Free Printable The Great Depression Worksheets [PDF]

The Great Depression is a part of American History subject taught to students in the US schools from 4th grade. It was the period when the US nation faced unprecedented lows in its economic and financial spheres. In that era, the children even wrote to the first ladies of the US to seek answers to all questions that loomed over their minds. It is just one small but significant memory that teachers can share to help children relate to this era. 

Only reading books and lengthier chapters can become monotonous, drifting students away from the primary line of learning. With the use of quickly answerable worksheets, the learning process can be made fun and interesting. Sometimes, when students want to know essential questions based on this event, they can refer to our worksheets on the Great Depression.

This post brings you four types of worksheets that allow you to check your proficiency with writing facts-based answers and explanatory notes for questions related to the Great Depression. You can download the free printable pdf version from the links given as well.

Exercises included in the Great Depression worksheets

We have designed our worksheets to cater to the children’s learning needs at the elementary and high school levels. They get the following questions to solve:

1. Fill in the Blanks: What  ‘3 Rs’ mean, who were the presidents of America during the Great Depression period, etc., will form answers to these questions. Your factual fluency becomes easy to check by writing correct answers in the blanks given.
2. Match events with date: The Great Depression is marked by events like the Corporate Bankruptcy Act, Black Tuesday, and others. Read about the date of occurrence of these events to solve this match the following worksheet.
3. Write Importance of Events: We have included the most important events such as Fireside Chats, Bonus Army March, New Deal, and Dust Bowl in this worksheet for you to explain their importance. How these events triggered or turned the course of happenings of the Great Depression is to be described in this worksheet.
4. Explanatory answer worksheet: Critically evaluate the Great Depression in this worksheet. You can share your views on how similar or different this depression is from 2008’s economic crisis.

Which grades are these worksheets for?

Middle school students can refresh their essential learning acquired at the elementary level on this topic. They can decide on an approach to studying this topic. On attaining fluency in all the facts, events, and their roles in the Great Depression period, middle-schoolers can re-employ these worksheets to study this crucial event in American History at the high school level.

In high school, they are expected to have a critical viewpoint on events, leaders’ initiatives, etc. Thus, with a more critical approach, they can write about the roles of events and share views in the explanatory question provided in this worksheet.

A little about the Great Depression

The Great Depression was a severe economic downturn that occurred worldwide, beginning in the late 1920s and lasting until the early 1940s. It had far-reaching consequences that impacted various aspects of society.

The timeline of the Great Depression can be traced back to the stock market crash of October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday. This event marked the start of a series of economic setbacks, with stock prices plummeting, leading to a loss of investor confidence. The crash had a cascading effect on the economy, triggering a chain reaction of financial and economic problems.

Several economic factors contributed to the severity of the Great Depression. The collapse of the stock market led to a significant decline in consumer spending and investment, exacerbating the economic downturn. Additionally, the banking crisis emerged as banks failed, causing widespread panic and a loss of savings. The resulting credit crunch further deepened the economic crisis.

One of the most significant consequences of the Great Depression was widespread unemployment. As businesses struggled or closed down, millions of people lost their jobs, leading to high unemployment rates. The unemployment crisis, in turn, led to mass poverty, homelessness, and a decline in living standards for many individuals and families.

The social impact of the Great Depression was profound. Many people experienced psychological distress and a sense of hopelessness due to their financial struggles and inability to provide for their families. The rise of mass poverty and the loss of homes and livelihoods had long-lasting effects on individuals and communities.

Politically, the Great Depression brought about significant changes. Governments around the world had to respond to the economic crisis, leading to a shift in public sentiment and the role of the state. In the United States, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced his New Deal programs, aiming to provide relief, recovery, and reform. These policies included job creation, social welfare programs, and regulations on the financial industry.

Culturally, the Great Depression influenced artistic expressions and social movements. Artists and writers depicted the hardships of the era through their work, reflecting the struggles and challenges faced by society. The experience of the Great Depression also led to a reevaluation of societal norms and values, paving the way for social reforms and a renewed focus on issues such as workers’ rights and social equality.

In conclusion, the Great Depression had a profound impact on the global economy and society. Its effects were felt for years, with widespread unemployment, mass poverty, and significant changes in government policies. The Great Depression serves as a reminder of the importance of economic stability, responsible financial practices, and the need for social safety nets to prevent and mitigate the impact of future economic crises.

