"Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?"

The Great Depression of the 1930s WebQuest

Introduction

It is early 1930's. The Great Depression has hit your town hard. You and your family have been affected by many of the same problems that affected families all across America. Many families have been forced from their homes, parents have lost their jobs, and the basic necessities you took for granted a few years ago are now just a wishful memory.

Before beginning this journey back to a time of great despair and hardship in America, take a moment to read The Great Depression: A Brief Overview. Once you have read this overview go forward on to find out your task.

Task

Your Depression Era task is six-fold. You will complete the following tasks in this order:

1. Compete the worksheet regarding The Great Depression: A Brief Overview.
2. Listen to the “Brother Can you Spare a Dime?” song. The link is at the top of the page. The lyrics are located at the following link: Songs of the Great Depression. What is the song talking about? Be specific. I want a good paragraph. How is music propaganda? How can music spread a message?
3. We Get By: Making use of information available, you will prepare a monthly budget for your family of four after you and your family were forced to move in search of a job.
• In "We Get By" you will use a Budget Planning Sheet to create a monthly budget for your family of four, which has been forced to relocate in search of job opportunities.
• Take a look at the Occupation and Salary Chart to determine what you do for a living and how much you earn each week at your new job.
• Using the 1932 Price List and the Budget Planning Sheet work out a monthly budget to include rent or mortgage, food, entertainment, and other needs your family may have. Your family must either buy a new or used automobile, or show in the budget expenses for automobile maintenance. Remember you have had to relocate, so you may have to spend some of your family's savings to replace lost, or left behind, family possessions.
4. REFLECT
• What was life like for your family? WRITE a one page reflection. How do you make decisions about what is important?

Conclusion

It has been years since the Depression. You've helped America survive yet another world war, the Red Menace, and racial unrest in the streets. You have healed the wounds of past injustices and took your country to the top. You have been called "The Greatest Generation". How do you think living through the Depression helped you achieve all that you did? What was your greatest contribution to the next generation, and why do they call your generation "The Greatest Generation"?