Short Story: The Great Depression was a difficult time in American history. Banks closed, companies went out of business, and people lost their jobs and homes. It took many years for the country to recover. The Great Depression started in 1929 when the stock market crashed. The stock market is a place where stocks, or parts of ownership in companies, are bought and sold. Many people bought shares of companies because they thought the value of their shares would rise. The stock market had done very well during the 1920s. Most people thought buying stocks was risk-free and that they would make lots of money. Unfortunately, they were in for an unpleasant surprise. On October 29th, the value of stocks dropped, and many investors lost all they had. People who had borrowed money to buy stocks were deep in debt and could not pay back their loans. Many banks had to close down for years. People sought jobs, but there was little work to be found, and wages were low. At the worst point of the Depression, nearly one in four workers was jobless. People formed lengthy lines for handouts of food and clothing. At first, the government did little to help. President Herbert Hoover did not think it was the government’s job to help the poor, but Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) disagreed. He was the governor of New York at the start of the Depression. Under his leadership, the state helped many people, which was one reason why FDR beat Hoover in the presidential election of 1932.In his first 100 days in office, Roosevelt created a number of new government agencies. These departments created jobs for people without work, gave help to farmers and families in need, and offered hope to a country that had hit bottom. One such program was the W. P.A., or Works Progress Administration, which created jobs in different government projects, such as building bridges, painting murals, and writing guidebooks. Programs such as the W. P.A. were not a quick fix, but they did start to help the economy. The Depression lingered on into the 1940s as people and businesses continued to struggle. The country still had a long way to go in order to turn itself around. In 1941, the United States entered World War II. This was a huge boost to the economy. More than 10 million Americans were part of the military, and many were sent overseas for battle. That left a lot of jobs to be filled back home, leading many new people to be hired. In addition, other countries in the war wanted the United States to provide them with supplies such as weapons, ammunition, ships, and more. The United States created millions of new factory jobs to help build supplies. The government spent a lot of money to protect the country from attacks. People who had been struggling and out of work for years suddenly had a way to make ends meet. Since people now had money to spend, businesses began to thrive and prosper once more. Banks re-opened, the economy grew, and over time, the country became healthy again. The Great Depression finally came to an end. Although the economy returned to normal after the Great Depression, memories of those difficult days will never fade. Many people lost their homes, their jobs, and all of their life savings. Times were difficult, but the country learned some important lessons. These might help the nation get through whatever tough times may lie ahead. According to “Remembering the Great Depression,” what were some of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s ideas to best help people during the Great Depression? Select two choices.
A. FDR wanted to open more than 10 million jobs in the military.
B. FDR thought building bridges would help struggling businesses.
C. FDR spent little money to protect the country from attacks.
D. FDR created jobs in different government projects with the W. P.A.
F. FDR gave help to farmers and families in need because of his agencies