A thoroughly documented depression was new to Americans, but depressions themselves were not. The United States had experienced many economic downturns and periods of mass unemployment in the past. But none had ever been as severe as the Great Depression of the 1930s. This depression was different from previous depressions in many ways. It took hold of the country much faster than previous events and affected a wider number of people. The rich and the poor and all the classes in between were indiscriminately affected by what many called a national blight. Nobody was completely insulated from what was happening. The Depression was the topic of daily discussion. It was talked about on the radio and portrayed in the movies. Despite all of the widespread hardships, the country underwent a transformation socially, politically, and technologically. This is clearly shown in the many history...