Essay Questions

What was the primary cause of the great depression according to Robert Mcelvaine?

Robert Mcelvaine describes the unequal distribution of consumable income as the primary cause for the depression. During the 1920s and 1930s, the economy largely depended on consumer spending. Since income was distributable among the few individuals, demand for consumer goods declined sharply crumbling the economy. Many people were not able to afford commodities implying that the companies and other businesses could not sell their goods. Due to highly reduced sales, businesses were unable to service their loans and the financial sector collapsed.

What is the symbolic meaning of the term 'depression' as used by the author in The Great Depression: America 1929-1941?

The author uses the term 'depression' to represent desperateness of the American people faced during the hard-financial times. Many people lost their properties due to devaluation and others even died of stress. Many people who were doing well before the depression became poor. Many jobs were lost and bringing food on the table for their families became a difficult task. All these challenges were a result of depression which signifies desperateness.

Why is Jimmy Walker, Mayor of New York City, saying these words, “show pictures which will reinstate courage and hope in the hearts of the people”?

Jimmy walker said these words in the year 1929 to instill hope to the people of America who were already becoming hopeless because of the depression that hit America hard during that time. The stock market was crashing and business was collapsing. Joblessness was the order of the day and people were finding it hard to cope. Walker was encouraging leaders to instill hope in hope as the government was working on specific measures to revive the economy so that life could return to normalcy. He urged politicians and business leaders to be part of policymaking to restore the economy.