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Chronological Reasoning and Causation

Great Depression: How were families in New York affected by the Great Depression?

  1. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, November 13, 1929 in Main Image Viewer
  2. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, April 29, 1932 in Main Image Viewer
  3. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, March 16, 1931 in Main Image Viewer
  4. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, March 16, 1931 in Main Image Viewer
  5. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, April 19, 1934 in Main Image Viewer
  6. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, December 16 in Main Image Viewer
  7. Load Letter. George Lent to this Brother, December 16 in Main Image Viewer
  8. Load Telegram Great Depression in Main Image Viewer
  9. Load Lent family papers, 1910-1967.  in Main Image Viewer
  10. Load Lent family papers, 1910-1967.  in Main Image Viewer
  11. Load Lent family papers, 1910-1967.  in Main Image Viewer
  12. Load Lent family papers, 1910-1967.  in Main Image Viewer
  13. Load Lent family papers, 1910-1967.  in Main Image Viewer

Suggested Teaching Instructions

Learning Standards and Practices
8.5 GREAT DEPRESSION: Economic and environmental disasters in the 1930s created hardships for many Americans. Amidst much debate about the appropriate role of government, President Franklin D. Roosevelt helped to create intensive government interventions in the United States economy and society.

(Standards: 1, 3, 5; Themes: TCC, SOC, GOV, ECO)
8.5b The Great Depression and the Dust Bowl affected American businesses and families.
Ø Students will examine the effects of the Great Depression on American families in terms of the loss of jobs, wealth, and homes, noting varying effects based on class, race, and gender. Students will explore the conditions in New York City and other communities within New York State during the Great Depression.
A. Gathering, Interpreting and Using Evidence
5. Make inferences and draw conclusions from evidence.
E. Economics and Economic Systems
1. Explain how economic decisions affect the well-being of individuals, businesses, and society; evaluate alternative approaches or solutions to economic issues in terms of benefits and costs for different groups of people. 

Setting the Stage
What was the Great Depression? Review key characteristics of this time in American history.