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The "Roaring Twenties"
The wealth of the nation more than doubled during this time period. Americans were buying cars, appliances and many consumer goods. This was a time of growth and spending. -
Mild Recession
During the summer of 1929 consumer spending slowed which slowed factory production leading to laid off factory workers. The stock prices continued to rise regardless of lowered production, increased unemployment and consumer debt rising. These rising stock prices were unrealistic and far surpassed their actual value. -
Stock Market Crash
A day known as, "Black Thursday". Due to fear a record 12.9 million shares were traded on that one day. This sparked another wave of fear five days later for another record number of shares being traded. This caused millions of shares to have no value. -
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Rising unemployment and Bank Runs
During this time, unemployment reached to the numbers of 6 million in 1931 causing a rising number of homeless people and those without food. Farmers migrated to the cities looking for work. By 1932 unemployment in the country rose to more than 20%.
In the fall of 1930 the first wave of bank runs started. They did not have sufficient cash reserves on hand and by 1933 thousands of banks closed. -
President Roosevelt Elected- change on the horizon
FDR was elected. He immediately began taking measures to calm the public with the use of his radio talks as well as passing legislation to create jobs, and aid in stabilizing the economy. He also created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to protect our bank accounts and the Securities and Exchange Commission to regulate the stock market. -
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New Deal Projects
FDR created several programs to try to aid and protect the citizens in this country. For the first time ever there was Social Security benefits and unemployment insurance. He created the WPA to create jobs for unemployed people. Built dams along the Tennessee river to provide flood control and electricity . All of these things helped but did not end the Great Depression. Due to rising conflict with Germany and Europe, the WPA began to focus on strengthening the military. -
World War II Ends the Great Depression
Upon the U.S entering the war, production increases and factories were back to full working order. This reduced the unemployment rate back to where it was prior to the stock market crash of 1929. The Great Depression ended.