How these Great Depression worksheets will benefit you?

We have designed these worksheets to offer teaching/guiding/learning support to people according to their roles:

1. For Students: Our worksheets are quick learning and practice materials that help students gain expertise in the Great Depression. They can use these as quiz material. When you want to know about the crucial topics relevant to your level of study, these worksheets provide the right resource.
2. For Teachers: Teachers can incline students to study the Great Depression with interest by employing these worksheets. They can design homework, and quizzes and take topics for classroom discussions from our worksheets.
3. For Guardians: They can guide students in exploring this event from various perspectives and give them at-home study material. 
4. For Homeschoolers: Our worksheets give classroom-level learning intervention material for homeschoolers. Also, they can take mock tests to check their proficiency levels. 

All people can save these worksheets on mobile devices to have ubiquitous learning material available during travel time or last-minute preparations.

Best way to practice these worksheets

These worksheets on the Great Depression are multi-utility learning materials. You can derive the best benefits by using these worksheets in the following ways:

1. Pre-reading Preparation: Before starting the worksheets, provide students with some background information about the Great Depression. Offer a brief overview of the key events, causes, and consequences to help them contextualize the worksheets and better understand the topics.
2. Clear Instructions: Clearly communicate the objectives and expectations for each worksheet. Ensure that students understand the purpose of the exercises and what they should focus on while completing them. Provide clear instructions for each question or task to avoid confusion.
3. Active Reading: Encourage students to actively read and research to find the information needed to answer the questions. This will promote critical thinking skills and independent learning. Provide additional resources, such as relevant articles, books, or online sources, for students to gather information and expand their understanding of the Great Depression.
4. Collaboration and Discussion: Foster collaboration and discussion among students. Encourage them to work in pairs or small groups to exchange ideas, share insights, and discuss their answers. This collaborative approach can enhance learning outcomes and promote a deeper understanding of the topics covered in the worksheets.
5. Reflection and Analysis: Incorporate opportunities for students to reflect on their learning and analyze the significance of the events and concepts related to the Great Depression. Encourage them to express their opinions, evaluate different perspectives, and support their arguments with evidence. This will enhance their critical thinking and analytical skills.
6. Follow-up Activities: Consider incorporating follow-up activities to reinforce the learning from the worksheets. This can include group presentations, debates, or research projects where students can delve deeper into specific aspects of the Great Depression. This allows them to apply their knowledge, explore further, and connect historical events to the present day.
7. Feedback and Assessment: Provide constructive feedback to students on their completed worksheets. This can be done through individual feedback or class discussions. Assess the worksheets based on the accuracy of the answers, the depth of analysis, and the overall understanding demonstrated. Use the assessment as an opportunity to identify areas where students may need further clarification or support.

By implementing these strategies, students can engage with the worksheets actively, develop critical thinking skills, and gain a comprehensive understanding of the Great Depression and its impact on society.

Wrapping up,

Worksheets on the Great Depression topic can act as quick reference and practice material. If you want to know what topics are important for examination or require some easily accessible learning resource, you can download, save or print these free worksheets. You will indeed find quite an improvement in your performance by regularly solving these worksheets.

Resources for learning more about The Great Depression

Here are some references and resources that can help you learn more about the Great Depression:

1. Books:
   • “The Great Depression: A Diary” by Benjamin Roth
   • “The Great Crash 1929” by John Kenneth Galbraith
   • “The Worst Hard Time: The Untold Story of Those Who Survived the Great American Dust Bowl” by Timothy Egan
   • “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck
   • “Freedom from Fear: The American People in Depression and War, 1929-1945” by David M. Kennedy
2. Online Articles and Websites:
   • History.com: The Great Depression – https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression
   • Khan Academy: The Great Depression – https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-history/rise-to-world-power/great-depression
   • Library of Congress: The Great Depression – https://www.loc.gov/collections/great-depression-and-world-war-ii-from-american-memory/about-this-collection/
   • National Archives: The Great Depression – https://www.archives.gov/topics/depression
3. Documentaries and Videos:
   • “The Great Depression” (PBS Documentary)
   • “The Dust Bowl” (PBS Documentary)
   • “The Crash of 1929” (PBS Documentary)
   • “The Great Depression in Colour” (YouTube series by The British Pathé)
4. Museums and Exhibitions:
   • The Great Depression: A National Effort – Online exhibition by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum – https://www.fdrlibrary.org/great-depression