New York State Test Prep Social Studies 5 (Grade 4) Industrial Growth and Expansion

Sprocket Works: United States Timeline
The Great Depression

You will be using an interactive timeline called the History of the United States. Before you visit this site, read the information below. Then click on the photograph below to begin.

* When the United States Timeline appears, drag your mouse to the right until you reach the year 1929.

* Click on the picture taken during the Great Depression.

* There will be a red button at the bottom of the page that says, “read me.” Click it and read the paragraph that appears.

* This same paragraph will appear on each of the following pages, so you may review it whenever you click “read me.” You may hide the writing by clicking on the “hide me” button whenever you wish to view the whole picture.

* Look at all five of the photographs of Depression times by clicking on the moving sprocket button in the bottom right-hand corner of each picture.

* When you are finished, return to this page by clicking on the “Back” button at the top, and answer the questions below. You may go back and reread any time you wish.

If you are ready to begin, click on the historical photograph below, of the woman and her children, taken during the Depression-era.

Can you answer these questions about the
Great Depression?

1. Who was the President of the United States during the Great Depression years?

2. What war had ended before the Depression?

What war helped end the Depression?

3. In 1929, what percentage (%) of people were unemployed?

4. What does unemployed mean?

5. We say things are scarce, when they not available. Which of these were scarce during the Depression? houses, water, jobs, people

6. During the Depression, the failure of which of these businesses caused the economy to break down?
grocery stores, banks, toy stores, post offices

7. During the Depression, when resources were scarce, people had trouble satisfying their basic needs of food, clothing, and shelter. The second picture showed men solemnly waiting in a line. Which of basic needs were they trying to satisfy?

8. In economics, the word "depression," means a time of low economic activity and high unemployment. It has another meaning that is reflected in the photographs of the people living in this time. Which of these words do you think best fits that definition?
joy, happiness, sadness, humor

Permission granted 2/11/03 for use of Sprocket Works by http://www.sprocketworks.com.