Lesson 1 - 1920s and Great Depression

Unit 4: 1920s and Great Depression

Lesson 1: Unit Intro/Economic Boom/Social changes

Review

Complete the sentences

CHALLENGE QUESTION

Watch The Roaring 20s Documentary

Link for Fill in the Blank notes

Audio

Changes in the Economy and Culture

-Credit expansion: Americans in the 1920s began buying on credit (buying appliances and paying for them later), and many people could not afford the goods they were purchasing, which resulted in many people living paycheck-to-paycheck and having no savings. On the surface, this makes the economy look good, because people are buying a lot of stuff, but in reality, a credit-driven economy is bad, because most of the people were in debt they could not re-pay.

Changes in the Economy and Culture

Consumerism: Driven by the idea of “buy now, pay later,” many Americans fell into the financial traps of the 1920s consumer-driven economy. Department stores offered all the newest and best goods and appliances to any Americans who were willing to go into debt to have these things. Automobiles were also a major source of debt for Americans who bought on credit.

Link to Newspaper

Link for Fill in the Blank notes

Listen

Listen

19th Amendment

Audio

Changes in the social and economic status of women during this era, including: flappers, clerical and office jobs, and the rise of women’s colleges.