Chapter 14Chapter 14The Great Depression The Great Depression BeginsBeginsSection 2: Hardships and Section 2: Hardships and Suffering During the DepressionSuffering During the Depression

White Angel White Angel Breadline Breadline 19331933-By -By

Dorthea LangeDorthea LangeDuring the Great During the Great Depression, the Depression, the destitute stood destitute stood

in breadlines like in breadlines like this one in San this one in San Francisco, set Francisco, set

up by a wealthy up by a wealthy woman known woman known as the "White as the "White

Angel." Angel."

One American’s StoryOne American’s StoryAnn Marie LowAnn Marie Low

Ann lived with her parents on their North Dakota farm when the Ann lived with her parents on their North Dakota farm when the stock market crashed and the Great Depression struck. In her diary stock market crashed and the Great Depression struck. In her diary entry of November 2, 1929, she wrote, “There seems to be quite a entry of November 2, 1929, she wrote, “There seems to be quite a furor in the country over a big stock market crash that wiped a lot of furor in the country over a big stock market crash that wiped a lot of people out. We are ahead of them.” Like many farm families in the people out. We are ahead of them.” Like many farm families in the 1920s, Ann’s family had already experienced hard times. Things 1920s, Ann’s family had already experienced hard times. Things would get worse during the Great Depression.would get worse during the Great Depression.

April 25, 1934April 25, 1934Last weekend was the worst dust storm we ever had. We’ve been Last weekend was the worst dust storm we ever had. We’ve been having quite a bit of blowing dirt every year since the drouth having quite a bit of blowing dirt every year since the drouth [drought] started, not only here, but all over the Great Plains. Many [drought] started, not only here, but all over the Great Plains. Many days this this spring air is just full of dirt coming, literally, for days this this spring air is just full of dirt coming, literally, for hundreds of miles. It sifts into everything. After we wash the dishes hundreds of miles. It sifts into everything. After we wash the dishes and put them away, so much dust sifts into the cupboards we must and put them away, so much dust sifts into the cupboards we must wash them again before the next meal…Newspapers say the death wash them again before the next meal…Newspapers say the death of many babies and old people are attributed to breathing in so of many babies and old people are attributed to breathing in so much dirt.much dirt.

Ann Marie Low, Ann Marie Low, Dust Bowl DiaryDust Bowl Diary

The Depression Devastates The Depression Devastates People’s LivesPeople’s Lives

In cities as well as rural, the Depression turned people’s In cities as well as rural, the Depression turned people’s lives into a terrible struggle for survival.lives into a terrible struggle for survival.

The Depression in the CitiesThe Depression in the Cities Many Americans were evicted from their homes because Many Americans were evicted from their homes because

they could not pay their rent or mortgage. they could not pay their rent or mortgage. Some people slept in parks or sewer pipes, wrapped in Some people slept in parks or sewer pipes, wrapped in

newspaper to fend off the cold. newspaper to fend off the cold.

Others built makeshift shacks out of scrap metal. Others built makeshift shacks out of scrap metal. Large Large shantytowns-shantytowns-little towns consisting largely of little towns consisting largely of

shacks-sprang up from the outskirts of cities. shacks-sprang up from the outskirts of cities.

ShantytownsShantytowns

nicknamed “Hoovervilles” after President Hoovernicknamed “Hoovervilles” after President Hoover

A Hooverville/Shantytown in Central Park.A Hooverville/Shantytown in Central Park.

A Personal Voice: Here were all these people living in old, rusted-out car bodies…A Personal Voice: Here were all these people living in old, rusted-out car bodies…There were people living in shacks made of orange crates. One family with a whole There were people living in shacks made of orange crates. One family with a whole lot of kids were living in a piano box…People lived in whatever they could junk lot of kids were living in a piano box…People lived in whatever they could junk together. –Visitor to a shantytown outside Oklahoma City, quoted in together. –Visitor to a shantytown outside Oklahoma City, quoted in Hard Times Hard Times

The Great Depression in the Cities (cont.)The Great Depression in the Cities (cont.) The urban poor would The urban poor would

scrounge for food, dig in scrounge for food, dig in garbage cans, or beg on garbage cans, or beg on the street corners.the street corners.

