Dramatic economic growth driven by automobile production.
By the end of the decade, nearly half of American families owned a car.
America quickly becomes the world’s leader in industrial output.
Transition from the thrift and self-denial of the 19th Century to conspicuous consumerism in the 20th Century.
Americans willingly amass significant debt to maintain a certain “Standard of Living.”

The Collapse of 1929

October 29, 1929: Black Tuesday marks the beginning of the Great Depression, the biggest economic disaster in modern history.
The crisis was global in scale, originating from signs of economic trouble in Europe.
By 1933, 25% of workers were unemployed.
Prices had collapsed by 40%, GDP fell by 33%, foreclosures and homelessness increased drastically.

Government Response to the Great Depression

Laissez-Faire Policies: The GOP's stance led to inaction, believing that the government should not intervene to correct the economic downturn.
Hoover's Initial Response: Smoot-Hawley Tariff increased import taxes, worsening international trade and domestic prices.
Hoover’s reluctance to provide direct aid was rooted in his belief that “socialistic handouts” were detrimental to the jobless.

By 1932, Hoover acknowledged voluntary charities were insufficient; the government would have to intervene.
Reconstruction Finance Corporation: Implemented to secure failing banks and businesses.
Federal Home Loan Bank System: Designed to aid homeowners facing foreclosure.
Initiation of Boulder Dam construction; a massive public works project.
Overall, Hoover's measures were perceived as uncaring and inadequate.

Approximately 40,000 protesters, including 17,000 WWI veterans, camped in Washington D.C. seeking early bonuses.
World War Adjusted Compensation Act promised bonuses in 1945; however, veterans sought immediate payment.
Congress did not act on the bonuses, leading Hoover to order military intervention, resulting in violence and destruction of protesters' property.

FDR's inaugural address emphasized themes of optimism and action, in stark contrast to Hoover’s policies.
He emerged as a man of privilege, yet a hero for the common man, willing to experiment with policies.
Despite contracting polio and maintaining a public image of confidence, FDR was confined to a wheelchair.
FDR hired a cabinet filled with Progressives and reformers, alongside external advisors known as his “Brains Trust.”
1935 saw the establishment of FDR's Federal Council on Negro Affairs, influenced by Eleanor Roosevelt, balancing support between southern Democrats and changing coalitions.
His domestic reform package was known as The New Deal.

From 1935-1938, severe droughts devastated the Midwest, leading to massive dust storms.
Entire towns were destroyed; over 2.5 million people migrated west to California seeking agricultural jobs, termed “Okies.”

Rise of Fascism characterized by dictatorial control, nationalism, and structured society based on race/ethnicity.
Benito Mussolini in Italy (1922): Utilized paramilitary violence to seize control and attack socialists.
Adolf Hitler: Assumed dictatorial control in Germany by 1933, initiated extensive public works programs to revive the economy while promoting racial purity campaigns targeting Jews and other minorities.

Hitler's writings espoused the superiority of the Aryan race, justified social Darwinism, and criticized the Treaty of Versailles as an insult.
Advocated for more 'living space' (Lebensraum) as part of his imperialistic goals, aiming to create a Pan-Germanic empire.

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