The Great Depression

1. The Great Depression Sect 2 – Americans Face Hard Times

2. M.I. • In a time of extreme hardship, Americans will develop a character and a will that will overcome economic ruin and restore prosperity.

3. Misery and Despair Grip America’s Cities • Few understood why the crash happened. • Many understood the impact of the crash. • Loss of jobs and homes • The Great Depression touched every American either through experience or by knowing someone affected.

4. Searching for a Job and a Meal • By 1933, unemployment up to 24.9%. • Btw 1921-29 never above 3.7%. • People found their hours cut and eventually were laid off. • No jobs • People cut back on food, clothing, heat. • Sold furniture, pawned jewlery.

5. 1930- 1,352 banks failed 1933- 9,000 1932- 30,000 companies went out of business 1933 – 12 million workers unemployed ¼ of workforce Average family income 1929- $2,300 1932 - $1,600 The Depression Worsens

6. Bread lines – free food Soup Kitchens – operated by private charities to give poor people a meal American Dream – Betrayed? Lining Up at Soup Kitchens

7. Looking for a Place to Live • Many lost their homes- could not pay rent or mortgage • Some refused to move – landlords needed eviction notices • Bailiffs – court officers that ejected non-paying tenants • People put up shacks on unused or public lands - shantytown

9. Hoovervilles- people blamed the president for their problems and nicknamed the shantytowns Hobos- many homeless began wandering, slipping into trains and camping near rail stations.

10. Poverty Devastates Rural America • Commodity Prices Plunge • Crop prices dropped • Drought – lasted for years • Could not pay their debts for equipment and seed • Tenant farmers – working for bigger landowners

11. The Dust Bowl • Plows uprooted grass – sod houses • Wheat had been planted by settlers • Crop prices fell • Farmers left fields uncultivated • No plants – no water – loose soil • Drought struck in 1932 • Dirt dried to dust • Dust Bowl from Dakotas to Texas – wind blew and covered crops, livestock and houses

14. Many farms were mortgaged and turned over to banks- bought by big business • Families got in their cars and headed west hoping for work- over 800,000 left MO, AK, OK & TX • “Oakies”

17. Few Americans Escape Hard Times • In the past economic slump called a panic or crisis – severe words • Hoover thought depression better. • State of mind as well as economic reality. • Eventually depression became Depression.

18. The Depression Attacks Family Life • Men felt shamed that they could not take care of their families. • Shame, despair, abandonment. • Guilt of those still employed – fear of being unemployed • Birthrates plummeted. Mothers working too. • Kids left on their own. No discipline or education

21. Minorities Suffer Hardships • 1932 – unemployment among African-Americans around 50% • Last hired – first fired • Relied on family and religion • Withstood better than most • Mexican Americans – discrimination and competition for jobs in CA. • Many whites wanted – repatriation of naturalized Mexicans – many pushed out.