depression-other+outside+readings

KBM Based on NBC Archives Video “Profile of Franklin D. Roosevelt” Despite their adherence to reforms ending in “Deal” and everlasting love of “Alphabet Soup”, the Roosevelts, Teddy and Franklin, were both similar in their head-on approach to addressing the country’s issues and the success of their actions. Being they were distant cousins, TR almost seemed to act as a role model for FDR as they grew up. This was reflected in the similarities of their bank reforms and dedication to the people. Both experienced war effects and handled them well, using the coming wars to economically benefit the country and suggest pride within the people. Both pursued the younger men of the country to be involved in the military. They emanated a progressive feeling of nationalism via reform such as the Square Deal and the New Deal which directly and blatantly laid out the changes that could be expected in their presidency. Not only were their actions extraordinary, but their words as well. Both had an effective way of speaking to the people, FDR being much more well-known for this with his ‘common-speak’ such as occasional radio broadcast. Both were bold and had a knack for attempting to avoid the rules, FDR in his attempt to re-do the Supreme Court in his favor and TR getting involved against the wishes of the fore-fathers, in foreign affairs. Their paths leading to presidency were identical, showing how FDR had looked up to his distant cousin. TR and FDR had similar personalities as it is and both were called up to presidency in the country’s time of need. They gave the country almost instant hope from the time of their inauguration until their end. Both were able to successfully pull the country through the hardships of war and depression, leaving behind their legacies as some of the greatest presidents America has seen, in personality and presidency.

KBM The crash of 1929 was a tragic and seemingly unavoidable event of American history, however, had the previous presidents actually taken control of the obvious banking corruption, it could have been avoided. The population was becoming accustom to their seemingly everlasting wealth that they were becoming irresponsible about borrowing money from private banks. Since banks were, at the time, privately owned when they physically ran out of money the people belonging to the bank were out of luck. Bank reforms had been attempted in the past but none were as successfully as FDR’s bank reform, unfortunately coming in after the crash had occurred. Had these problems been identified by previous presidents and acted upon as serious issues, the crash would not have been so widely hurting with so many Americans investing bank money in the stock market. Since many other presidents had set reforms around the banks, it was clear that they knew there were issues in the way private banks were run, just none had been so bold to act and solve them entirely. This leads to another problem of Americans taking the stock market for granted. They were uneducated about it and only saw positive results which was the cause of such careless, unlimited loans from the banks, who only expected more money. Government owned banks were necessary to ensure the safety of the money of the American people. Educating Americans was certainly an important part of getting the country back on its feet. Not only educating the investors, but the farmers as well. They somehow missed the obvious point that overproduction will actually make market prices drop. FDR addressed this in paying them for ‘not farming’ so they would see the cause of their actions. This was controversial as a handout, but regardless, it was successful in teaching the farmers which could not have been done without incentive. Looking back almost 100 years ago, it is clear the stupidity of the causes of the crash. But the fact of the matter is that they just didn’t know. America learns from its mistakes and it is now much easier to identify the careless source of the problems. While the depression and crash could have been prevented with previous identification of the problems, making mistakes is what helps our country learn and this has proved to be one of them.

J.G.F. Based on: the NBCLearn Video, __Interview with Florence Thompson, the Mona Lisa of the Dust Bowl__ Before the 1930s, agriculture in the southwest was characterized by aggressive planting, and farming without crop rotation or cover crops. These dangerous practices combined with a drought and produced the Dust Bowl, which had disastrous implications for farmers all over the country. In the southwest, most topsoil was lost in windstorms with speeds up to 60 to 70 MPH. This tragedy served as a symbol of the misfortune that plagued the Depression. Artwork and photography at the time was dark and realistic, depicting laborers and, famously, Florence Thompson, a migrant mother. More than 40 years later, NBC sought an interview with her in which she detailed the hardships endured by many. With five children, and another on the way, Thompson struggled through many jobs as a widow. She and her children lived in tents, bamboo huts, and shacks when things were lean, something that accurately describes the condition of most families living in "Hoovertowns" or dilapidated communities impacted by the Depression. Thompson's daughter Ruby reflected that although they had few material things, the Thompson family, like many, had a sense of pride in their accomplishments. This was a major component of FDR's New Deal, as the government hired workers rather than relying on handouts to dispense money. John Steinbeck, who would later write Grapes of Wrath, got his first job from the government counting the number of dogs residing in his county. This resilience was common during the 30s, and no one depicted it better than Thompson, who is today known as the Mona Lisa of the Dust Bowl for her expressive photographs.

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AMB-- One of the most influential women during the Great Depression was Eleanor Roosevelt. She was known for helping her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, while he was President of the United States. Her active social and political roles made her stand out among the first ladies up until her time. As First Lady, she acted as a go-between for FDR and the American public. Because FDR was confined to a wheel-chair due to polio, Eleanor Roosevelt did the job of inspecting his New Deal programs across the country. She visited the camps of the Civilian Conservation Corps to observe the living and working conditions, and reported back to FDR the state of the programs. She also made herself accessible to the public, which increased their trust in the Roosevelt Administration. She encouraged people to write to her, and she personally answered most letters by hand. She also made radio broadcasts and gave lectures, allowing the common people to understand more of what was going on in the government. Her active role in conveying life in the White House to the public gave the impression that the government cared about what was going on around the country, and provided a connection for communication. Eleanor Roosevelt is also known for her social activism. She was a firm supporter of women’s rights, as well as African American rights. She led FDR to implement New Deal legislation that helped blacks, including an all-black National Youth Administration. She also publicly stood up for opera singer Marian Anderson when the Daughters of the American Revolution refused to let her sing in Constitution Hall. To make her point clear, Roosevelt renounced her membership of the DAR and arranged for Anderson to sing at the Lincoln Memorial in front of thousands of people. She also encouraged women to seek employment, and lived up to this principle herself by writing magazine columns, giving speeches, and even owning her own company. Eleanor Roosevelt made a great impact on the Roosevelt Administration, as well as the entire nation during the Great Depression. Even today, she continues to be an inspiration to Americans to be active in their government and society.