Blog/The Great Depression
#TheGreatDepression
The Great Depression
Every Historical Conquest article on The Great Depression — 32 pieces of narrative history written for students and teachers.
1. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The End of the Roaring Twenties (1920–1929)
America After World War IWhile much of Europe struggled to rebuild cities, industries, and governments damaged by years of war, Americans looked toward a future filled wi
33 min
1. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: The End of the Roaring Twenties (1920–1929)
My Name is Henry Ford: Automobile Manufacturer and Industrial PioneerMany people know me as the man who helped put America on wheels. During the Roaring Twenties, million
44 min
2. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The Crash of 1929
The Stock Market Before the CrashThe Stock Market Before the Crash was one of the most exciting and talked-about parts of American life during the Roaring Twenties. As th
42 min
2. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: The Crash of 1929
My Name is Irving Fisher: Economist and ProfessorI am Irving Fisher, an economist, professor, inventor, and writer. During my lifetime, many people considered me one of t
42 min
3. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: The Banking Crisis (1929–1933)
My Name is Eugene Meyer: Banker, Publisher, and Chairman of the ReserveI spent my life in finance, public service, and journalism. I was born in Los Angeles, California,
41 min
3. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The Banking Crisis (1929–1933)
How Banks Worked Before the CrisisBefore Americans could understand why thousands of banks failed during the Great Depression, they first needed to understand how banks w
35 min
4. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: Unemployment and Poverty (1929–1933)
My Name is Harry Hopkins: Social Worker and Relief AdministratorI was born in Iowa in 1890 and grew up believing that people should help one another when times became dif
37 min
4. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: Unemployment and Poverty (1929–1933)
From Prosperity to HardshipDuring the 1920s, many Americans believed they were living in an age of endless prosperity. Factories produced automobiles, radios, refrigerato
33 min
5. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: Life During the Great Depression: Survival
My Name is Jane Addams: Social Reformer and Settlement House FounderI was born in 1860 in Cedarville, Illinois, into a prosperous family. My father was a successful busin
36 min
5. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: Life During the Great Depression: Survival
The American Family Under PressureBetween 1929 and 1933, millions of families faced lost jobs, disappearing savings, and an uncertain future. While newspapers reported ba
33 min
6. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: The Dust Bowl (1929–1933)
My Name is Hugh Hammond Bennett: Father of Soil ConservationI devoted my life to studying soil and teaching Americans how to protect it. I was born in North Carolina in 1
40 min
6. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The Dust Bowl (1929–1933)
The Great Plains Before the Dust BowlLong before towering clouds of dust swept across the region, these vast grasslands were known as one of the most promising agricultur
35 min
7. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: Media Angle, Propoganda, and Public Morale
My Name is Walter Lippmann: Journalist and Political CommentatorI am a journalist, political commentator, and author who spent my life trying to explain the complicated w
38 min
7. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: Media Angle, Propaganda, and Public Morale
The Power of the Media During a National CrisisWhen the stock market crashed in 1929 and the Great Depression spread across the United States, millions of Americans sudde
39 min
8. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: President Herbert Hoover and the Early Response (1929–1933)
President Herbert Hoover Before the PresidencyLong before Herbert Hoover entered the White House, he had already built one of the most remarkable careers of any future Am
41 min
8. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: President Herbert Hoover and the Early Response (1929–1933)
My Name is Herbert Hoover: 31st President of the United StatesI was born in Iowa in 1874 and lost both of my parents while I was still a child. Those difficult years taug
38 min
9. Lessons from the Great Depression: The Election of 1932 and the Rise of Franklin D. Roosevelt
America Demands a New DirectionBy 1932, the United States faced one of the darkest moments in its history. What had begun with the stock market crash of 1929 had grown in
37 min
9. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The Election of 1932 and the Rise of Franklin D. Roosevelt
My Name is Francis E. Townsend: Reform Advocate, and Townsend Plan CreatorI was born in 1867 in Illinois during a time when America was still rebuilding after the Civil W
43 min
10. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The New Deal Programs (1933–1939)
My Name is Harold L. Ickes: Interior Secretary and Champion of the New DealI served as the United States Secretary of the Interior under President Franklin D. Roosevelt f
49 min
10. Lessons from the Great Depression: The New Deal Programs (1933–1939)
The Deal That Changed America... Or Did It?[A patriotic song is playing in the background and fades off with the voice of the host]Host: Ladies and gentlemen, today we're
45 min
11. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: The Debate Over the New Deal
My Name is Felix Frankfurter: Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme CourtI was born in Vienna, Austria, in 1882, but my family immigrated to New York City when I was stil
43 min
11. Lessons from the Great Depression: The Debate Over the New Deal
Why the New Deal Sparked a National DebateImagine watching your savings disappear overnight, your neighbors lose their jobs, and families lining up for bread simply to su
39 min
12. Lesson Plans from the Great Depression: Friends and Foes: Nations That Turned Toward Fascism
My Name is Konrad Adenauer: Mayor of Cologne and Democracy DefenderI was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1876, and from a young age I believed that strong communities were b
39 min
12. Lessons from the Great Depression: Friends and Foes of Democracy: Nations That Turned Toward Germany and F
Democracy Under PressureThe Great Depression did more than empty bank accounts and close businesses—it tested the strength of democratic governments around the world. Thr
43 min
13. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: Culture and Entertainment During Hard Times
My Name is Jack Benny: Radio Comedian and EntertainerFor much of my life people knew me as the fellow who could make them laugh over the radio, on stage, and later on tel
44 min
13. Lessons from the Great Depression: Culture and Entertainment During Hard Times
Why Entertainment Mattered During the Great DepressionDuring the Great Depression, millions of families faced challenges they had never imagined. Jobs disappeared, banks
39 min
14. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: The Great Depression Around the World
My Name is John Maynard Keynes: Economist, and Modern Economic ArchitectI was born in Cambridge, England, in 1883. I entered a world where ideas were treated with the sam
43 min
14. Lessons from the Great Depression: The Great Depression Around the World
A Worldwide Economic CrisisWhat began with the dramatic crash of the U.S. stock market in October 1929 quickly became a global financial emergency because the world's eco
37 min
15. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: Rise of Fascism (Politics, Rearmament, and International Tens
My Name is Benito Mussolini: Founder of Fascism and Dictator of ItalyI am a man who believed that nations rise or fall by the strength of their will. Some called me Il Du
48 min
15. Lessons from the Great Depression: Rise of Fascism (Politics, Rearmament, and International Tensions)
The Weakness of Democracy After the Great DepressionAcross Europe during the 1930s, millions of people lost faith in democratic governments that seemed unable to solve ma
42 min
16. Heroes and Villains of the Great Depression: From Depression to World War
My Name is Joseph Stalin: Leader of the Soviet UnionI ruled the Soviet Union during some of the most dangerous years of the twentieth century. I was born in 1878 in the t
39 min
16. Lessons from the Great Depression: From Depression to World War
From Economic Crisis to Military RecoveryThroughout the Great Depression, millions of workers remained unemployed, factories stood idle, and businesses closed their doors
34 min