Unit 5: Crisis and Change

Lesson E: Economic Depression and Political Collapse

Activity 5: The Gold Standard

Now study the chart explaining when various countries left the gold standard and the graph comparing global exports during the years of the Great Depression to previous years. Use the information from the world map and these two data sources to answer the following questions. Look at the feedback carefully to confirm your understanding of this content.

The Great Depression in International Perspective. Red Ticks Mark Points at Which Nations Suspended Gold Convertibility and/or Devalued Against Gold. ^[1]

Value of Global Exports in Billions of Dollars ^[2]

Directions: Using the information from the data sources and the map of the world, answer the following short answer questions. Pay close attention to the feedback to confirm your understanding of the affects of the Great Depression and the responses in different countries.

Classroom Activity - Impact of the Great Depression

Discussion

Directions: Prepare a response to the discussion questions below. Follow your teacher’s directions to participate in your class discussion.

• Which country's story do you find the most compelling, and why?
• What is the significance of the gold standard in terms of this country's recovery from the Great Depression?

Select the link to review the Discussion Scoring Tool (pdf).

 

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Page Notes:

^[1] Source: This image from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:International_depression.png is licensed with Creative Commons Attribution. Attribution: Will O'Neil.

^[2] Source: This image from http://worldhistoryforusall.sdsu.edu/eras/era8.php is free to use for non-profit/educational purposes.