The Roaring Twenties

The Roaring Twenties

Learning Objectives

At the end of the lesson, you will be able to identify the factors that contributed to the United States' economic crisis in the 1930s. At the end of the lesson, you will understand the social and technological changes that characterized the 1920s. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to describe the political climate and governmental policies of the 1920s that preceded the Great Depression. At the end of the lesson, you will recognize the role of speculation and credit in the economic crash. At the end of the lesson, you will be able to explain the impact of the Great Depression on American society and politics.

What do you already know about the Roaring Twenties?

The contradictory nature of the 1920s

A period of prosperity and looming crisis.

Social and cultural changes

Rise of flappers, Prohibition, and jazz.

Technological advancements and economic growth

Mass-produced automobiles and increased electrification.

Presidents' policies and attitudes

Harding, Coolidge, and Hoover's views on government intervention.

Causes of the stock market crash

Laissez-faire policies, over-speculation, and excessive credit.

Consequences of the Great Depression

Widespread unemployment, bank closures, and the New Deal.

Definition List

Unfettered capitalism, Flappers, Prohibition, Speakeasy, Laissez-faire, Buying on margin, Speculative frenzy, Bull market, Tariff, Hoovervilles

Write down 3 things you learned in this lesson.

Have students enter three things they learned in this lesson. With this they can indicate their own learning efficiency of this lesson.

Write down 2 things you want to know more about.

Here, students enter two things they would like to know more about. This not only increases involvement, but also gives them more ownership.

Ask 1 question about something you haven't quite understood yet.

The students indicate here (in question form) with which part of the material they still have difficulty. For the teacher, this not only provides insight into the extent to which the students understand/master the material, but also a good starting point for the next lesson.