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Nate Sullivan holds a M.A. in History and a M.Ed. He is an adjunct history professor, middle school history teacher, and freelance writer.
Most people would probably consider the 1930s the worst decade in American history, and rightfully so. With the stock market crash of 1929, the 1930s got off to a rough start. Unemployment and poverty were widespread, crops failed during something we call the Dust Bowl, and it was basically just a really bad time for America. And yet, during this decade, a new architectural style flourished, and new innovations were being made in the arts and the sciences. So, the 1930s is kind of a mixed bag. Undoubtedly, it was a horrible time for Americans, yet in some ways it was also dynamic. Let's dig deeper to see what life what like during this time.
The Great Depression was an economic depression lasting roughly ten years that began in the United States and affected industrialized countries around the world. The Depression was the result of years of risky and speculative stock buying. It was triggered by the Stock Market Crash of 1929. On October 29, 1929, a day known as Black Tuesday, some 16 million shares were traded on Wall Street, resulting in the loss of billions of dollars. Panic struck Americans. There are records of people committing suicide by jumping off roofs. It was a dark time. Many Americans found themselves out of work and unable to provide adequately for their families. Soup kitchens, homeless shelters, and other emergency relief stations popped up all over the country, attempting to help those hit hardest by the Great Depression.
Just when it seemed as though things couldn't get worse, the Dust Bowl hit. The Dust Bowl was a series of severe dust storms that ravaged the Central U.S. throughout the mid-to-late 1930s. During this time, crops failed, livestock died from ingesting dust, and the sun was often blotted out for days. It was unreal. The Dust Bowl primarily affected the plains region, with places like Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas being the hardest hit. This led to a mass exodus out of the Great Plains. Many Americans packed up what they could into their automobiles, and left for California. As one Kansas preacher said in 1936, 'The land just blew away; we had to go somewhere.'
One of the ironic things about the 1930s is the amount of construction that took place during that decade. Both the Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building in New York City were completed during the decade. Throughout the decade, roads, bridges, skyscrapers, and other buildings began appearing like never before. A lot of this building stemmed from President Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal initiative. Under the Works Progress Administration, the U.S. government put millions of unemployed men to work, building roads and other public works.
The architecture of the 1930s was characterized by a style known as Art Deco. Art Deco was bold, minimalist, and it often featured streamlined, geometric patterns. It was a rebellion against the ornate and detailed Victorian style of the late 19th Century. The Empire State Building and the Chrysler Building are both examples of Art Deco architecture. Art Deco wasn't limited to architecture. It also impacted art, design, jewelry, and other areas. As a continuation from the 1920s, jazz music was an enormously popular style of music throughout the 1930s, with an emphasis on improvisation and syncopation. This modern, lively style helped bring bits of joy to Americans struggling through the Depression.
We can't cover everything about 1930s culture in one setting, but hopefully now you're aware of some of the highlights. Remember, the 1930s was a terribly difficult time, but there were also bright spots in the arts and sciences. Now, let's review our key terms.
The Great Depression was a worldwide economic depression lasting roughly ten years. It began with the Stock Market Crash of 1929. The Dust Bowl was a series of severe dust storms that ravaged the Central U.S. throughout the mid-to-late 1930s. The Works Progress Administration was a government agency and part of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal program that put millions of unemployed men to work. Art Deco was a popular artistic and architectural style during the 1920s and 1930s. It was bold, minimalist, and it often featured streamlined patterns. And, of course, jazz music was enormously popular during the 1930s, with an emphasis on improvisation and syncopation. This hip, modern new genre helped provide an escape from the hardships of daily life.
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Prentice Hall United States History: Online Textbook Help33 chapters | 270 lessons
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