate people were, and he worked to set up programs to help the needy. These programs, such as the CCC and WPA, were commonly referred to by the first letters in each word, so they were called Alphabet Agencies.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established to provide work for millions of unemployed young men. These men were paid to work on all types of conservation projects in local communities and on federally owned land. They planted trees, cleared underbrush, and built roads and dams.
The Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA) was created to give money to states to be distributed to the needy. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were established by Congress to provide construction jobs for the unemployed and to build needed public facilities. Many existing post offices, government buildings, schools, dams, bridges, highways, sewer systems, water pipelines, and other projects in the U.S. were built in the 1930s by these agencies. Some boondoggles, or useless jobs, were also created to keep people employed.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was established to provide work for millions of unemployed young men. These men were paid to work on all types of conservation projects in local communities and on federally owned land. They planted trees, cleared underbrush, and built roads and dams.
The Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA) was created to give money to states to be distributed to the needy. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) were established by Congress to provide construction jobs for the unemployed and to build needed public facilities. Many existing post offices, government buildings, schools, dams, bridges, highways, sewer systems, water pipelines, and other projects in the U.S. were built in the 1930s by these agencies. Some boondoggles, or useless jobs, were also created to keep people employed.
National Recovery
Roosevelt wanted to encourage business as well as support a system of fair wages for workers. The National Recovery Act (NRA) was introduced to enforce fair hiring and labor practices and to encourage and support business activity. Businesses across America posted the NRA logo as a sign of their support.
The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) limited farm production and was passed to help raise farm prices. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established to help people in the rural areas of the South by building dams and providing inexpensive electricity to areas where electric power had not yet reached. These spending projects pumped money into the economy, which helped businesses and encouraged job growth.
The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) limited farm production and was passed to help raise farm prices. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was established to help people in the rural areas of the South by building dams and providing inexpensive electricity to areas where electric power had not yet reached. These spending projects pumped money into the economy, which helped businesses and encouraged job growth.
Preventing Future Depressions
The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) was started to protect workers from being treated unfairly by companies. It also helped struggling labor unions get the right to organize workers. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) was created to protect investors from unfair or illegal actions by those selling stocks and bonds. The Social Security Act set up the first national retirement system for all Americans. Its main purpose was to make sure that people would have money to live on in their old age.
President Roosevelt’s greatest accomplishment, however, was the sense of confidence he brought to America and his success at raising the nation’s morale. His New Deal did indeed give Americans a sense that the future would be brighter.
President Roosevelt’s greatest accomplishment, however, was the sense of confidence he brought to America and his success at raising the nation’s morale. His New Deal did indeed give Americans a sense that the future would be brighter.
101 TERMS, EVENTS, & PEOPLE TO KNOW
- administration: the executive branch of the government including the president, vice president, and the cabinet
- agricultural: farming of produce or livestock
- Al Capone: the Chicago gangster who broke prohibition laws but provided a soup kitchen for the poor during the Great Depression
- Alphabet Agencies: President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Programs that were commonly referred to by the first letters in each word
- artificially: something that is not real or something that is made to do something that it is not normally supposed to do
- auction: a public sale at which things are sold to the people who offer to pay the most
- bank holiday: when FDR closed all of the banks in the United States to bring in bank inspectors to examine the records of each bank, and only banks that were properly run were allowed to reopen
- bank inspectors: people whose job it is to audit bank records by checking the accuracy of transactions logs, determining the bank's worth, and evaluating whether it is making a profit
- bankrupt: the inability to pay one's debs
- Black Blizzards: dust storms in the Great Plains that would turn everything black with dust
- Black Thursday: October 24, 1929 - when stock prices plummeted and vast numbers of people were selling their stocks until the panic subsided later in the afternoon when a group of bankers pooled their money and invested a large sum back into the stock market and their willingness to invest their own money in the stock market convinced others to stop sellingOn "Black Thursday," 12.9 million shares were sold - double the previous record.
