The Great Depression

  • Stock Market Crash

    The stock market crash on "Black Thursday" in 1929 sparked the Great Depression. Investors were trading about 16 million shares in a single day. Billions of dollars were lost, and the rest of America spiraled downwards as well.
  • Dust Bowl Crisis Begins

    The over-plowing of already dry land was the main cause of the Dust Bowl. The southern parts of America experienced severe dust storms and droughts.
  • Food Riots

    Citizens broke into grocery stores in an attempt to gather canned goods and other items. It took 100+ policemen to get the riots under control, and only a few people were arrested.
  • Roosevelt is Elected

    Roosevelt gave his "New Deal" speech to citizens in July of 1932. Months later, he is elected as president and defeats Hoover by a landslide.
  • First Hundred Days of the New Deal

    15 new laws are put into place in an attempt to overcome the Great Depression. He also created the "Fireside Chats" which were used to keep citizens informed on the government's actions and attempts to reduce the negative effects of the depression.
  • Works Progress administration

    This act was created to decrease unemployment rates. There were 8.5 million hired due to the act.
  • Roosevelt's 2nd Term

    President Roosevelt was elected for his 2nd presidential term. By this time, unemployment rates dropped down to 16.9%.
  • Economic Growth

    In 1938, the state of the economy finally started to rise again. Even though we saw growth, unemployment rates increased again to 19%.
  • WW2

    In 1939, WW2 began. Roosevelt supported France and Britain during this war.
  • U.S. Enters WW2

    The United States became involved in WW2 after Japan's strike on Pearl Harbor.
  • The End of the Depression

    The United States was able to overcome the Great Depression and become an economic superpower after the end of WW2.