Great Depression/New Deal Study Guide
Fifth Grade Social Studies
Name ________________________
Quiz date _____________________
Standards:
• 5-­‐4.2 Summarize the stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression, including economic weakness, unemployment, failed banks and businesses, and migration from rural areas.(P, G, E, H) • 5-­‐4.3 Explain the immediate and lasting effect on American workers caused by innovations of the New Deal, including the Social Security Act, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Civilian Conservation Corps. (P, E, H) Directions: Answer the following questions as we study the Great Depression and New Deal. Some of the
information may be found in your book, and some will be learned during class discussion. Your final quiz will
include information from the questions below.
1. What happened in October of 1929, and how did this affect the United States’s economy? (p. 336-337)
The stock market crashed, thousands of people and businesses lost money. The economy slowed down, people
were out of work and the Great Depression began.
2. Describe how the Great Depression caused the failure of many businesses and banks and led to
unemployment. (p.337)
Factories produced fewer goods, stores had fewer items to sell. People lost their jobs and had no money to
spend. Companies and farmers who had borrowed money from banks couldn’t pay back their loans. Banks
closed and people who had their money saved in the banks lost their savings. People lived in cardboard boxes
because they couldn’t afford their homes anymore (shanty towns-Hooverville’s)
3. What was the impact of the Depression on farmers and their families? (p. 338)
Many farmers had borrowed money in the 1920’s from banks for more land, equipment etc. because of the
demands of WW1 and sales to Europe. Now, farmers could not pay the banks back since the war had ended
and Europe could once again grow their own crops. They had to give away their farms and move to find jobs.
4. What was “The Dust Bowl,” and what caused it? (p. 338, 340-341)
A severe drought caused many crops to fail. The dry soil could not stay in place because there were fewer
plants/roots in the ground. Winds blew loose dust and dirt across the Great Plains. Dust storms ruined crops
and covered homes in soot. The dust was so thick it blocked the sun.
5. What was President Roosevelt’s “New Deal” that gave people hope during the Depression? (p. 345)
The “New Deal” was a variety of programs established to give people in need food, shelter, and jobs during the
Depression. Some programs were put into place to help prevent another depression.
6. Explain the immediate and lasting effects on American workers caused by these New Deal programs: (p.
346)
a. The Social Security Act –
Government provided money to people over the age of 65 and people who have disabilities and cannot work.
This program is still in place today.
b. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) –
This program protects savings and checking accounts. The FDIC will pay back at least some of a person’s
money if the bank closes. Today, the FDIC will pay up to $100,000 to each person to restore their savings if the
bank closes.
c. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
This program created jobs and helped conserve and protect the natural environment. Men ages 18-25 were
hired to plant trees, clear hiking trails, build campgrounds, and establish national parks. Some also fought
forest fires. CCC roads and other projects are still in use today.
7. What is a “minimum wage,” and why was it put in place as part of the New Deal? (p. 346)
Minimum wage is the lowest amount of money workers can be paid. It guarantees that workers will earn at
least that amount per hour. It was put in place to protect workers.
8. How does what happened during the Great Depression/New Deal era relate to what is happening
currently in our country?
Class discussion and notes, answers vary.