Many people remember the 1930s because of the great depression. While that did happen, other events made it memorable. During the 1930s, jazz music experienced a rise in popularity. There was also The New Deal, which promised to alleviate the depression. This will provide you with insight into the Great Depression, as well as the other factors that have made the 1930s what they are known for today.
The Great Depression:
The Great Depression was caused by people withdrawing their shares of stocks because they had low faith in the state of the economy. This led to many people becoming unemployed, but those who lost their jobs eventually found new ones. Many people ended up losing their homes and left to search for a better life. Hoovervilles were built to provide people with a place to live. They were made from an old shipping container. Many left for California, nicknamed “the land of milk and honey.” This was supposed to mean that California was full of prosperity. They thought this because there was supposed to be gold there, and many people were trying their luck.
The New Deal:
This was a series of programs to help end the great depression. Some things that were included were Public works programs (such as schools and hospitals), Minimum wage legislation (a minimum wage that employers must pay to employees), and the abolition of child labor (no one under a certain age may be allowed to work). This helped many people find jobs again and secure employment. It also helped people become financially responsible.
The Rise Of Jazz:
Jazz began to gain popularity throughout the 1930s, particularly in the swing style. It’s a very accented and syncopated style of jazz. The most famous player was Benny Goodman, nicknamed the “King of Swing.” His band was mostly known for its racially diverse players, comprising people from many cultures. Another famous jazz player was Duke Ellington, who was known for playing piano and even being a composer. He was estimated to have composed over 2,000 songs.
I hope this has been a helpful insight into what the Great Depression was about, as well as some other memorable events that made the 1930s an amazing decade.
