Great Depression

Great Depression

I have found the Great Depression is extremely interesting to me.  The fact you hear

multiple reasons why the Great Depression occurred made me curious to learn more. I have gone  

to the library and sat at Barnes and Nobles going through numerous books and novels on The

Great Depression. At the book store I came across three interesting books. The first book was

Lies my teacher told me by James Loewen, The Political Incorrect Guide to American History

and 33 Questions about American History You’re Not Supposed to Ask, both are by Thomas E.

Woods Jr. These three book captured my attention because I do question what my high school

teacher taught me. I thought about whether history was politically correct or if I could find out how

accurate The Great Depression was. I know that the Great Depression was one of the most

crucial times for the United States.  According to Woods (2007), “It was a myth that the

incredible economic stimulus of World War II that finally pulled the United States out of the

Great Depression.” (p.100)  The Great Depression is considered the worst economic depression in

United States History. There are several assumptions on why the Great Depression occurred. However, The Great Depression was caused by The Crash of The Stock Market and the Failures of the Federal

Reserve.    

     According to Strayer, (2013) “The aftermath of the war also brought substantial social and cultural changes to ordinary Europeans and Americans. Integrating millions of returning veterans into civilian life was no easy task, for they had experienced horrors almost beyond imagination. Governments sought to accommodate them, in Britain for example, with housing programs called “homes for heroes” emphasizing traditional family values. Women were urged to leave factory work and return to their homes where they would not compete for “men jobs.” French Authorities proclaimed Mother’s Day as a new holiday designed to encourage childbearing and thus replace the millions lost in the war.” (988) 

    What does this actually say for our country? Could this mean we are brain washed by not only the French government but our government as well. Should mother’s be celebrate on mother’s day because women were influenced to reproduce based on the needs of replenishing men for the war?

What about the housing programs “home for heroes”? Yes, another thing that still exists today but

how effective is it? Today, there are many soldiers that don’t get the help that they deserve because of not serving a minimum of five years. Yet they were wounded and fought for our country.  Many

Americans don’t really see the big picture of what the government expects us to fight for. As Americans we want to have faith in our country but does our country respect and give back gratitude. I don’t believe America including the political parties really understood how bad the Great Depression has effected us and how we are still paying for the losses. The Great Depression teaches us more than what we can see if we read between the lines.  The saying “History repeats itself” means…. History Repeats Itself!