Question

Response to political cartoons and photos: Great Depression

Must write in complete sentences and full paragraphs.

1. List five historical items in the political cartoons/photos that you think are important or interesting.
2. How do these cartoons illustrate about the Great Depression in society?
3. Describe the tone/emotion in the political cartoons/photos.
4. Name the symbols in the cartoons. What do they mean? How do they convey the cartoons meaning?
5. What are your thoughts and questions about the political cartoons/photos? You might
reflect upon the artwork, the people, the title or other ideas.

Answer 1

1. Five historical items in the political cartoons/photos that are important or interesting include:

• Unemployment lines: the long lines of people waiting for employment opportunities or government assistance were a common sight during the Great Depression.

• Breadlines: people standing in lines for free or discounted bread at soup kitchens or other charitable organizations were also common during this time.

• Hoovervilles: makeshift communities of shacks and tents built by homeless people, named after President Herbert Hoover, who many blamed for the economic crisis.

• Bank failures: the collapse of banks and the loss of people's savings was a significant issue during the Great Depression.

• Dust Bowl: the severe drought and soil erosion in the Great Plains region of the United States, which caused massive crop failures and forced many farmers to abandon their land and homes.

2. These cartoons illustrate the extreme economic and social hardship faced by Americans during the Great Depression. They show the desperation and struggle of people to find work and food, and the failure of the government to provide adequate assistance.

3. The tone and emotion in the political cartoons/photos are often somber and bleak, with images of long lines, poverty, and despair. There is also a sense of anger and frustration directed towards the government and the wealthy elite who are seen as responsible for the economic crisis.

4. Symbols in the cartoons include the breadlines and unemployment lines, which represent the massive unemployment and poverty that affected so many Americans. The Hoovervilles and bank failures symbolize the failure of the government and financial institutions to provide aid and stability. The Dust Bowl symbolizes the natural disaster that compounded the economic crisis.

5. These political cartoons/photos provide a powerful and poignant reminder of the devastating impact of the Great Depression on American society. They raise questions about the role of government in times of crisis, and the responsibility of the wealthy and powerful to help those in need. They also highlight the resilience and determination of ordinary people in the face of incredible hardship.