Great Depression Webquest

Objective: Create a personal entry of life in the Great Depression based on the events of the that lead to the depression.

Introduction The time is 1933. The United States is in the throes of a depression. Over 25% of the work force is unemployed. Over 40% of the population is living in poverty. The country's wealth has gone from 89 billion in 1929 to 40 billion in 1933. So what caused this Great Depression? In this webquest, you will explore a sampling of some of the theories of what caused the Great Depression.

------The Quest

If you could pinpoint the number one cause of the Great Depression, what would it be? Why? What would come second? Third? ------The Process and Resources You will explore the three perspectives listed for a single main cause of the Great Depression. Answer the questions (in red print) found in each section.

Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone Use the Internet information linked below to answer the basic questions of who or what caused the Great Depression and why. Be creative in exploring the information and search for more information using google.com if you have time or need more information.

Phase 2 - Be prepared to discuss your answers in class.

Keynesian Theory Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to the Keynesian Theory:

1. Who was John M. Keynes? 2. What is the Keynesian theory? 3. What were the consequences of the Versailles Treaty? 4. Were there any other significant economic issues? 5. Do Keynes' theories prove that "Keynesianism" is the number one cause of the Great Depression? Explain.

Keynesian A Review of Keynesian Theory - Read only the first section. Causes of the Great Depression - Read only 'A review of Keynesian theory'. Stock Market Crash Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Stock Market Crash:

1. How did the stock market crash affect the average worker? the business owner? the banks? 2. What caused the market to crash? 3. Do you believe the stock market crash is the number one cause of the Great Depression? Support your answer.

America's Great Depression: An Overview - Read the section titled 'The Federal Reserve Board'. Black Monday - Read about the facts of the stock market crash. H erb ert Hoo ver Herbert Hoover Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to Herbert Hoover:

1. What is the laissez-faire ideology? 2. What is the Smoot-Hawley tariff of 1930 and how is it connected with Hoover? 3. Do you believe Hervert Hoover is the number one cause of the Great Depression? Support your answer.

America's Great Depression: An Overview - Read only the section titled 'Herbert Hoover'. Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act - Read this brief article on the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act. American President: Herbert Hoover - Scroll down about halfway and begin reading about the role Hoover played during the Great Depression. Summary of Causes Read the information in the links below to see what are believed to be the other causes of the Great Depression.

1. In order, create a list that names your top three causes of the Great Depression. Provide a rationale for the choices you made.

America's Great Depression - Causes and Cures Causes of the Great Depression Summary of the Causes of the Great Depression 'I Remember...' Use the Internet information linked below to answer these questions specifically related to: 1. Four different people remember what life was like for them during the Depression. Pick one remembrance to read. Tell how that person was able to survive during this time. 2. If you were in their place, would you have done the same? Explain using details from the piece.

'Tales from the Rails' 3. Here is another story of life during the Depression; this is the story of a 16 year old who rode the rails. Why did he travel the rails? 4. Where was he trying to go? Why there? 5. What happened to him?

* I Remember * Tales from the Rails

Phase 3 – Recreate a short journal entry (3-4 paragraphs) as a person that went through the Great Depression.