Soup Kitchens-Soup Kitchens- places places where food is offered for where food is offered for free to the needy.free to the needy.

Bread Lines-Bread Lines- lines of lines of people waiting to receive people waiting to receive food provided by food provided by charities.charities.

City Conditions Were Especially City Conditions Were Especially Difficult for African Americans and Difficult for African Americans and

LatinosLatinos1.1. Unemployment rates for Unemployment rates for

both groups were higher both groups were higher

1.1. Their jobs tend to bring the Their jobs tend to bring the lowest pay. lowest pay.

1.1. Increase in racial violence Increase in racial violence against both groups.against both groups.

1.1. Hundreds of thousands of Hundreds of thousands of people of Mexican descent people of Mexican descent were either deported or were either deported or voluntarily moved back to voluntarily moved back to Mexico.Mexico.

The Depression in Rural AreasThe Depression in Rural Areas Rural life had one Rural life had one

advantage over city life: advantage over city life: most farmers could most farmers could manage to grow some manage to grow some food to feed their food to feed their families.families.

Farmers continued to Farmers continued to lose their land when lose their land when they couldn’t pay off they couldn’t pay off their debts.their debts.

Between 1929 and Between 1929 and 1932, 1932, 400,000 400,000 farms farms were lost through were lost through foreclosure.foreclosure.

The Dust BowlThe Dust Bowl

Dust Bowl (cont.)Dust Bowl (cont.) The drought that began in the early 1930s The drought that began in the early 1930s

caused disaster on the Great Plains. caused disaster on the Great Plains.

Farmers from Texas to North Dakota (Dust Bowl Farmers from Texas to North Dakota (Dust Bowl region) used tractors to break up the grasslands region) used tractors to break up the grasslands and plant millions of acres of new farmland. and plant millions of acres of new farmland.

The land was exhausted through overproduction The land was exhausted through overproduction of crops, and the grasslands became unsuitable of crops, and the grasslands became unsuitable for farming.for farming.

When the drought and winds began in the early When the drought and winds began in the early 1930s, little grass and few trees were left on the 1930s, little grass and few trees were left on the plains to hold soil down. plains to hold soil down.

Oklahoma Dust StormOklahoma Dust Storm

Dust Bowl (cont.)Dust Bowl (cont.)

Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas were hardest hitwere hardest hit

thousands of farmers and thousands of farmers and sharecroppers left their land and sharecroppers left their land and headed west, following Route 66 headed west, following Route 66 to California. to California.

Some of these migrants (aka Some of these migrants (aka OKIES) found work as farm OKIES) found work as farm hands as others wandered in hands as others wandered in search of work.search of work.

By the end of the 1930s, the By the end of the 1930s, the population of California had population of California had grown by more than a million. grown by more than a million.

Effects on the American FamilyEffects on the American Family During the Great Depression, the family stood as a source During the Great Depression, the family stood as a source

of strength for most Americans. of strength for most Americans. Most Americans believed in traditional values and Most Americans believed in traditional values and

emphasized the importance of family unity. emphasized the importance of family unity. Although, some families broke apart under this strain.Although, some families broke apart under this strain. Since money was tight, many families entertained Since money was tight, many families entertained

themselves by staying at home and playing board games themselves by staying at home and playing board games (such as Monopoly) and listening to the radio. (such as Monopoly) and listening to the radio.

What is ironic about Monopoly being a popular game?What is ironic about Monopoly being a popular game?

Monopoly Fun FactsMonopoly Fun Facts

Long games:Long games:The longest MONOPOLY game ever played was 1,680 hours The longest MONOPOLY game ever played was 1,680 hours - that's 70 straight days! - that's 70 straight days! Longest game in a bathtub:Longest game in a bathtub: 99 hours 99 hoursLongest game underwater:Longest game underwater: 45 days 45 daysLongest game played upside-down:Longest game played upside-down: 36 hours 36 hours

The MONOPOLY game at War:The MONOPOLY game at War:Escape maps, compasses, and files, were inserted into Escape maps, compasses, and files, were inserted into MONOPOLY game boards and smuggled into POW camps MONOPOLY game boards and smuggled into POW camps inside Germany during World War II. Real money for inside Germany during World War II. Real money for escapees was slipped into the packs of MONOPOLY money.escapees was slipped into the packs of MONOPOLY money.

