the great depression and new deal (1929 – 1941)
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Great Depression Begins. The Great Depression and New Deal (1929 – 1941). The Economy of the Late 1920’s. 1928 Election showed faith in the Republican Party. Herbert Hoover defeated Al Smith (D). - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
THE GREAT DEPRESSION AND NEW
DEAL (1929 – 1941)
Great Depression Begins
The Economy of the Late 1920’s 1928 Election showed faith in the Republican
Party. Herbert Hoover defeated Al Smith (D). Welfare Capitalism – Employers undermined
labor unions by giving more benefits to workers. Wages up more than 40% and unemployment was under 4%. Consumption was up and American confidence was up.
1925 Stock Market = $25 Billion by Oct. 1929 = $87 Billion! “Everyone could be rich if they invested $15/ week for 20 years = $400 per month income until they died! “
FARMERS STRUGGLE No industry suffered as
much as agriculture During World War I
European demand for American crops soared
After the war demand plummeted
Farmers increased production sending prices further downward
Photo by Dorothea Lange
CONSUMER SPENDING DOWN
By the late 1920s, American consumers were buying less
Rising prices, stagnant wages and overbuying on credit were to blame
Most people did not have the money to buy the flood of goods factories produced
GAP BETWEEN RICH & POOR
The gap between rich and poor widened
The wealthiest 1% saw their income rise 75%
The rest of the population saw an increase of only 9%
More than 70% of American families earned less than $2500 per year
Photo by Dorothea Lange
HOOVER WINS 1928 ELECTION
Republican Herbert Hoover ran against Democrat Alfred E. Smith in the 1928 election
Hoover emphasized years of prosperity under Republican administrations
Hoover won an overwhelming victory
Young Hoover supporter in 1928
1. The Rich got Richer and the Poor became less Poor! 0.1% of Americans
had incomes over $100,000 & they had over 34% of all savings accounts.
71% of families earned $2500/ yr. or less.
Workers were 40% more productive, but paid only 8% better!
1% made $10,000 +/ yr.
2. Easy Credit Hides the Gap Between the Rich and Poor – temporarily!
Buying on Time and Installment Plans allowed people to spend money they didn’t have and people lived beyond their means (radios, cars, appliances, etc.)!
Personal Debt Skyrocketed during the 1920’s!
3. Speculation on Stocks in the Bull Market of the 1920’s!
Easy Credit led to Buying on Margin – 10% - 50% per share of stock up front and borrow the rest at high interest!
Very risky, but as long as prices rose it was win/ win for everyone!
Brokers could call in margins anytime.
Led to inflation of stock prices!
4. Overproduction Led to Layoffs! Overproduction
caused many durable goods to stockpile in warehouses!
The auto industry began to slump after 1925 and related industries suffered too.
Massive layoffs of workers resulted!
Banks were hurt too!
5. Farmers Suffered Earlier and More Often During the 1920’s!
Farm prices fell from lofty heights after WW I (1914 – 1918)!
One-fourth of America’s workers were farmers!
Farmers often had to overextend on credit to survive.
6000 Rural Banks before the 1929 Crash!
Farmers too overproduced!
Exit Slip – Causes of the Depression1. T or F: Stock prices rose steadily during the
1920’s.2. T or F: Most American families earned more
than $2500 a year during the 1920’s.3. T or F: Credit was harder to get for most
Americans during the 1920’s.4. T or F: Farmers prospered during the 1920’s
as they had during WW I as farm prices continued to rise throughout the decade.