Impact of the Great Impact of the Great Depression on Depression on American SocietyAmerican Society

IB History of the Americas IB History of the Americas

Note-taking activityNote-taking activity

Use the chart provided that divides these topics.Use the chart provided that divides these topics. RuralRural UrbanUrban MenMen WomenWomen African AmericansAfrican Americans Latinos/HispanicsLatinos/Hispanics ChildrenChildren

In the space provided, list facts regarding the impact of the In the space provided, list facts regarding the impact of the Great Depression Great Depression

RURAL LIFE DURING THE RURAL LIFE DURING THE DEPRESSIONDEPRESSION

While the Depression While the Depression was difficult for was difficult for everyone, farmers did everyone, farmers did have one advantage; have one advantage; they they could grow food for their could grow food for their familiesfamilies

Thousands of farmers, Thousands of farmers, however, however, lost their landlost their land

Many turned to tenant Many turned to tenant farming and barely farming and barely scraped out a livingscraped out a living

Between 1929-1932 almost ½ million farmers lost their land

Rural people (farmers)Rural people (farmers)

They were also hit hard by the They were also hit hard by the depression. Many lost their lands and depression. Many lost their lands and had to become sharecroppers. had to become sharecroppers.

The only advantage for these people was The only advantage for these people was the fact that they could grow food for the fact that they could grow food for themselves. If they had the land.themselves. If they had the land.

Rural AreasRural Areas

Some farmers could manage to grow Some farmers could manage to grow their own food.their own food.

1929-1932 over 400,000 farms were lost 1929-1932 over 400,000 farms were lost to foreclosure.to foreclosure.

Many farmers Many farmers became tenant became tenant farmers.farmers.

Many people Many people packed up and packed up and moved to California moved to California looking for looking for agricultural work.agricultural work.

Disaster Meets Disaster!Disaster Meets Disaster!

Dust BowlDust Bowl

The “ground zero” of the Dust Bowl The “ground zero” of the Dust Bowl included parts of Colorado, New Mexico, included parts of Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas.

The effects of the Dustbowl would The effects of the Dustbowl would physically impact about 26 states.physically impact about 26 states.

The overall effect would be felt The overall effect would be felt throughout the whole nation. throughout the whole nation.

Great Depression in the Great Depression in the Cities Cities

People in the cities not only People in the cities not only lost their jobs, they lost their lost their jobs, they lost their homes! This led to:homes! This led to: Shantytowns or Shantytowns or

Hoovervilles/HoovertownsHoovervilles/Hoovertowns Soup KitchensSoup Kitchens BreadlinesBreadlines

In Detroit…In Detroit…

The Great Depression crippled the The Great Depression crippled the industries of Michigan as well. Henry industries of Michigan as well. Henry Ford was one of the many tycoons who Ford was one of the many tycoons who resisted the idea that the economy was resisted the idea that the economy was bad. He Actually gave raises. Then a bad. He Actually gave raises. Then a year later decreased pay.year later decreased pay.

Impact on Workers and Farmers Impact on Workers and Farmers

August 1931 – Ford August 1931 – Ford closed its Detroit closed its Detroit factories.factories. 75,000 75,000

unemployed in unemployed in one day.one day.

Millions others Millions others unemployed.unemployed.

Effect on Workers and FarmersEffect on Workers and Farmers

Because large Because large factories closed – factories closed – small businesses small businesses and restaurants and restaurants began to fail too.began to fail too. No customersNo customers No merchandiseNo merchandise Rich people laid Rich people laid

off staff off staff

Review of Stock MarketReview of Stock Market

UnemploymentUnemployment

Before the Great Depression the percentage of the nation Before the Great Depression the percentage of the nation that was unemployed was 3.2%.that was unemployed was 3.2%.

By 1933, approximately 25% of the nations population was By 1933, approximately 25% of the nations population was unemployed, which translates to 13 million people out of unemployed, which translates to 13 million people out of jobs.jobs.

In the citiesIn the cities-Many people could not make their mortgage or rent -Many people could not make their mortgage or rent payments and ended up being homeless.payments and ended up being homeless.-Many families would have to scrounge around in garbage -Many families would have to scrounge around in garbage cans for food or beg on street corners from the wealthy cans for food or beg on street corners from the wealthy people that passed by.people that passed by.

