Key Historical Events and Impacts

Japanese Attack on Pearl Harbor

• Significant military attack by Japan on the US naval base at Pearl Harbor

John F. Kennedy’s Assassination

• Reference to President Kennedy's assassination

Civil Rights and Historical Speeches

• All Men Are Created Equal: Emphasis on the self-evident truth of equality
• Mr. Gorbachev, Tear Down This Wall: Call for the dismantling of the Berlin Wall

The Great Depression (1929-1939)

Early Signs and Immediate Impacts

• Stock Market Crash of 1929: Shattered American confidence in the economy
• Unemployment and Economic Crisis: Rapid spread of economic despair from Wall Street to Main Street

Personal Accounts

• Miriam Johnson’s Family: Loss of grocery store and hardship faced
• Bank Failures: Significant bank collapses leading to immense personal losses (e.g., George Gellis)
• Housing and Evictions: Widespread evictions and loss of homes

Broader Economic Impact

• Bank Runs: Fear-induced mass withdrawals leading to bank failures
• Unemployment: Exponential rise in unemployment rates across various sectors, including US Steel laying off 225,000 workers

Impact on Families and Individuals

• Economic Desperation: Families using up all resources and savings
• Migration: Desperate search for new opportunities, movement westward to California among others

Cultural and Social Responses

• Role of Entertainment: Movie theaters and radio as significant forms of escapism
• Music and Swing: The flourishing of jazz and swing music offering a temporary distraction

Rising Dust Bowl and Migration Crisis

• Dust Bowl: Massive drought leading to agricultural failure and mass migration
• Riding the Rails: Dangerous yet necessary mode of transportation for many

Political and Social Unrest

• Protests and Strikes: Rising frustrations leading to violent clashes and union movements
• Radical Movements: Growth of radical movements and parties, e.g., Communist Party gaining influence

International Perspective

• Global Spread of Depression: Widespread impact beyond the United States
• Adolf Hitler’s Rise: The Depression aided Hitler’s rise, promising work and rebuilding Germany

Roosevelt’s New Deal (1933 onwards)

Initial Measures

• Restoring Confidence: Banking reforms, financial system overhaul, public work programs initiated

Second New Deal (1935)

• Social Security Act: Introduction of old age pensions, unemployment compensation
• Economic Reforms: Agricultural regulations and support, creation of new jobs

Long-Term Impacts

• Government’s Role: Establishment of government's duty to provide social safety nets
• Legitimization of Labor Rights: Formal recognition of workers' rights to unionize

Conclusion and Legacy

• Lasting Changes: The Great Depression led to foundational changes in American politics and economics.
• World War II Prelude: Economic conditions set the stage for global conflicts such as World War II.
• Cultural Shifts: Evolution of entertainment, migration patterns, and political activism during the era.