The Great Depression: Causes, Effects, and Key Events

The Great Depression

Dust Bowl

• A period of severe dust storms and drought that affected the Great Plains region (1930-1936)
• Caused by poor farming practices, severe drought, and strong winds
• Led to massive migration of people from affected areas to other parts of the country (e.g., California)
• Had a devastating impact on agriculture and the economy

Harlem Renaissance

• A cultural and artistic movement that took place in Harlem, New York City (1920s-1930s)
• Characterized by a flourishing of African American culture, literature, music, and art
• Notable figures: Langston Hughes, Zora Neale Hurston, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith
• Provided a sense of community and cultural identity for African Americans during the Great Depression

Stock Market Crash

• Occurred on Black Tuesday (October 29, 1929)
• Triggered the Great Depression by causing a sharp decline in investments and consumer spending
• Led to a massive loss of wealth, resulting in widespread unemployment and business failures

The New Deal and African Americans

• A series of programs, projects, and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1938)
• Aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to those affected by the Great Depression
• Included programs specifically benefiting African Americans, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Federal Theatre Project
• However, many New Deal programs were discriminatory, excluding African Americans from benefits or providing limited access

Effects of the Great Depression

• Unemployment rates soared, reaching 25% in 1933
• Over 9,000 banks failed, wiping out millions of dollars in savings
• Homelessness and poverty became widespread, with many people living in shantytowns (Hoovervilles)
• The global economy was severely impacted, leading to a decline in international trade and relations
• Lasted for over a decade, until the onset of World War II (1939)