BONUS BONUS ARMYARMY

A 1932 incident further A 1932 incident further damaged Hoover’s imagedamaged Hoover’s image

That spring about That spring about 15,000 15,000 World War I vetsWorld War I vets arrived arrived in Washington to support in Washington to support a proposed billa proposed bill

The The Patman BillPatman Bill would would have authorized Congress have authorized Congress to pay a bonus to WWI to pay a bonus to WWI vets immediatelyvets immediately

The bonus was scheduled The bonus was scheduled to be paid in 1945 --- The to be paid in 1945 --- The Army Army vets wanted it NOWvets wanted it NOW

BONUS ARMY BONUS ARMY TURNED DOWNTURNED DOWN

Hoover called Hoover called the Bonus the Bonus marchers, marchers, “Communists “Communists and criminals”and criminals”

On June 17, On June 17, 1932 the 1932 the Senate Senate voted down the voted down the Patman BillPatman Bill

Thousands of Bonus Army soldiers protest – Spring 1932

BONUS MARCHERS CLASH BONUS MARCHERS CLASH WITH SOLDIERSWITH SOLDIERS

Hoover told the Bonus Hoover told the Bonus marchers to go home– marchers to go home– most didmost did

2,000 refused to leave2,000 refused to leave Hoover sent a force of Hoover sent a force of

1,000 soldiers under the 1,000 soldiers under the command of General command of General Douglas MacArthurDouglas MacArthur and and his aide his aide Dwight Dwight EisenhowerEisenhower

AMERICANS SHOCKED AT AMERICANS SHOCKED AT TREATMENT OF WWI VETSTREATMENT OF WWI VETS

MacArthur’s 12MacArthur’s 12thth infantry gassed more than 1,000 infantry gassed more than 1,000 marchers, including an 11-month old baby, who diedmarchers, including an 11-month old baby, who died

Two vets were shot and scores injuredTwo vets were shot and scores injured Americans were outraged and Hoover’s image Americans were outraged and Hoover’s image

sufferedsuffered

Impact on MenImpact on Men Men finding themselves out of work now had to Men finding themselves out of work now had to

rely on their wives and children in some cases to rely on their wives and children in some cases to help make ends meet.help make ends meet.

Many did not take this loss of power as the Many did not take this loss of power as the primary decision maker and breadwinner very primary decision maker and breadwinner very well. well.

Some became so frustrated that they just walked Some became so frustrated that they just walked out on their families completely. A 1940 survey out on their families completely. A 1940 survey revealed that 1.5 million married women had revealed that 1.5 million married women had been abandoned by their husbands.been abandoned by their husbands.

Families all over the Families all over the United States faced hard United States faced hard times.times. American families faced hard times.American families faced hard times.

Some forced to split up.Some forced to split up. Some roamed the country trying to find work.Some roamed the country trying to find work. Children often had to drop out of school and take low-paying jobs or Children often had to drop out of school and take low-paying jobs or

leave home and fend for themselves.leave home and fend for themselves. Many tried to stick together for moral support.Many tried to stick together for moral support. Women tried to save money by keeping an eye on the family budget: Women tried to save money by keeping an eye on the family budget:

Example: groups of women would go shopping together, buy in bulk, Example: groups of women would go shopping together, buy in bulk, and split the food and costs and split the food and costs

Women would patch up old clothes instead of buying new onesWomen would patch up old clothes instead of buying new ones

Impact on Family Life Impact on Family Life

Many couples delayed Many couples delayed marriage - the divorce marriage - the divorce rate dropped sharply (it rate dropped sharply (it was too expensive to pay was too expensive to pay the legal fees and support the legal fees and support two households);two households);

and birth rates dropped and birth rates dropped below the replacement below the replacement level for the first time in level for the first time in American history.American history.

Stress on FamiliesStress on Families

Men felt like failures Men felt like failures for not providing for for not providing for families.families.

Women were often Women were often fired for “taking” jobs fired for “taking” jobs from men.from men. Particularly if Particularly if

marriedmarried Women took low-paying jobs as Women took low-paying jobs as

domestics.domestics.

Social & Psychological Social & Psychological EffectsEffects

People had become so demoralized by the People had become so demoralized by the experience that suicides increased 30% during experience that suicides increased 30% during 1928-1932.1928-1932.

