What Was the Great Depression?

This "What Was...?" series installment offers an accessible and engaging overview of the Great Depression for young readers aged 4-11. It clearly explains complex economic concepts like the stock market crash of 1929 and its devastating consequences, including widespread unemployment, poverty, and the emergence of shantytowns. With 80 illustrations, the book helps children visualize the historical context and understand the resilience of people during this challenging era. It's an excellent resource for introducing American history and discussing economic hardship in an age-appropriate manner.

On October 29, 1929, life in the United States took a turn for the worst. The stock market – the system that controls money in America – plunged to a record low. But this event was only the beginning of many bad years to come. By the early 1930s, one out of three people was not working. People lost their jobs, their houses, or both and ended up in shantytowns called “Hoovervilles” named for the president at the time of the crash. By 1933, many banks had gone under. Though the U.S. has seen other times of struggle, the Great Depression remains one of the hardest and most widespread tragedies in American history. Now it is represented clearly and with 80 illustrations in our What Was…? series.