Tuesday, January 12th

dvanced American History

1.  Quiz #1 -- Causes of the Great Depression

2.  The remainder of the class is focused on providing support for the following thesis:

In the depths of the Great Depression in 1932, the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt ushered in an era of unprecedented federal activism and involvement in the economy and in doing so, changed the expectations of American citizens about the proper role of the federal government in times of economic crisis.

To do so, we began by examining Herbert Hoover's response to the economic crisis.  His response was characterized by volunteerism, trickle-down economics, and a refusal to provide direct relief for citizens.  

Finally, we began to contrast this approach with FDR's after the election of 1932.  Primary source support can be found in his first inaugural.  Audio of the speech can be found here:

Text and Audio of FDR's first inaugural address

Assignment:  Finish NHD style organizer.  In class tomorrow we will continue with FDR's philosophies in action with an analysis of the New Deal.

Monday, January 11th

Advanced American History

The focus of class today was the identification of the complex causes of the Great Depression and Stock Market Collapse.  Particular attention was given to uneven distribution of wealth, easy credit and unbalanced trade as being three substantial flaws in the late twenties economy that results in economic collapse.

Assignment:  Read Ch. 11.3  (Hoover's Response Fails).  Answer questions on handout in preparation for class tomorrow.  Quiz Tuesday.

American Studies

Early this week, we will be viewing the film Cinderella Man.  This is the true story of a boxer named James J. Braddock, whose experience through the late twenties and into the Great Depression mirrors that of many Americans. 

Below is the actual footage of the 15th round of the championship bout between James Braddock and Max Baer.

Friday, January 8th

Advanced American Studies

To introduce the Great Depression, we examined about 20 minutes of video from the series "The Century:  America's Time."  To begin our study of the Depression, this clip explained just how bad it got.  America faced an unemployment rate of 25%, half of all home mortgages were in default, 9 million savings accounts were wiped out as bank failures were rampant, and massive deflation all but froze capital. 

Assignment:  Read Chapter 12.1.  Answer the question -- "What caused the Great Depression?"

photo courtesy ourdocuments.gov

American Studies

The focus of the discussion for today was the contrasting efforts of Herbert Hoover and Franklin D. Roosevelt in combating the depression.  First, Hoover's efforts were discussed.  His policies were marked by:
1.  Volunteerism
2.  Trickle-Down Economics in the form of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation
3.  A refusal to provide direct relief

With the election of FDR in 1932, the new president promised American's a "New Deal".  Components of this idea were instituted in the first 100 days of his presidency.

Assignment:  Read Ch. 13.1.  Complete New Deal organizer for Tuesday.

Thursday, January 7th

Advanced American History

Today is our field trip to UWGB's Corfin Library and the Area Research Center.  Be sure to bring the following:

• a bag lunch or money for food
• money for the copy pot
• flash drive
• your NHD binders

American Studies

In my absence today, the class schedule will be as follows:

1.  Great Depression Quiz #1
2.  Dust Bowl Assignment
3.  Hoover's Response Fails assignment -- Read 384-388 and answer questions on handout.

Wednesday, January 6th

American Studies

In class this week, we discussed how economic trends such as an uneven distribution of wealth,  overreliance on credit, and other economic flaws caused economic collapse marked by massive deflation, widespread unemployment and bank failures.  In class today, we viewed a few video clips to illustrate just how hard these economic factors hit Americans in both urban and rural areas.

Reminder:  Great Depression Quiz #1 -- Thursday.

Tuesday, January 5th

American Studies

Our analysis of the Great Depression continues today with a look at the complex causes of the economic collapse.  In class, we discussed how an uneven distribution of wealth, easy credit, mechanization and unbalanced trade combine with some other economic flaws set in place in the 1920's to cause massive deflation, bank failures, stock market collapse, and widespread unemployment.

Assignment:  Read Ch. 12.2.  (p. 378-381).  Answer questions 4, 5 & 6 on page 381.

Bank run photograph above courtesy answers.com

Monday, January 4th

Advanced American History

Welcome Back!  Monday and Tuesday this week we are scheduled to conduct NHD meetings.  Be sure you have all required components ready at your meeting time.

Reminder:  Our trip to UWGB is slated for Thursday.  We will leave after first hour and return at the end of the day.  Remember to bring $2 to add to the copy pot for use on the printers, copy machines and microfilm machines.  Thanks!

Stock Market Crash poster courtesy art.com

American Studies

Our study of the Great Depression begins today.  We will begin by reviewing the prosperity in the 1920's and begin to discuss how and why there were problems below the prosperous surface of the 1920's.  We will culminate with a discussion of the crash of 1929 and discuss how a stock market can "crash" and why it matters.

Assignment:  Complete Ch.12.1 "Causes of Depression" handout for class on Tuesday.