Florida in the 1930s: Depression and Recovery

This course examines the social, economic, and environmental landscape of Florida during the Great Depression. While the rest of the country felt the crash in 1929, Florida's economic struggles began years earlier with the collapse of the 1920s land boom and devastating hurricanes. You will study the impact of New Deal programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Works Progress Administration on the state's infrastructure and culture. The curriculum also covers the development of the citrus and cattle industries, the rise of early roadside tourism, and the catastrophic 1935 Labor Day Hurricane. By exploring these narratives, you will gain a clear understanding of how Florida navigated one of its most challenging decades.