The era of the Great Depression saw an increase in the practice of religion.
The era of the Great Depression saw an increase in the practice of religion.

Why did this increase occur?
Why did this increase occur?

Who was the major leader of the movement?
Who was the major leader of the movement?

As economic hardships continued to worsen throughout the 1930s, many people began to
As economic hardships continued to worsen throughout the 1930s, many people began to

hold tightly to their religion.
hold tightly to their religion.

For them, conditions had become so miserable that their only hope was that something much
For them, conditions had become so miserable that their only hope was that something much

better awaited them after death.
better awaited them after death.

Religion became an emotional stabilizer and helped many people through the difficult times.
Religion became an emotional stabilizer and helped many people through the difficult times.

Between 1929 and 1937 there was a sharp rise in all of the Protestant denominations of
Between 1929 and 1937 there was a sharp rise in all of the Protestant denominations of

Christianity.
Christianity.

Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, and many other churches all experienced a staggering
Methodists, Baptists, Lutherans, and many other churches all experienced a staggering

increase in membership.
increase in membership.

Catholic church attendance was on the rise as well.
Catholic church attendance was on the rise as well.

Several new religious organizations, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, also emerged
Several new religious organizations, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses, also emerged

during the 1930s.
during the 1930s.

Millions of people found comfort and safety within the church community.
Millions of people found comfort and safety within the church community.

Historically, providing aid to the poor had always been a mission fulfilled by churches.
Historically, providing aid to the poor had always been a mission fulfilled by churches.

Soup kitchens, food and clothing donations, and other relief efforts were all organized
Soup kitchens, food and clothing donations, and other relief efforts were all organized

by various religious groups throughout the nation.
by various religious groups throughout the nation.

One of the leaders of this new religious fervor was Father Charles Coughlin.
One of the leaders of this new religious fervor was Father Charles Coughlin.

Father Coughlin served as the priest for a Catholic church in Michigan known as the Shrine
Father Coughlin served as the priest for a Catholic church in Michigan known as the Shrine

of the Little Flower.
of the Little Flower.

He also hosted a radio program known as The Radio League of the Little Flower.
He also hosted a radio program known as The Radio League of the Little Flower.

As the 1930s progressed, Father Coughlin became one of the most listened to voices on the
As the 1930s progressed, Father Coughlin became one of the most listened to voices on the

radio.
radio.

In 1936, his radio-sermons were broadcasting on 35 different radio stations.
In 1936, his radio-sermons were broadcasting on 35 different radio stations.

It was estimated that he had approximately 30 million listeners tuned in each week to
It was estimated that he had approximately 30 million listeners tuned in each week to

hear his weekly sermons.
hear his weekly sermons.

This gave him much influence over the political situation of the era.
This gave him much influence over the political situation of the era.

Initially, Father Coughlin supported Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal efforts.
Initially, Father Coughlin supported Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal efforts.

However, as time progressed, Coughlin became more outspoken against the president.
However, as time progressed, Coughlin became more outspoken against the president.

Coughlin also utilized his program to attack communists, labor unions, banks, the Supreme
Coughlin also utilized his program to attack communists, labor unions, banks, the Supreme

Court, and many other political opponents.
Court, and many other political opponents.

Father Coughlin announced the creation of a new political party, the Union Party, in
Father Coughlin announced the creation of a new political party, the Union Party, in

1936.
1936.

He also announced that he would run for president as a Union Party candidate.
He also announced that he would run for president as a Union Party candidate.

His bid for the nomination was unsuccessful, but this did not diminish the influence Coughlin
His bid for the nomination was unsuccessful, but this did not diminish the influence Coughlin

had over his followers.
had over his followers.

In the late 1930s, a group known as the Christian Front emerged.
In the late 1930s, a group known as the Christian Front emerged.

They claimed Father Coughlin as their inspiration, although he had no direct connection to the
They claimed Father Coughlin as their inspiration, although he had no direct connection to the

group.
group.

Thousands became members of the organization and started secretly conducting drills with
Thousands became members of the organization and started secretly conducting drills with

rifles.
rifles.

Groups of “Fronters” roamed the streets of major cities, attacking Jews and other
Groups of “Fronters” roamed the streets of major cities, attacking Jews and other

groups they disliked.
groups they disliked.

The FBI arrested seventeen Fronters in 1940.
The FBI arrested seventeen Fronters in 1940.

In the Fronters’ possession, the FBI found bombs, dynamite, weapons, and stockpiles of
In the Fronters’ possession, the FBI found bombs, dynamite, weapons, and stockpiles of

ammunition.
ammunition.

The FBI claimed that the group had plans to assassinate prominent Americans and seize
The FBI claimed that the group had plans to assassinate prominent Americans and seize

post offices and armories.
post offices and armories.

Despite the evidence against them, the members of the Christian Front were acquitted of the
Despite the evidence against them, the members of the Christian Front were acquitted of the

charges and set free.
charges and set free.