Life in the Great Life in the Great Depression Depression 1929-19321929-1932

UnemploymentUnemployment

Thousands of businesses shut down Thousands of businesses shut down (esp. luxury items/services)(esp. luxury items/services)

Millions of workers were Millions of workers were unemployedunemployed

Without work…there’s Without work…there’s no income no income

Families struggled to Families struggled to pay bills and buy food pay bills and buy food

Spending decreasedSpending decreased ““Downward Spiral”Downward Spiral”

HoovervillesHoovervilles Families struggled to pay mortgageFamilies struggled to pay mortgage Banks foreclosed on family's homesBanks foreclosed on family's homes ForecloseForeclose = when banks take = when banks take

away property away property Some built shacks just outside Some built shacks just outside

of town of town Made of cardboard boxes, metal Made of cardboard boxes, metal

sheets, or leftover woodsheets, or leftover wood Small, no water, dirty, “rundown”Small, no water, dirty, “rundown” Called Hoovervilles: Named after Called Hoovervilles: Named after

Pres. Hoover – blamed himPres. Hoover – blamed him

Surviving in the CitySurviving in the City Employment agencies were Employment agencies were

overloaded with unemployedoverloaded with unemployed Some sold fruit for moneySome sold fruit for money Others washed windowsOthers washed windows

Some cities set up relief aidSome cities set up relief aid ReliefRelief = survival needs provided = survival needs provided

for free (food, clothing, shelter, for free (food, clothing, shelter, etc.)etc.)

Bread lines, soup kitchens Bread lines, soup kitchens offered free food to those in offered free food to those in needneed

In time, became too fullIn time, became too full Some begged for moneySome begged for money Some turned to crimeSome turned to crime

Jail gave 3 square meals and a roof Jail gave 3 square meals and a roof over your headover your head

Others simply wanted a jobOthers simply wanted a job

Surviving in the Surviving in the CountryCountry

Because of oversupply Because of oversupply (after WWI), many farms (after WWI), many farms are foreclosed on by the are foreclosed on by the bank, and many farmers bank, and many farmers are left unemployed.are left unemployed.

Some small farms are able to Some small farms are able to get by living off of what they get by living off of what they grow, but many were forced to grow, but many were forced to look for another option.look for another option.

The Dust Bowl added to the The Dust Bowl added to the troubles of many farmerstroubles of many farmers

What is the Dust Bowl? Throughout the Great Plains, a

period of severe dust storms caused major agricultural damage (farm land) from 1930 to 1936.

The storms happened because of: Drought (period of little/no rain) Extensive farming

Didn’t rotate crops and plowed prairie grasses out of top soil - caused erosion of the soil

Texas and Oklahoma were hit the hardest

Heading WestHeading West People needed to find workPeople needed to find work Many people headed westMany people headed west California = jobs California = jobs (mostly (mostly

unaffected during the Depression)unaffected during the Depression)

Packed the car and left orPacked the car and left or…… Others rode the trainOthers rode the train Some illegally = hoboSome illegally = hobo Train-hopping from town to Train-hopping from town to

towntown Looking for work/foodLooking for work/food ““Riding the railsRiding the rails””

President Hoover President Hoover RespondsResponds

Hoover’s goal was to boost the confidence of Hoover’s goal was to boost the confidence of the American people and remain optimisticthe American people and remain optimistic ““Prosperity is just around the corner”Prosperity is just around the corner”

What did he do?What did he do? Lowered TaxesLowered Taxes Started gov’t programs to create jobs Started gov’t programs to create jobs

(built Hoover Dam)(built Hoover Dam) Gave some loans to farmersGave some loans to farmers Believed in private organization/charitiesBelieved in private organization/charities

Red Cross: Soup Kitchens, Breadlines,Red Cross: Soup Kitchens, Breadlines, Salvation Army: Charity drivesSalvation Army: Charity drives

Hoover’s actions didn’t change muchHoover’s actions didn’t change much Unemployment 25%-50%Unemployment 25%-50% 23,000 Bankrupt Businesses in 192923,000 Bankrupt Businesses in 1929 2 Million Homeless in 19322 Million Homeless in 1932

People lost hope in HooverPeople lost hope in Hoover Looked for someone else to leadLooked for someone else to lead