In the book, Esperanza Rising, there are many things going on! For instance, the

story takes place in Mexico and the United States, in the 1930s.

This is also during the time of the Great Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the

Mexican Revolution.

Let’s explore this time period and events together!

Mrs. Thornton 2011

• It was from 1929 to the early 1940s

• The official beginning of the Great Depression was on: Tuesday, October 29, 1929, the day the stock market crashed

• Millions of Americans were out of work and in poverty

How do you think people felt during this time?

The Great Depression was

anything BUT great. Here are some facts

about the Great Depression.

Mrs. Thornton 2011

I’m still confused. What do you mean a “stock market crash”????

And, why would a stock market crash help create the Great Depression????

Mrs. Thornton 2011

“Stocks” are pieces of a company that anyone can purchase for a price. So, you can own part of a company by buying that company’s stock.

When the stock market “crashed” companies were not making money, and people that owned stocks became scared.

People panicked and sold their stocks, and even tried to take their money out of the banks.

This panic and loss of money is what started the Great Depression.

Mrs. Thornton 2011

People crowding around the New York Stock Exchange after the Stock Market Crash in 1929.

Here are some images of the Great Depression.

People would travel to different towns looking for work and food. This sign is telling men looking for work, to leave

their town.

People are waiting in line for food. It’s a sad picture because

the billboard behind them is showing happy Americans, but really most people are sad and

hungry.Mrs. Thornton 2011

Here are some images of the Great Depression. These men are

trying to find jobs by advertising with

signs as they walk around town.

These people are in a bank trying to get money from their

accounts. During the Depression banks did not have

enough money to give.

Mrs. Thornton 2011

• School Tube Video on The Great DepressionThis video is a combination of images from the

Depression, and narrated by middle school students.

• Riding the Rails: Teens During the DepressionThis is a looonnngg video about teenagers

during the Depression. Only watch the first 10 minutes.

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Click Here: About the Dust Bowl

Mrs. Thornton 2011

As we read through that website we learned a lot about the Dust Bowl.

- The Dust Bowl started in 1930s and lasted about a decade

- People that lived on the plains faced droughts, wind storms, and agricultural devastation ( that meant that crops and plants would not grow)

- Poor farming practices and years of continuous drought (not enough water) caused this problem

- Author John Steinbeck wrote about the Dust Bowl in his novel, The Grapes of Wrath

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Here are some images of the Dust

Bowl.

• PBS Presents: Surviving the Dust BowlThis is a wonderful video with lots of information from

people that lived through the experience. (Watch the first 11 minutes)

How did the Dust Bowl affect people?Were the Plains always dusty and dangerous?What was the main crop that was planted there?How did tractors transform farming?

Mrs. Thornton 2011

In a nutshell…People were unhappy with the way the dictator, Porfirio Diaz was

running the country. In 1911 a man named, Francisco I. Madero overthrew the dictator.Several men tried to take over being the dictator, or ruler of

Mexico. Unfortunately, the Mexican people did not think these men were

doing a good job. The people rebelled and fought against the government.

The fighting and rebelling finally calmed down in 1920 when Alvaro Obregon became the president of Mexico.

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Here are some images

of the Mexican

Revolution.

Francisco I. Madero

overthrew dictatorPorfirio Diaz out

of the government.

Porfirio Diaz was not happy

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Here are some images

of the Mexican

Revolution.

Children and families during

the revolution.

Mexican soldiers during

the revolution.

• February 4 and 5, 1911: First Battle of Bauche • February 7, 1911: Battle of Smelter View• March 6, 1911: Battle of Casas Grandes• April 9, 1911: Second Battle of Bauche• April 13, 1911: Battle of Agua Prieta• May 8 - 10, 1911: First Battle of Juárez• March 23, 1912: First Battle of Rellano• May 23, 1912: Second Battle of Rellano• February 9 - 18, 1913: Ten Tragic Days• March 13, 1913: Battle of Nogales• April 17 - 18, 1913: Battle of Jonacatepec • April 23, 1913: Siege of Cuautla • September 25, 1913: Battle of Aviles • September 29 - October 1, 1913:

First Battle of Torreón• November 12, 1913: Second Battle of Juarez

• November 22 - 25, 1913: Battle of Tierra Blanca• January 1 - 4, 1914: Battle of Ojinaga• March 22 - 26, 1914: Battle of Gómez Palacio • March 26 - April 2, 1914:

Second Battle of Torreón• April 21 - November 14, 1914: Veracruz Incident• June 23, 1914: Battle of Zacatecas• April 4 - 10, 1915: First Battle of Celaya• April 13 - 15, 1915: Second Battle of Celaya • End of April - June 3, 1915: Battle of León• January 10, 1916: Massacre at Santa Isabel• March 8 - 9, 1916: Raid on Columbus, NM• June 21, 1916: Battle of Carrizal• July 16, 1916: Battle of Tlayacapa• October 4, 1916: Battle of Xochimilco • June 15 - 16, 1919: Third Battle of Juárez

Mrs. Thornton 2011

Mrs. Thornton 2011

• Click here: Mexican Revolution HistoryThis video provides an overview of the people

involved in the Mexican Revolution. Great imagery and narration!

Mrs. Thornton 2011