THE GREAT DEPRESSION (1929-33)

Définition

1929 : Agricultural Act

First major program to help farmers maintain prices money was lent to buy seeds and food

1929 : Black Tuesday

US stock market crashed ; first visible sign of the great depression

1932 : Bonus Army

Gathering of veterans demanding bonus payment for wartime services to alleviate economic hardship of the great depression Group of 43 000 demonstrators made up of 17 000 veterans of the United States in World War I together with their families and affiliated groups

1930s : Dusrt Bowl

drought-stricken Southern Plains regions of the US severe dust storms during a dry period a third of US farmers lost their lands

1930 : Tariff Act

raised import duties to protect US business and farmers increase protection on farm products

1929-40 : Hoovervilles

shanty town built during the great depression by homeless named after Hoover because he was widely blamed for it ; John Steinbeck ? novels bear difficult living conditions of US working class after the crisis

"Okies"

family from the Dust Bowl, travel to California for better conditions, worked as agricultural migrants - Okie ? refers to a resident or native of Oklahoma

Popular Front

coalition of "anti-fascist" groups (leftwing) - American Communist party is the most important ? unrelentic critic of American capitalism and government

1932-57 : Reconstruction Finance Corporation

government agency whose purpose was to provide federal loans to troubled banks, railroads and financial institutions

March 1931 : Scottboro case

9 Black teens accused of rape aboard a train, medical evidence that was false all-white jury sentenced them to death

A retenir :

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place mostly during the 1930s, beginning in the USA. The timing of the Great Depression varied around the world. In most countries, it started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. It was the longest, deepest and most widespread depression of the 20th century. The Great Depression is commonly used as an example of how intensely the global economy can decline.

A retenir :

Key dates :

1929 : The Wall Street crash sparks the depression

1930 : The Dust Bowls Begin

1931 : Food riots and banks collapse

1932 : President Roosevelt is elected

1933 : The New Deal begins

1935 : American Communist Party proclaims Popular Front

1936 : Roosevelt’s second term

1938 : Economic growth

1939 : Beginning of WW2

1941 : USA enters the war