- Black Tuesday: October 29, 1929 - known as the worst day in stock market history when there were so many orders to sell that the ticker quickly fell behind, causing people to panic and try to sell their stocks quickly. Since everyone was selling and nearly no one was buying, stock prices collapsed. The problem got even worse, when rumors that investors in banks were also selling, and caused a huge panic where a new record of 16.4 million shares of stock were sold
- bond: an official document in which a government or company promises to pay back an amount of money that it has borrowed and to pay interest for the borrowed money
- boondoggles: an expensive and wasteful project usually paid for with public money
- bumper plants: a very big harvest yielded for one crop
- confidence: a feeling or belief that you can do something well or succeed at something
- conservation: the careful use of natural resources (such as trees, oil, etc.) to prevent them from being lost or wasted
- contagious: having a sickness that can be passed to someone else by touching
- debts: an amount of money that you owe to a person, bank, company, etc.
- deposit: to put money in a bank account
- descent: moving downward
- destitute: someone who is extremely poor
- dingbats: hoboes who were experienced in jumping out of the boxcars of moving freight trains
- Dorothea Lange: famous American photographer and photojournalist, best known for her Depression-era work for the Farm Security Administration
- drought: a long period of time during which there is very little or no rain
- dunes: a hill of sand near an ocean or in a desert that is formed by the wind
- Dust Bowl: severe dust storms in the 1930s in the semiarid lands of Southern Kansas, the panhandle of western Oklahoma, and northern Texas because the surface soil was exposed to wind erosion
- economic depression: a bad economy that lasts two or more years and is characterized by huge increases in unemployment, a drop in available credit, less production, bankruptcies, reduced trade and commerce, and a drop in currency values causing consumer confidence and investments to decrease which shuts down the economy
- economic disaster: an event characterized by an economic depression, civil unrest and highly increased poverty levels usually caused by a stock market crash and requiring government intervention to bring the economy back
- economic collapse: A complete breakdown of a national, regional or territorial economy; essentially a severe economic depression, where an economy is in complete distress for months, years or possibly even decades
- eroded: to gradually destroy (something) or to be gradually destroyed by natural forces (such as water, wind, or ice) foreign competition
- Franklin D. Roosevelt: The President of the United States who created and put into action, the New Deal, which was a large group of legislation designed to better the U.S. economy during the Great Depression, He was famous for saying, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself."
- foreign competition: business rivalries between the U.S. and two or more other nations to be the first to get sales, profits, and market shares on products sold in the U.S. by offering the best possible combination of price, quality, and service
- The Great Depression: a period in U.S. History beginning after the Stock Market Crash of 1929 and lasting a decade that was the deepest and longest-lasting economic shut down in the history of the industrialized world and where huge numbers of people went bankrupt and much of the nation was unemployed and financially struggling
- Henry Ford: the inventor of the Model T, the first manufactured car that was affordable for the average person who innovated manufacturing by utilizing the assembly line method of production; he was one of the few people who did well enough during the Great Depression that he was able to pay his employees decent wages
- Herbert Hoover: the President of the United States during the first part of the Great Depression that did not believe that the government should interfere with the economy and ultimately caused the Depression to get worse
- hoboes: men who hopped on fright train box cars and travelled to different areas looking for work
- Hoover blankets: newspapers used as blankets by people living in Hoovervilles during the Great Depression
- Hoovervilles: neighborhoods of broken down shacks made from cardboard, discarded wood, scrap metal, and any other materials people could find, built at the edges of towns, often near a town dump where people could search for food, clothing, and trash which had been thrown away
- inaugural: an official ceremony or celebration for the President at the beginning of his term
- industrialized: nations that have established an economy based on industries
- insured: an agreement in which a person makes regular payments to a company and the company promises to pay money if the person is injured or dies, or to pay money equal to the value of something (such as a house or car) if it is damaged, lost, or stolen
- intervention: an action taken to improve a situation
- investing: process of paying money for an an item of value, such as stock in a company, that is expected to produce more money by selling it at a later time
- investments: the total amount of money that is spent on an item, such as stock in a company, that is expected to produce more money by selling it at a later time
- jalopies: broken-down cars or trucks, that people lived out of in the Great Depression
- John Steinbeck: author of the book the Grapes of Wrath that illustrated the problems experienced by people living in the Dust Bowl
- jungles: hobo camps located near the railroad tracks with shelters made out of cardboard boxes, broken furniture, discarded automobiles, and tree branches, where hoboes shared meals and slept
- malnutrition: the unhealthy condition that results from not eating enough food or not eating enough healthy food
- margin: when people borrowed money to buy stock believing they can sell it at a higher price and make a profit without using their own money
- migrations: to move from one country, place, or locality to another
- morale: the feelings of enthusiasm and loyalty that a person or group has about a task or job
- The New Deal: the legislative and administrative program of President F. D. Roosevelt designed to promote economic recovery and social reform during the 1930s
- New York Stock Exchange: A largest stock exchange in the world located in New York City
- nourishment: food and other things that are needed for health, growth, etc.
