Oral History

1. Oral History Mr. Ramon Arizola Great Depression Ms. Lozano’s 7th Block Patrick Rodriguez, Julian Maldonado, and Reynaldo Cazares January 28, 2008

2. Introduction Biography Pictures Interview What I learned What do you think Closing statement Credits Table of Contents

3. Introduction This is Ramon Arizola. Today is January 28, 2008. We are interviewing Mr. Arizola. The interview is taking place in the home of Mr. Arizola at 2610 Main. This interview is being conducted by team 7C, Ms. Lozano’s block. L.J. Christen middle school is part of the All American Teaching American History coordinated with Texas A&M International University. Interview is being conducted by Patrick Rodriguez, Reynaldo Cazares, and Julian Maldonado.

4. Biography Ramon Arizola was born in September 21, 1924 in Laredo, Texas. He went to Santa Maria Elementary School as a child. Got married fifty years ago at age twenty-three in Laredo, Texas and had three children--- two girls and one boy. He worked as a cowboy in a ranch.

5. Pictures This is a picture of Mr. Arizola and his mom side-by-side. Left—Mr. Arizola. Right—his mom. Circa 1945

6. Interview Patrick: ?Cual fue su primer trabajo? Mr. Arizola: Trabajaba en un rancho. Patrick: ?En el rancho? Mr. Arizola: Si. Trabajaba de cowboy. Patrick: ?de que? Mr. Arizola: De cowboy. Patrick: ?Cuando se caso? Mr. Arizola: Yo me case. No me acuerdo. Reynaldo: ?Cuando? Mr. Arizola: No me acuerdo. Ya llevo 50 años de casado fijate. Hicieron baile y todo. Patrick: ?Cuantos años tenia cuando se caso? Mr. Arizola: 23. Patrick: ?En donde se caso? Mr. Arizola: Aqui en Laredo. Patrick: ?Quien es el hijo o hija mayor de usted? Mr. Arizola: La mayor se llama Ofelia. Reynaldo: ?Ofelia? Mr. Arizola: Arizola Rosales. Ponle ahi Rosales. Ya esta casada. Patrick: ?Cuando nacio? Mr. Arizola: 21 de Septiembre del 1924. 83 años. Patrick: ?Donde nacio? Mr. Arizola: Aqui serquitas de el camino de las minas. Reynaldo: ?Aqui en Laredo? Mr. Arizola: En las minas. En el camino de las minas. En un apartamento.

7. Second Interview • Patrick: ?Se acuerda usted de la segunda guerra mundial? ?En que cambio Laredo despues de la Guerra? • Reynaldo: ?Hubo apagones? • Mr. Arizola: Si hubo. • Reynaldo: ?Las taxas subieron? • Mr. Arizola: Yeah. • Patrick: ?Se acuerda de la epoca de la gran depression? • Reynaldo: Cuando habia muy poquito de dinero aqui en Estados Unidos. • Mr. Arizola: Si en el 30 o en el 40. • Reynaldo: Si en los 30’s. ?Hubo muchas difficultades? • Mr. Arizola: Si. • Reynaldo: ?Cual fue una de ellas? • Mr. Arizola: Que no pagaban. Pagaban muy poco. Ganaba $35 por semana. Aqui.

8. What We Learned We learned that the Great Depression was caused by a market crash in the United States that lasted from 1929 until the dawn of World War II. Also, that the people were given food stamps from the government. People lost there job and others could not get one. They were paid very little.

9. What do We Think We think that it really difficult during the “Great Depression” and the “World War II. The taxes rose and they were paid very little. They didn’t have enough money for food. It was painful.

10. Closing Statements The Great Depression was a dramatic, economic downturn from all over the world. The beginning of the Great Depression in the United States was because of the stock market crash on October 29, 1929. Cities all around the world were hit hard, especially those dependent on heavy industry.Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell by 40 to 60 percent.

11. Credits Interviewee: Mr. Ramon Arizola Interviewer: Patrick Rodriguez Recorder: Julian Maldonado Writer: Reynaldo Cazares