Around the World:Around the World:The MONOPOLY game is published in 26 languages and The MONOPOLY game is published in 26 languages and available in 80 countries around the world.available in 80 countries around the world.

Monopoly Fun FactsMonopoly Fun Facts

The Bank: The Bank: PARKER BROTHERS prints about 50 billion dollars worth PARKER BROTHERS prints about 50 billion dollars worth of MONOPOLY money in one year. of MONOPOLY money in one year.

Ever wonder how much MONOPOLY money comes with a standard Ever wonder how much MONOPOLY money comes with a standard set? The total is $15,140.set? The total is $15,140.

Inflation?Inflation?Never heard of it. Values on the MONOPOLY game board are the Never heard of it. Values on the MONOPOLY game board are the

same today as they were in 1935! (But the taxes changed in 1936.) same today as they were in 1935! (But the taxes changed in 1936.)

Parlez-vous MONOPOLY?Parlez-vous MONOPOLY? What do they call Boardwalk in?: What do they call Boardwalk in?:

France?France? Rue de la Paix Rue de la Paix Germany?Germany? Schlossallee SchlossalleeThe Netherlands?The Netherlands? Kalverstraat Kalverstraat The United Kingdom?The United Kingdom? Mayfair Mayfair

Effects on the American FamilyEffects on the American Family

Direct ReliefDirect Relief During the early years there was no federal During the early years there was no federal

system of direct relief.system of direct relief. Direct Relief-Direct Relief-cash payments or food cash payments or food

provided by the government to the poor. provided by the government to the poor. In NYC the weekly payment was just $2.39 In NYC the weekly payment was just $2.39

per family. This was the most generous per family. This was the most generous relief offered by any city, but it was still well relief offered by any city, but it was still well below the amount needed to feed a family. below the amount needed to feed a family.

Men in the Streets and on the RailsMen in the Streets and on the Rails Many men had difficulty coping with unemployment Many men had difficulty coping with unemployment

because they were accustomed to working and because they were accustomed to working and supporting their families. Some men even abandoned supporting their families. Some men even abandoned their families. their families.

Approximately 2 million men wandered the country, Approximately 2 million men wandered the country, hitching rides on railroad boxcars and sleeping under hitching rides on railroad boxcars and sleeping under bridges. bridges.

These homeless men of the 1930s would occasionally These homeless men of the 1930s would occasionally turn up at homeless shelters in big cities.turn up at homeless shelters in big cities.

Men in Search of Jobs Men in Search of Jobs

Women Struggle to SurviveWomen Struggle to Survive Many women helped their Many women helped their

families survive by:families survive by:1.1. canning food canning food 2.2. managing household managing household

budgetsbudgets3.3. sewing clothes sewing clothes 4.4. working outside of the homeworking outside of the home

Women were also the targets Women were also the targets of resentment. Many believed of resentment. Many believed that women, especially married that women, especially married women, had no right to work women, had no right to work when men were unemployed. when men were unemployed.

Many assumed that women Many assumed that women had it easier than men, but had it easier than men, but many women were starving to many women were starving to death in cold attics and death in cold attics and rooming houses.rooming houses.

Women and Children during the Women and Children during the DepressionDepression

Apartment in Chicago, IL.Apartment in Chicago, IL.

Mother and her childrenMother and her children

Children Struggle to SurviveChildren Struggle to Survive Children also suffered from Children also suffered from

poor diets and a lack of poor diets and a lack of money for health care. money for health care.

