Great Depression
Activity #2: Depression Years in Johnson County
Materials Needed:
- Background Information for Teacher and Students
- Oral Histories: Why? Who? How? Basic Rules
- Oral Histories: Dorothy Rankin Kelleher, Merle Rankin Winter and Sadie McIntire Powell; Ruth McCulley Bacon; Ed Moody
- Historic Photographs
- Newspaper articles about local relief efforts in Johnson County
- Johnson County Democrat May 3, 1934. “Pork and Lard In”.
- Johnson County Democrat May 3, 1934. “Relief Gardens are Now Planted”.
- Johnson County Democrat July 7, 1932. “Farm Bureau Vacation Camp”
- Johnson County Democrat July 7, 1932. “Flour for Johnson Co. Needy”.
- Johnson County Democrat August 10, 1933. “Red Cross Work for Poor Going Good”.
- Johnson County Democrat July 11, 1935. “Canning Campaign On”.
- Johnson County Democrat October 11, 1934. “Olathe Has Small Canning Factory”.
- Johnson County Democrat April 12, 1934. “Call Poor Com. for Help Spring Cleaning”.
- Johnson County Democrat July 14, 1932. “Flour to be Distributed Soon”.
- Johnson County Democrat July 14, 1932. “50 Quarts of Beans in 1 Day”.
- Johnson County Democrat December 17, 1931. “Aid Unemployed: Boath City and County are Providing Work for Needy”.
- Johnson County Democrat March 17, 1932. “Anti-Hoarding Campaign is Now On.”.
- Johnson County Democrat March 25, 1935. “Sewing Class Held at South Park”.
- Johnson County Democrat June 27, 1935. “Demonstration Pleases: Miss Beasley Home Advisor Conducts Work Before 38 Ladies”.
- Johnson County Democrat September 1932. “Strang Line Makes Cut in Its Rates”.
- Kansas City Times September 25, 1937. “NYA Girls’ Camp to End”.
Curriculum Objectives
High School History Standard, Benchmark 2, Indicator 1: The student uses primary source materials to explore individual experiences in the Dust Bowl in Kansas (e.g., diaries, oral histories, letters).
High School – National Standards for History, Standard 3E: The student is able to describe how governments, businesses, social groups, families, and individuals endeavored to cope with the hardships of world depression. (Source: National Center for History in the Schools)
Activity Ideas:
- Write a paper about how the Great Depression impacted people on a local level, using the primary sources provided on www.jocohistory.net, as well as additional research obtained at the local library.
- Interview a person - a grandparent, great-grandparent, neighbor, retirement home resident - who remembers the Great Depression and the sacrifices made by his or her family. Use the Oral Histories as examples and use “Oral Histories: Why? Who? How? Basic Rules” information sheet for guidance.