Many people did not go to see a doctor or a Many people did not go to see a doctor or a dentist because they didn’t have the money to dentist because they didn’t have the money to spare. spare. -People had to make tough decisions as to how to -People had to make tough decisions as to how to spend their money. In most cases it came down to spend their money. In most cases it came down to life and death.life and death.

Women who didn’t work before took jobs to help Women who didn’t work before took jobs to help support the family when the man was out of worksupport the family when the man was out of work

Social & Psychological effects Social & Psychological effects cont...cont...

Men that believed they had to provide for their Men that believed they had to provide for their family, would leave home to find workfamily, would leave home to find work-In order to do this they would ride the rails -In order to do this they would ride the rails across the country in search of jobs and send across the country in search of jobs and send money back home when they were employed.money back home when they were employed.

Society recognized with various needs of one Society recognized with various needs of one another and tried to help.another and tried to help.-People would give blankets, food and even -People would give blankets, food and even space in their home for families that were in space in their home for families that were in need.need.

Depression’s Effect on HealthDepression’s Effect on Health

““No one has No one has starved.”starved.” President HooverPresident Hoover

Effect on HealthEffect on Health But some did.But some did. Thousands went hungry.Thousands went hungry. Poor, hungry and without Poor, hungry and without

shelter – more prone to shelter – more prone to illness.illness.

Particularly children- Particularly children- suffered from poor diets suffered from poor diets and lack of health care. and lack of health care.

Malnutrition rose from 18% Malnutrition rose from 18% in 1928 to 60% in 1931in 1928 to 60% in 1931

Impact on HealthImpact on Health In the country, people In the country, people

grew food. grew food. Used for food and to Used for food and to

barter for other goods.barter for other goods. In the cities, sold apples In the cities, sold apples

and pencils.and pencils. Begged for money and Begged for money and

food.food. Fought over restaurant Fought over restaurant

garbage.garbage.

Closeness in a Time of Closeness in a Time of NeedNeed

The Great Depression brought communities back together.The Great Depression brought communities back together.

-People would go out of their way for others.-People would go out of their way for others.

-The old habits of our nation had returned and would shape a new -The old habits of our nation had returned and would shape a new generation of people that lived through one of America’s hardest generation of people that lived through one of America’s hardest times.times.

The Great Depression would also change people’s lifestyles from The Great Depression would also change people’s lifestyles from spending money freely to saving and thriftiness.spending money freely to saving and thriftiness.

WomenWomen The majority of women found The majority of women found

themselves struggling to get by themselves struggling to get by with less.with less.

The typical American woman had The typical American woman had a husband still employed, a husband still employed, although not working full time although not working full time andand taking a pay cut.taking a pay cut.

Most women experienced the Most women experienced the Depression in terms increased Depression in terms increased domestic labor as wage cuts and domestic labor as wage cuts and unemployment or partial unemployment or partial employmentemployment sharply reduced sharply reduced household budgetshousehold budgets

Eleanor Roosevelt’s Eleanor Roosevelt’s It’s It’s Up to the Women Up to the Women (1933)(1933)

•Book aimed at showing women how to pull country through economic crisis:–

•"The women know that life must go on and that the needs of life must be met and it is their courage and determination which, time and again, have pulled us through worse crises than the present one.”

•Women's daily lives summarized by E.R. as "endless little economies and constant anxiety for fear of some catastrophe such as accident or illness which may completely swamp the family budget."

Household IncomesHousehold Incomes

Over half of families in the 1930s had incomes between $500 and Over half of families in the 1930s had incomes between $500 and $1,500 a year.–Median income for 1935-36 was $1,160.$1,500 a year.–Median income for 1935-36 was $1,160.

This meant families had to make do on $20-25 a weekThis meant families had to make do on $20-25 a week With care, a woman could feed a family of six on $5 a week:With care, a woman could feed a family of six on $5 a week:

––milk at l0c a quart,milk at l0c a quart,––a loaf of bread at 7c,a loaf of bread at 7c,––butter 23c a pound,butter 23c a pound,––two pounds hamburger for 25ctwo pounds hamburger for 25c

Women's Bureau, Betty Crocker, home economists across Women's Bureau, Betty Crocker, home economists across country developed recipes for women using cheaper and fewer country developed recipes for women using cheaper and fewer ingredients with which to stretch their budgets and feed their ingredients with which to stretch their budgets and feed their families.families.

Domestic ViolenceDomestic Violence

••Tension of this arrangement visible in sharp rise in Tension of this arrangement visible in sharp rise in domestic violence reports.domestic violence reports.

