Question/Problem 4: What were the economic problems during the 1920s that led to the Stock-Market Crash?
Description of lesson/activity
1. describe the basic functioning of the stock market.
2. explain how the economic problems of the '20s caused the stock market to crash.
3. analyze their information.
4. generate a written assignment which indicates their understanding of the economic situation of the 1920s.
1. Completion of this activity requires a knowledge of the basic functioning of the stock market. This could be accomplished through such methods as class discussion, student research, or simulation games. Several student and teacher resources are listed below.
2. Students should also research the economic problems of the 1920s using their textbook and other available resources. Attached is a list of "Economic Problems of the 1920s" that the teacher may share with students.
3. As a culminating activity, students could assume the role of an American during the 1920s and write a letter that expresses their understanding of the economy and the need for change. See the "Writing a Letter" worksheet for instructions.
1. Student textbooks.
2. An excellent resource text for teachers is: Galbraith, John Kenneth. The Great Crash 1929. Boston: Houghton Mifflin Co., 1961.
3. Glassman, Bruce. The Crash of '29 and the New Deal. Morristown, NJ: Silver Burdett Co., 1986.
4. Little, Jeffrey B. Wall Street - How It Works. New York: Chelsea House Publishers, 1988.
5. Young, Robin R. The Stock Market. Minneapolis, MN: Lerner Publications Company, 1991.
Resource 1: Economic Problems of the 1920s
Resource 2: Writing a Letter