Life in the 1930s: The Great Depression
An Internet WebQuest on The Great Depression
Introduction
You have each been given a role or perspective from which to view the topic of LIFE IN THE 1930S: THE GREAT
DEPRESSION. This upcoming activity relating to the topic has been prepared so that you may have greater understanding
and appreciation for the book we will begin reading soon, TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
Often our personal experiences and situations greatly affect the way we perceive life and events around us -- as you will
soon see.
The Quest
From the point of view assigned, describe what life is like for you on an everyday basis. How do you spend your time?
What obstacles do you face? How do you feel about your community?
The Process and Resources
Today you are going to explore several different websites relating to the 1930s/Great Depression. As stated earlier,
personal experiences and situations greatly affect the way we perceive life and events. You are to take on the
role/perspective assigned and follow the directions outlined in Phase 2 - Looking Deeper. In order to complete the
assignment successfully, be sure to follow ALL directions carefully.
Phase 1 - Background: Something for Everyone (10)
TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD is a controversial novel written by Harper Lee. A young girl, Scout, tells about life in the 1930s
small town of Maycomb, Alabama. She grows and learns more about herself and society as her father defends a black
man accused of raping a white woman. Consider that Scout is only one person with on perspective; someone else may
describe the same events very differently.
Before you begin working as individual groups/perspectives, take a look at the site below and answer the following
questions.
(scim and scan- pick a few n discuss do not need to read the entire thing)
'Jim Crow' Laws - This site gives a brief description of what Jim Crow laws are. It also lists several laws in place for specific
individuals. http://www.ferris.edu/jimcrow/what.htm
1. What is your overall general impression of the laws given?
2.
Would your opinion change if you were raised differently and why? (2)
GREAT DEPRESSION- Learning more about the Great Depression.
http://history1900s.about.com/od/1930s/p/greatdepression.htm
3. When did the Great Depression begin?
4. What is the Dust bowl?
5. What does “riding the rails” mean?
6. How many people were unemployed?
7. What happened to many farmers?
8. Because of this disaster, what happened to families?
9. How did the great depression end?
Phase 2 - Perspective #1: 5-10 year-old child (white, middle class) (20)
Toys during the 1930s - This site offers a catalog of tinker toys in the 1930s. Click on the catalog and view all the
different toys. Search the site for 1920s and 1930s toys. http://www.oldwoodtoys.com/toy_tinkers.htm
1. From what material are the toys on this site made?
2. Describe some of the toys available to you in the 1930s. (2)
3. For what age group(s) are these toys appropriate?
4. Which toy might be your favorite? (2)
Horror Movies of the 1930s - This site gives a brief overview of popular horror movies of the 1930s.
http://filmsandtv.com/genre.php?gs=1930Horror
5. What two famous films were released in 1931? (2)
6. What is the Mummy about?
7. Why do you think these movies were popular? In your opinion, what attracts people to 'mystery' and 'suspense,'
especially children? (2)
Photographs depicting discrimination - You may have heard your grandparents tell about social inequalities, but this
site will show them to you. (Be sure to click on the photo to enlarge)
http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/085_disc.html
8. What is the most noticeable aspect of the photographs? (2)
9. As a child in the 1930s with minimal reading skills, do you think you would be able to 'understand' what the signs
mean? (2)
Alabama Timeline - This site gives general information associated with Alabama between 1901-1951, specifically the
1930s. http://www.archives.state.al.us/timeline/timefr.html
10. Look at the population in 1930. What is the population of whites? What is the population of blacks? What is the
difference? (2)
11. Who are the Scottsboro Boys? (2)
12. If you were a black child, who might you look up to in 1936?
Phase 2- Perspective #2: African American Male (adult) (20)
Franklin Delano Roosevelt - This site gives a brief overview of Roosevelt's life. http://www.shmoop.com/fdr-new-deal/
1. What were the two major crises while FDR was in office? (2)
2. What is the “new deal?”
STOCK MARKET Stock Market Crash of 1929 - This site offers a brief description and explanation of terms associated with
the stock market crash of 1929. http://www.pbs.org/fmc/timeline/estockmktcrash.htm
3. What were some of the causes of the crash?
4. Is the crash the reason for The Great Depression?
WPA - This site explains what the WPA is and what it did for the United States.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/dustbowl-wpa/
5. What was the WPA?
6. Why was the WPA created?
TIMELINE Alabama Timeline - This site gives general information associated with Alabama between 1901-1951,
specifically the 1930s. http://www.archives.state.al.us/timeline/timefr.html
7. Look at the population in 1930. What is the population of whites? What is the population of blacks? What is the
difference? (2)
8. Who are the Scottsboro Boys? (2)
KKK Ku Klux Klan (KKK) - This site gives a brief history of the organization and its affect on America.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/grant-kkk/
