GDWW - The 1920's, Great Depression and World War II Module Overview

The 1920's, Great Depression and World War II

Introduction

"We Can Do It!" poster for Westinghouse, closely associated with Rosie the Riveter, although not a depiction of the cultural icon itself. Pictured Geraldine Doyle (1924-2010), at age 17.The aftermath of World War I left a bitter taste in the mouth of many Americans for international involvement, and America turned more toward isolationism. The 1920s is often called the "Roaring 20s" eliciting thoughts of flappers, bootleggers, and the golden age of Hollywood. To be sure these things were going on, but the 1920s were also a conservative time. Conservative presidents implemented pro-business policies, religious fundamentalism was at its peak, and new immigration restrictions were put into place. The media began to shape a mass culture through major newspapers, magazines, and radio and people became better informed.

As the Roaring Twenties came to a close, the downturn in the economy signaled the end of an era. In 1929, the stock market crashed, marking the beginning of the Great Depression. This economic collapse brought enormous suffering to Americans from all walks of life. During this module you will learn about these and other developments about this time period.

In 1932, Americans rejected President Hoover in favor of the Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt. To relieve suffering and spark the economy, Roosevelt began programs to provide financial reform, works projects, and direct relief.

While the United States worked to overcome the Great Depression, military conflicts were growing in Europe and Asia. The United States attempted to stay out of these conflicts, but it was eventually pulled into World War II. After Pearl Harbor, the Unites States mobilized to support its allies. Americans enlisted to fight the Axis powers in North Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Pacific, and hundreds of thousands died. The war ended when Japan surrendered after the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Essential Questions

  • How was the 1920s both a time of conservatism and an introduction of more liberal ideas?
  • What were the causes and results of the economy moving from a time of prosperity in the 1920s to Depression in the 1930s?
  • In what ways did the New Deal assist people during the Great Depression, but fail to completely end the economic downturn?
  • How did American involvement in World War II affect the Homefront and help win the war for the Allies?

 

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Textbook Assignment

 Read the chapter in your textbook that relates to this module. Your instructor will provide you with a specific reading schedule. 

 

Key Terms

Click here to look over your key terms for this module. Links to an external site. Then review them with the activity below.

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