What steps did Franklin Roosevelt take to try and involve the U.S. government in the Great Depression? Did these work?
FDR promised in his New deal that he would make a change within the first 100 days of his reign. He created many make work projects with alphabet agencies. Back then the only way for politicians to get information out was through holding speeches, which only a few people could attend, and through the news paper. Roosevelt came up with the idea to have fireside chats through the radio one week. There he addressed the issues and explained what he was planning on doing to help. Some of the make work projects were the Hoover Dam and a large interstate. The ideas Roosevelt had to get the U.S government involved in order to help the unemployment rate were very helpful and worked well.
In your opinion, what were the main causes for the stock market crash in 1929? What did it feel like when you were making money in the stock market game? How did it feel when the stock market crashed?
In my opinion the main cause of the stock market crash was the problems in the agricultural sector as well as buying on margin. In the game I enjoyed making money, I thought the game was going to be based off of how much money we made each term. With the little knowledge we had bout the stock market we could have predicted what stocks would be up before the crash and the stocks that would be up after. So Cody knew from the beginning to go for the fish and wheat because thats what would be up at the end. I was down 34,000 when the Stock market crashed; I didn't realize how bad the crash would be. I found it interesting that the Campbells soup stock was doing the best after the real crash.
Describe the social changes that came about in the 1920s. What political and economic factors caused these changes?
In the 1920's the economy was great. It was right after the war and the spanish flu! The stock market was up, and the economy was booming. Ford had just created the first automobile the model T, and the assembly line had just been introduced. Prior to the 20s the only famous figures were politicians, but during the 1920's more entertainers and connoisseurs were famous. The end of the war created new jobs and happier people, as well as better economic standings. Another change was that woman were now allowed to vote and had started the prohibition.There were many positive social changes like the new found cinema (silent films) and luxuries, such as flying.
Cinderella Man
The movie Cinderella Man is about the struggles of a man living in New York in the 1920's and 30's. It starts with James J. Braddock being a well payed boxer, but early on in the film he falls victim to the great depression. He is trying to support his family through occasional jobs down on the docks. He boxes sometimes but doesn't usually win, until one day he gets the opportunity to fight a champion; and wins. From then on he trains to fight some of the world champions, and eventually he becomes the heavyweight champion of the world! Braddock was a beacon of hope for many people during the great depression, and proved that you can change your situation regardless of the economy, through hard work and dedication. The movie accurately showed the struggles of everyday life during the depression, and what some people had to do just to keep their children alive.