Context

• Who is the author of the poem that inspired the book's title?

  Robert Burns
• What is the main theme of the poem referenced in the book's title?

  The unpredictability of life and tragedy
• How does the fate of the mouse in the poem parallel George and Lennie's dreams?

  Both face destruction of their dreams
• When did the Great Depression begin?

  October 24th, 1929
• What was the nickname given to the day the stock market crashed?

  Black Thursday
• How many shares of stock were sold on Black Thursday?

  16 million shares
• What was the impact of the Great Depression on wage income for workers?

  It fell almost 43% from 1929 to 1933
• What percentage of the workforce was unemployed at the height of the Depression in 1933?

  25%
• How many banks went out of business from 1929 to 1932?

  5,000 banks
• What were the makeshift communities where homeless people lived called?

  Hoovervilles
• How did the Great Depression affect black people compared to white people?

  They suffered worse than white people
• What did many black people hope to find by leaving the southern states?

  Work in big cities
• What were the living conditions like for black people in the cities during the Great Depression?

  They were terrible
• What was the impact of racism on black men seeking work during the Great Depression?

  It made finding jobs much harder
• What were black people often forced to use separately from white people?

  Rooms, buildings, and facilities
• What were the Jim Crow Laws related to?

  Segregation of races
• What was required to register to vote that many black people could not afford?

  Poll Tax
• What was the purpose of literacy tests in voting?

  To prove reading ability
• How did the Ku Klux Klan demonstrate their power?

  Through violence and intimidation
• What was a common crime committed by the KKK?

  Lynching
• Why were KKK members seldom punished for their crimes?

  Many were in law enforcement
• When was the NAACP established?

  1909
• What were the main objectives of the NAACP?

  End segregation, voting rights, equal education
• How did the New Deal impact black people during the Great Depression?

  It provided some support but was discriminatory
• How many black people were working for the government by 1940?

  100 black people
• What were the effects of the Great Depression on children?

  • Nearly 50% lacked adequate food
  • Many lacked shelter and medical care
• What were the strengths and weaknesses of the NAACP's efforts during the Great Depression?

  Strengths:

  • Advocated for civil rights
  • Challenged discrimination in courts

  
  

  Weaknesses:

  • Limited success against KKK intimidation
  • Discrimination within New Deal programs
• What were farmers able to do during depressions?

  Grow their own food
• What was the Dust Bowl?


  A drought and dust storms in mid-west America
• How did the Dust Bowl affect crop production?

  Crops were very poor in affected areas
• Why were small farmers particularly affected during the Dust Bowl?

  They were in debt and could not repay loans
• What did small farmers borrow money for?

  To buy seeds
• What happened to farmers who could not repay their loans?

  Banks repossessed their farms
• What was the consequence of banks repossessing farms?

  Farmers and their families became homeless
• Where did many farmers migrate to during the Great Depression?

  California
• Why was California perceived as a place to migrate to?

  It had spare land and a lot of work
• How many people estimated migrated to California?

  1.3 million
• What was the job situation for ranch workers like George and Lennie?

  Jobs were temporary and seasonal
• What was the lifestyle of ranch workers during this time?

  Very insecure with low wages and scarce jobs
• Why was the dream important to George and Lennie?

  It provided a sense of safety and independence