Employment: There were very few jobs during the Great Depression. Unemployment rates dramatically increased when the stock market crashed. The unemployment rate for African-Americans and Latinos were higher. Millions of people lost their jobs and ended up homeless living on the streets or in shantytowns. Men would set out the walk the streets everyday in search for a job. Many woman worked outside of their homes although they usually made less money than men did. As the depression moved on, working woman became a target for resentment. Many people believed woman, especially married woman, shouldn't have the right to work when there were men who were unemployed.
Housing: Millions of people were left homeless due to the Great Depression. They lost their jobs, were evicted from their homes, and would end up living on the streets. They found shelter where ever they could in parks or sewer pipes with nothing but newspaper to keep them warm. Some would built shacks made from scrap metal. Numerous shacks became known as Shantytowns. The poor would dig through garbage cans or begging for resources. Soup kitchens and bread lines became a common sight.
Farming: Living in a rural area gave farmers an advantage over city life; most were able to grow food for their families. But with falling prices and rising debt, thousands of farmers lost their land through foreclosure. Many farmers turned to tenant farming and barely made a living. Thousands of farmers left their land behind due to drought and sand storms. Thousands of farm families had migrated to California and other Pacific Coast states due to the drought and lack of farm land.
Race relations: Unemployment rates for African-Americans and Latinos were higher and they were the lowest paid. African-Americans and Latinos had to deal with racial violence from unemployed whites competing for the same jobs. Many whites felt that the Latinos should be deported or expelled from the country even though many had been born in America. By the late 1930's, thousands of people of Mexican decent left and relocated in Mexico, some were voluntary while others were deported by the federal government.
Family life: Americans believed in traditional values and the importance of family unity especially during a time of hardship. With no money to spend many families found entertainment in staying home and playing board games, such as Monopoly, and listening to the radio. The economic difficulties put pressure on family life. Making ends meet was a daily struggle and many families broke apart. Some men became so discouraged by unemployment that they abandoned their families. Families in New York City were given $2.39 as a weekly payment from charity services.
Physical health: During the 1930's children were suffering greatly. Due to lack of money, children had poor diets which led to serious health problems. Milk consumption decreased across the country and doctors reported a dramatic rise in malnutrition and diet related diseased such as rickets. Young boys and teenagers would hop aboard freight trains in search of work, adventure, or to escape from poverty. Many riders were beaten or jailed or accidentally locked in ice cars for days or fell pray to murderous criminals.
Emotional health: The hardship of the Great Depression had a tremendous emotional impact. Many people were so demoralized that they lost their will to survive. Between 1928 and 1932, the suicide rate increased more than 30 percent. Three times as many people were admitted to mental hospitals compared to normal times. Many had to make huge sacrifices in order to survive. Adults stopped going to dentists and doctors because they couldn't afford it. Children gave up their dreams of going to college and couples often put off getting married or having children at all. During the Great Depression many people showed great kindness to strangers. They offered them food, clothing, or a place to rest. Families helped families which strengthened the bonds within communities.
Explain or define each of the following:
Dust bowl: The region that was hit the hardest by the drought that began in the early 1930's was called the Dust bowl. The Dust bowl included parts of Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas, New Mexico, and Colorado.
Shantytown: Shantytowns were little towns consisting of shacks built from scrap metal during the Great Depression. People would built shacks when they lost their homes and became homeless.
Direct Relief: During the early years of the Great Depression there was no direct relief or federal system. Direct Relief were cash payments or food provided by the government to the poor. Most cities did not offer relief to those who needed it.
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