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Georgia and the Great Depression

Learn about the devastating effects of the Boll Weevil insect and drought on Georgia's cotton industry, resulting in economic hardship for farmers and the Great Depression.

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Georgia and the Great Depression

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  1. Georgia and the Great Depression

  2. Lesson Two (SS8H8a) – The student will describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on Georgia. GEORGIA AGRICULTURE TAKES A HIT During the New Southera, agricultural experts had urged farmers to diversify, rather than to continue their heavy dependence on cotton. Before farmers made changes, however, disaster struck: The Boll Weevil • The boll weevil is a destructive insect that laid its eggs in cotton plants. As the larvae matures, it devours the cotton bolls. • The insect was first swept into GA in 1915 in dust clouds from the west. By the early 1920s, it had destroyed over 60 % of Georgia’s cotton crops. By 1923, Georgia’s total cotton crop had dropped from 1.75 million bales a year to 588,000 bales. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  3. The Boll Weevil The boll weevil greatly affected Georgia's long history of cotton production between 1915, when the insect was introduced to Georgia, and the early 1990s, when it was eliminated as an economic pest. Although insecticides provided temporary relief, the cotton industry remained unprofitable, and planted acreage continued to decline.

  4. Lesson Two (SS8H8a) – The student will describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on Georgia. GEORGIA AGRICULTURE TAKES A HIT During the New Southera, agricultural experts had urged farmers to diversify, rather than to continue their heavy dependence on cotton. Before farmers made changes, however, disaster struck: The 1920s Drought • Soon after the boll weevil crisis, a severe drought struck Georgia and the entire southeast from 1924- 1927. • The 1920s drought was the worst drought in Georgia history on record. The year 1925 was the year “you could walk across the Chattahoochee River.” SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  5. Drought Drought beginning in 1903 saw mass migration of African-Americans to urban areas in north Georgia. Socio-economic development of the black community started in the early 1880’s, but when the 1903 drought struck, farm jobs dried up as quickly as the fields. The most immediate consequence of drought is a fall in crop production, due to inadequate rainfall. Farmers are faced with harvests that are too small to both feed their families and fulfill their other commitments. Drought is also associated with increases in insect infestations, plant disease, and wind erosion. Forest fires increase dramatically during periods of droughts. Some direct impacts of drought are reduced crop; reduced water levels; increased fire hazard; and damage to habitats. A reduction in crop productivity usually results in less income for farmers, increased prices for food, unemployment, and migration.

  6. Lesson Two (SS8H8a) – The student will describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on Georgia. GEORGIA AGRICULTURE TAKES A HIT During the New Southera, agricultural experts had urged farmers to diversify, rather than to continue their heavy dependence on cotton. Before farmers made changes, however, disaster struck: The Cost of Farm Equipment • Farm machinery producers began to stop producing old equipment, and began to turn to new farm technology, such as the motorized tractor. • Unfortunately, the boll weevil and the drought drastically cut farm production, making it impossible for farmers to buy new equipment. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  7. Lesson Two (SS8H8a) – The student will describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on Georgia. GEORGIA AGRICULTURE TAKES A HIT During the New Southera, agricultural experts had urged farmers to diversify, rather than to continue their heavy dependence on cotton. Before farmers made changes, however, disaster struck: The Migration of Farmers • The boll weevil catastrophe, the great 1920s drought, and the rising cost of farm equipment made it difficult for many farmers to survive. • In the late 1920s, many farmers began to leave the farm and move to the city to find work. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  8. Lesson 3 (SS8H8b)–The student will explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. The Great Depression Troubled times in Georgia throughout the 1920s were followed by a economic disaster on a national scale, with the Great Depression, lasting from 1929 to the late 1930s. • The Great Depression was the longest period of high unemployment and low economic activity in modern history. • By 1932, ¼ of all Americans were unemployed, and already struggling farm incomes dropped by 50%. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  9. Lesson 3 (SS8H8b)–The student will explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. The Unemployment Cycle: Industries created more products than people could use. Less spending power meant people were not able to buy as many products. Wages were lowered or people were laid off. Citizens had less spending power.

  10. Lesson 3 (SS8H8b)–The student will explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. THE GREAT DEPRESSION Multiple factors contributed to the Great Depression: 1. Stock Market Crash of 1929: People over-speculated on stocks, or took risks hoping to make a profit, using borrowed money they couldn’t repay when the stock-market crashed. • The stock market crash of 1929 triggered the collapse of banks, the failure of businesses, and the start of the Great Depression. The Stock Market crashed in 1929 and would not fully recover until 1954! SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  11. Lesson 3 (SS8H8b)–The student will explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. THE GREAT DEPRESSION 2. Bank Failures: Deposits were uninsured, so when banks failed people lost all of their savings. 3. Economic Policy with Europe: The Smoot-Hawley Tariff was created to protect American companies, but led to less trade. High tariffs on European goods made it difficult for countries to repay loans they had received from the U.S. after WWI. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  12. Lesson 3 (SS8H8b)–The student will explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. THE GREAT DEPRESSION Multiple factors contributed to the Great Depression: 4. Reduction in purchasing led to overproduction: People stopped purchasing items because of economic conditions. Inventory began to accumulate. Workers who were paid low wages bought on credit they couldn’t repay. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  13. Lesson 3 (SS8H8b)–The student will explain economic factors that resulted in the Great Depression. THE GREAT DEPRESSION Multiple factors contributed to the Great Depression: 5. Drought Conditions were so bad in the Mississippi Valley that many could not pay their taxes and had to sell their farms just to pay their debts. This area was known as the “Dust Bowl.” SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  14. Lesson Two (SS8H8a) – The student will describe the impact of the boll weevil and drought on Georgia. What do you remember about…the Great Depression ? • Instead of relying exclusively on cotton, agricultural experts encouraged Georgia’s farmers to _________. • 2. Georgia’s cotton industry was severely hurt by the ___________, • which destroyed over ______% of Georgia’s cotton crop. • 3. From 1924-1927, Georgia experienced a _______, receiving the • lowest amounts of rainfall in recorded history. • 4. Reduction in crop productivity can lead to a) ___________, • b)_________, c) ___________, d) ____________. • 5. The natural hardships experienced by farmers resulted in a • ____________, as farmers left the farms to find work in the cities. • 6. Five factors that contributed to the Great Depression were a)______, • b)________, c) _________, d) ________, e) _________. SS8H8 – The student will analyze the important events that occurred after World War I and their impact on Georgia.

  15. Acknowledgements Hodge, Cathy M. Time Travel Through Georgia. Athens, GA: WesMar Incorporated DBA/Voyager Publications, 2005. Jackson, Edwin L., Mary E. Stakes, Lawrence R. Hepburn, Mary A. Hepburn. The Georgia Studies Book: Our State and the Nation. Athens, GA: Carl Vinson Institute of Government, 2004. Marsh, Carol. The Georgia Experience: 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher’s Edition Student Workbook. Peachtree City, GA: Gallopade International, 2008. Robert Stinson, Walker Co. Schools

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