- Okies: a migrant farmer from Oklahoma in the 1930s
- panhandle: a part of a land area (such as a state) that is narrow and sticks out from a larger area making it look like the handle on a frying pan
- Calvin Coolidge: Conservative U.S. President in the 1920s that said, “The business of America is business,” meaning that everything else was less important.
- Profit: money that is made in a business after all the costs and expenses are paid
- property taxes: A tax on land, including the yard your home is on, by the local government, usually based on the value of the property. It is mainly used by cities for repairing roads, building schools and snow removal, or other similar services.
- proposals: something (such as a plan or suggestion) that is presented to a person or group of people to consider
- prosperity: the state of being successful usually by making a lot of money
- public facilities: a government building
- Reconstruction Finance Corporation: a loan approved by Herbert Hoover giving two billion dollars to businesses, banks, and state governments to stimulate the American economy during the Great Depression; It was not nearly enough and did very little for the economy
- Red Cross: a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief and education inside the United States
- reevaluate: to consider again especially with the possibility of change
- retirement: the act of ending your working or professional career
- scrip: a form of local paper money which could only be spent in local stores
- Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930: the highest tariff in American History with the purpose to increase sales of U.S. products by raising the cost of imported goods with a tariff, but instead led to an international trade war as other nations raised their tariffs in response which made the depression worse
- speculation: ideas or guesses about investment opportunities in which someone buys and sells things (such as stocks or pieces of property) in the hope of making a large profit but with the risk of a large loss
- speculators: a trader who approaches the financial markets with the intention to make a profit by buying low and selling high
- stock market: The market in which shares of publicly held companies are issued and traded either through exchanges or over-the-counter markets.
- stocks: a share of the value of a company which can be bought, sold, or traded as an investment
- suicide: when a person kills his or her self
- tariffs: a tax on imports, goods coming into a country
- The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): limited farm production and was passed to help raise farm prices and was established to help people in the rural areas of the South by building dams and providing inexpensive electricity to areas where electric power had not yet reached.
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): gave jobs to more than two million young men in environmental improvement projects, especially the National Park System was established to provide work for millions of unemployed young men. These men were paid to work on all types of conservation projects in local communities and on federally owned land. They planted trees, cleared underbrush, and built roads and dams.
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): insured bank deposits up to $5,000 and eliminated the fear of bank failures
- The Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA): was created to give money to states to be distributed to the needy gave money to local and state relief organizations
- The National Labor Relations Board (NLRB): was started to protect workers from being treated unfairly by companies. It also helped struggling labor unions and guaranteed workers the right to join labor unions and call strikes
- The National Recovery Act (NRA): was introduced to enforce fair hiring and labor practices and to encourage and support business activity. Businesses across America posted the NRA logo as a sign of their support.
- The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): was created to protect investors from unfair or illegal actions by those selling stocks and bonds.
- The Social Security Act: set up the first national retirement system for all Americans. Its main purpose was to make sure that people would have money to live on in their old age.
- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): provided funding for the development of the Tennessee River Valley; taught farmers better farming techniques
- The Works Progress Administration (WPA): were established by Congress to provide construction jobs for the unemployed and to build needed public facilities. Many existing post offices, government buildings, schools, dams, bridges, highways, sewer systems, water pipelines, and other projects in the U.S. were built in the 1930s by these agencies.
- unemployment: the total number of people who do not have jobs in a particular place or area
- unemployment rate: a measure of the prevalence of people who do not have a job and it is calculated as a percentage by dividing the number of unemployed individuals by all individuals currently in the labor force. During the Depression, the unemployment rate was very high; in 1933 it was 25%
- withdraw: to take money out of a bank account
- Woody Guthrie: an American singer-songwriter and folk musician whose musical legacy includes hundreds of political, traditional and children's songs, ballads and improvised works - including This Land Is Your Land, This Land Is My Land.