Milk consumption declined Milk consumption declined across the country, and across the country, and clinics and hospitals reported clinics and hospitals reported a dramatic rise in a dramatic rise in malnutrition and diet related malnutrition and diet related diseases, such as rickets diseases, such as rickets and pellagra. and pellagra.

child-welfare programs were child-welfare programs were slashed as cities and states slashed as cities and states cut their budgets cut their budgets

Children Struggle to SurviveChildren Struggle to Survive Falling tax revenues Falling tax revenues

caused school boards to caused school boards to shorten the school year shorten the school year and even close schools. and even close schools.

By 1933, some 2,600 By 1933, some 2,600

schools across the nation schools across the nation had shut down, leaving had shut down, leaving more than 300,000 more than 300,000 students out school. students out school.

Many children went to Many children went to work instead; they often work instead; they often labored in sweatshops labored in sweatshops under horrendous under horrendous conditions. conditions.

Migrant MotherMigrant Mother

I saw and approached the hungry I saw and approached the hungry and desperate mother, as if drawn and desperate mother, as if drawn by a magnet. I do not remember how by a magnet. I do not remember how I explained my presence or my I explained my presence or my camera to her, but I do remember camera to her, but I do remember she asked me no questions. I made she asked me no questions. I made five exposures, working closer and five exposures, working closer and closer from the same direction. I did closer from the same direction. I did not ask her name or her history. She not ask her name or her history. She told me her age, that she was thirty-told me her age, that she was thirty-two. She said that they had been two. She said that they had been living on frozen vegetables from the living on frozen vegetables from the surrounding fields, and birds that the surrounding fields, and birds that the children killed. She had just sold the children killed. She had just sold the tires from her car to buy food. There tires from her car to buy food. There she sat in that lean- to tent with her she sat in that lean- to tent with her children huddled around her, and children huddled around her, and seemed to know that my pictures seemed to know that my pictures might help her, and so she helped might help her, and so she helped me. There was a sort of equality me. There was a sort of equality about it. (From: about it. (From: Popular Popular PhotographyPhotography, Feb. 1960). , Feb. 1960).

Social and Psychological EffectsSocial and Psychological Effects Between 1928 and 1932, the suicide rate rose by nearly 30%. Between 1928 and 1932, the suicide rate rose by nearly 30%.

Three times as many people were admitted to state mental Three times as many people were admitted to state mental hospitals as in normal times.hospitals as in normal times.

The economic problems forced many Americans to accept The economic problems forced many Americans to accept compromises and make sacrifices that affected them the rest of compromises and make sacrifices that affected them the rest of their lives. their lives.

Adults stopped going to the doctor or dentist because they could Adults stopped going to the doctor or dentist because they could not afford it. not afford it.

Young people gave up their dreams of going to college.Young people gave up their dreams of going to college. Others put off getting married, raising large families, Others put off getting married, raising large families,

or having children at all.or having children at all.

No Work No Work by Blanche Grambsby Blanche Grambs

Quiz Tomorrow!Quiz Tomorrow! Chapter 12:Chapter 12:

Postwar Issues (Nativism, isolationism, Red Scare, Communism, KKK, Postwar Issues (Nativism, isolationism, Red Scare, Communism, KKK, Quota system)Quota system)

Examples of the high standard of living (inventions, buying on credit)Examples of the high standard of living (inventions, buying on credit) Chapter 13:Chapter 13:

Prohibition, bootleggers, speakeasies, 18Prohibition, bootleggers, speakeasies, 18 thth Amendment, The problems Amendment, The problems Prohibition causedProhibition caused

Fundamentalism, Scopes Trial, science v. religionFundamentalism, Scopes Trial, science v. religion The Twenties Woman—what was she like? How was her life different The Twenties Woman—what was she like? How was her life different

than before the 1920s? than before the 1920s? Harlem Renaissance: How did culture in America change as a result of Harlem Renaissance: How did culture in America change as a result of

the Great migration? And who were the big people?the Great migration? And who were the big people? Chapter 14.1, (14.2 in this packet)Chapter 14.1, (14.2 in this packet)

Economic troubles, speculation, buying on marginEconomic troubles, speculation, buying on margin Stock market crash on Black TuesdayStock market crash on Black Tuesday Causes of the Great DepressionCauses of the Great Depression