Lesson Plan | Technical Methodology | 1929 Crisis: Causes and Consequences

Objectives

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to provide a clear and understandable overview of the 1929 Crisis, highlighting how economic problems arose and affected different parts of the world. By understanding these causes and consequences, students will be able to connect this knowledge with contemporary labor market situations, developing essential analytical and critical skills for understanding economic crises and their social and political repercussions.

Main Objectives

1. Explore the causes of the 1929 crisis, including the post-World War I period and American overproduction.

2. Analyze the economic consequences of the 1929 crisis in Brazil and around the world.

Side Objectives

1. Contextualize the impact of the 1929 crisis on global society and politics.
2. Identify the measures taken by governments to mitigate the effects of the crisis.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to engagingly introduce the topic of the 1929 Crisis, sparking students' curiosity and connecting historical content with practical applications in the job market. This initial approach prepares students for a deeper and more critical understanding of the causes and consequences of the crisis, encouraging active and reflective participation during the lesson.

Contextualization

The 1929 Crisis, also known as the Great Depression, was one of the most devastating economic events of the 20th century, affecting millions of people worldwide. Originating in the United States, the crisis had global repercussions that last to this day. Understanding its causes and consequences is essential for learning how economic crises can impact markets, societies, and public policies. This knowledge allows us to identify warning signs and develop strategies to mitigate future crises.

Curiosities and Market Connection

• Curiosity 1: The crash of the New York Stock Exchange in 1929 was not the only factor in the crisis, but a catalyst that exposed pre-existing economic weaknesses, such as agricultural and industrial overproduction.
• Curiosity 2: Companies like General Motors and Ford, which were giants in the automotive industry, saw their sales plummet, leading to mass layoffs and factory closures.
• Market Connection: The lessons of the 1929 Crisis are still used today to understand the importance of financial regulation and the need for preventive economic policies. Professionals in economics, finance, and risk management use this knowledge to make more informed decisions and avoid similar collapses.

Initial Activity

• Short Video: Show a 5-minute video that visually and engagingly explains the 1929 Crisis, highlighting the main events and consequences. Suggested video: 'CrashCourse - The Great Depression'.
• Provocative Question: After the video, ask students: 'What current factors could trigger an economic crisis similar to that of 1929?' Have them briefly discuss in pairs and write down their answers.

Development

Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to deepen students' understanding of the 1929 Crisis through practical and reflective activities. By simulating economic situations and discussing the consequences of decisions, students develop essential analytical and critical skills to understand economic crises and their repercussions. The fixation and evaluation exercises ensure that acquired knowledge is consolidated and contextually applied.

Covered Topics

1. Causes of the 1929 Crisis
2. American overproduction
3. Global impact of the crisis
4. Economic consequences in Brazil and around the world
5. Government measures to mitigate the crisis

Reflections on the Theme

Guide students to reflect on how the 1929 Crisis demonstrated the interconnectedness of global economies and the importance of responsible economic policies. Encourage reflection by questioning how economic events in one country can ripple into others, causing chain reactions. Ask students how the lessons of the 1929 Crisis can be applied to prevent current economic crises.

Mini Challenge

Market Simulation: The Economic Collapse

Students will participate in a market simulation to understand the causes and consequences of the 1929 Crisis. They will be divided into groups representing different economic sectors (agriculture, industry, banks, government). Each group will receive a specific scenario and must make decisions based on economic information provided by the teacher.

Instructions

1. Divide the class into groups of 4 to 5 students, assigning each group an economic sector: agriculture, industry, banks, government.
2. Distribute specific scenarios to each group, explaining the economic conditions and challenges faced by the sector during the 1929 Crisis.
3. Ask the groups to discuss and decide on the actions they will take to face the challenges. The decisions should be recorded.
4. Conduct a simulation round where each group presents their actions, and the consequences are discussed together.
5. Facilitate a final discussion on how the decisions made by the groups impacted the market as a whole, highlighting economic interconnections and lessons learned.

Objective: The objective of this activity is to provide students with a practical understanding of the causes and consequences of the 1929 Crisis, highlighting the interconnectedness of economies and the importance of informed economic decisions.

Duration: (30 - 40 minutes)

Evaluation Exercises

1. Explain the main causes of the 1929 Crisis and how they contributed to the global economic collapse.
2. Describe the economic consequences of the 1929 Crisis in Brazil and how the country was affected.
3. List the measures taken by governments to mitigate the effects of the crisis and analyze their effectiveness.
4. Compare the 1929 Crisis with a recent economic crisis. What are the similarities and differences?

Conclusion

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this stage is to consolidate the knowledge acquired during the lesson, promoting critical reflection on the content covered and its practical applications. By recapping the main points and discussing the lessons learned, students are encouraged to connect theory with practice, reinforcing the importance of the subject for the job market and daily life.

Discussion

Guide a final discussion on the connections between theory and practice presented during the lesson. Encourage students to reflect on how the market simulation helped to understand the causes and consequences of the 1929 Crisis. Ask what the main challenges faced by economic sectors during the simulation were and how the decisions made impacted the market as a whole. Reinforce the importance of economic policies and the lessons learned to avoid similar crises in the future.

Summary

Recap the main content covered in the lesson, including the causes of the 1929 Crisis, such as American overproduction and the post-World War I period, as well as its economic consequences in Brazil and around the world. Highlight the importance of the interconnectedness of global economies and the governmental measures adopted to mitigate the effects of the crisis.

Closing

Explain how the lesson connected historical theory with practical applications through activities such as the market simulation, which helped students develop analytical and critical skills. Reinforce the relevance of the subject to everyday life, especially in areas such as economics, finance, and risk management. Conclude by highlighting the importance of understanding past economic crises to make more informed decisions in the present and future.