9. What event spurred the creation of the KKK?
10. Were blacks the only targets of KKK members? Explain. Explain. (2)
PHOTOS (click on image to enlarge) Photographs depicting discrimination - You may have heard your grandparents tell
about social inequalities, but this site will show them to you. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/085_disc.html
11. What do a majority of the signs inform citizens? (2)
12. As an African American male, how might you be discriminated against or inconvenienced? (4)
Phase 2 Perspective #3 White male (adult) (20)
TIMELINE Alabama Timeline - This site gives general information associated with Alabama between 1901-1951,
specifically the 1930s. http://www.archives.state.al.us/timeline/timefr.html
1. Look at the population in 1930. What is the population of whites? What is the population of blacks? What is the
difference? (2)
2. Who are the Scottsboro Boys? (2)
FDR Franklin Delano Roosevelt - This site gives a brief overview of Roosevelt's life. http://www.shmoop.com/fdr-newdeal/
3. How many terms did he serve?
4. From Part V, what famous phrase was spoken at the inaugural address?
STOCK MARKET Stock Market Crash of 1929 - This site offers a brief description and explanation of terms associated with
the stock market crash of 1929. http://www.pbs.org/fmc/timeline/estockmktcrash.htm
5. What were some of the causes of the crash?
6. Is the crash the reason for The Great Depression?
PHOTOS(click on image to enlarge) Photographs depicting discrimination - You may have heard your grandparents tell
about social inequalities, but this site will show them to you. http://www.loc.gov/rr/print/list/085_disc.html
7. What do a majority of the signs inform citizens? (2)
8. As a white male, how might you be discriminated against or inconvenienced (or would you)? Why do you think these
signs were necessary? (4)
WPA This site explains what the WPA is and what it did for the United States.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/dustbowl-wpa/
9. What is the WPA?
10. What kind of job might you receive with the WPA and why? (2)
KKK This site gives a brief history of the organization and its affect on America.
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/grant-kkk/
11. What event spurred the creation of the KKK?
12. Tell about the types of individuals of which KKK may disapprove. (2)
Phase 3 - Debating, Discussing, and Reaching Consensus
You have all learned about a different part of The Great Depression. As a group, review the information you learned.
Now, keeping your perspective in mind, think about what life would be like for you in the 1930s.
Your perspective:
Your group members:
#1 List as many adjectives as possible to describe your average daily life.
Using 2-4 sentences EACH, answer the following questions. If you feel one may not apply to your perspective, explain
why the topic does not affect you.
#2 How might feel about your community? Do you like it? Why? Why not?
#3 With what types of people might you spend a majority of the day (working/playing)?
#4 How is your bank statement looking this year? Explain.
#5 How do you feel about the President? Is he doing anything to help you and/or your community?
#5 If you passed a sign-making store, what types of signs might you see being made?
Phase 4 - Real World Feedback
You and your teammates have learned a lot by dividing up into different roles/perspectives. Now it's time to apply that
knowledge. Your group is going to create a journal or diary for a person fitting your role/perspective.
A) Review the topics/scenarios below.
B) Assign each person in your group ONE topic/scenario.
C) In a one-page writing, write about the topic/scenario from the point of view of the role/perspective. BE SURE TO GIVE
DETAILS AND DESCRIPTIONS. You may even include pictures or quotes to enhance your writing (if you choose).
Obviously the journal entries will be different based on your perspective.
D) Combine all members' writings into one 'journal/diary.'
E) Turn in the ANSWERS to the website questions AND the completed JOURNAL/DIARY. Only one copy of the JOURNAL
for the entire group is necessary, but everyone must have done their separate web quests and introduction.
F) The journals/diaries will be shared with the entire class and used as a basis for discussion.
TOPICS/SCENARIOS
1) You went out to eat for dinner. You saw a black man approach the same restaurant in which you were eating. He was
directed to the back of the building. Where were you sitting? What types of people were sitting near you? How do you
feel about the black man being directed to the back of the building?
2) It's 1931. You hear that the latest, greatest movie, 'Dracula' is out in theaters and you want to see it, but you cannot
go! Why might you not be able to go? Who might you blame? If it were 1941, would you be more likely to be able to go?
3) You wake up and get the morning paper. The headlines read 'Negro Rapes White Woman: Trial to Follow' What is
your first reaction (if you're a child, do you even know what that means?)? Do you think it's true? How do you expect the
trial to go?
4) Tell about an 'average' day. Do you get up and play, or go to work? If you work, how did you get the job and what do
you do? If you play, what are your toys like? If you go into town, what observances might you make? Tell more!
Conclusion
We frequently limit our opinions and understandings of experiences to only one point of view: OUR OWN! If we take the
time to consider someone else's point of view, we may realize that our perceptions of the exact same event are very
different. It is important to understand that while we do not have to accept these opinions, they still exist. Often the
recognition and validation of various opinions and understandings lead to a greater tolerance of and better
communication with others.
This WebQuest activity was intended to help you not only learn about a different time period associated with 'To Kill a
Mockingbird,' but to help you appreciate and analyze this fascinating piece of literature from a point of view outside of
your own.
It is my hope that you will consider others' perceptions in addition to your own. After all, 'perception is reality.'