••As domestic violence epidemic is noted by government As domestic violence epidemic is noted by government agenciesagencies

.•Women are officially told that domestic violence is the .•Women are officially told that domestic violence is the result of men’s depression and women’s lack of result of men’s depression and women’s lack of sympathy.sympathy.

••Women are advised to return home and make their Women are advised to return home and make their men feel more like men.men feel more like men.

Effects on Women and Effects on Women and ChildrenChildren

it was believed that if all married women it was believed that if all married women left the workforce then there would be left the workforce then there would be enough jobs for men-1931enough jobs for men-1931 Working women became targets of Working women became targets of

resentment.resentment.

Some people believed women had no Some people believed women had no right to work while men were right to work while men were unemployed.unemployed.

Impact on Children: Impact on Children: EducationEducation

2,600 2,600 schools shut schools shut down.down.

300,000 300,000 students out students out of school.of school.

Many went to Many went to work instead.work instead.

Discrimination IncreasesDiscrimination Increases Times created Times created

hostilities against hostilities against minorities.minorities. Whites were willing to take Whites were willing to take

the low wages of Asian-the low wages of Asian-Americans, Hispanics and Americans, Hispanics and African-Americans.African-Americans.

Mass deportation of Mass deportation of Mexican-Americans – even Mexican-Americans – even though they were born in though they were born in the USA!the USA!

Minority Groups and the Minority Groups and the DepressionDepression

Mexican-Americans

• As white families moved west, it became harder for Mexican Americans to find work.

• In California, local leaders and unions convinced government to deport many Mexican-born workers and their children, many of whom were U.S. citizens.

• A shortage of jobs in the Southwest led to the illegal deportation of 500,000 Mexican-Americans so that whites could get more jobs or government relief. (Mexican Repatriation)

African Americans

• Faced discrimination

– Many lost jobs to unemployed white workers.

• Many able to find work through relief programs.

• African American leaders acted as advisors to Roosevelt.

– Mary McLeod Bethune was an educator appointed to Roosevelt’s cabinet.

– African Americans appointed to Roosevelt’s cabinet were known as the Black Cabinet.

Mary McLeod Bethune: Mary McLeod Bethune: helped establish “the helped establish “the black cabinet,” headed up black cabinet,” headed up the National Youth the National Youth Association, and advised Association, and advised Roosevelt on racial Roosevelt on racial issuesissues

Marion Anderson: Marion Anderson: performed at Lincoln performed at Lincoln Memorial which was Memorial which was arranged by Eleanor arranged by Eleanor RooseveltRoosevelt

Impact on African Impact on African AmericansAmericansMany African American teenage boys ages Many African American teenage boys ages

15-24 didn’t want to be a burden so they left 15-24 didn’t want to be a burden so they left their families to ride the rails and look for work. their families to ride the rails and look for work.

African Americans suffered more than whites, African Americans suffered more than whites, since their jobs were often taken away from since their jobs were often taken away from them and given to whites. In 1930, 50 percent them and given to whites. In 1930, 50 percent of blacks were unemployed. of blacks were unemployed.

Children took on more responsibilities, Children took on more responsibilities, sometimes finding worksometimes finding work

By 1932, 40 to 50 percent of black workers in By 1932, 40 to 50 percent of black workers in Chicago were unemployed. Chicago were unemployed.

Impact on MexicansImpact on Mexicans

High unemployment rates led to hostility High unemployment rates led to hostility towards Mexican immigrantstowards Mexican immigrants

Deportation – but situation is Mexico is worse Deportation – but situation is Mexico is worse Migrant work camps established by U.S. Migrant work camps established by U.S.

Farm Security AdministrationFarm Security Administration Provided necessitiesProvided necessities ProtectionProtection Sense of communitySense of community

Mexican RepatriationMexican Repatriation The The Mexican RepatriationMexican Repatriation refers to a mass migration refers to a mass migration

that took place between 1929 and 1939, when as many that took place between 1929 and 1939, when as many as 500,000 people of Mexican descent were forced or as 500,000 people of Mexican descent were forced or pressured to leave the US.pressured to leave the US.

50% were American Citizens (children of illegal 50% were American Citizens (children of illegal immigrants) immigrants)

The Immigration and Naturalization Service targeted The Immigration and Naturalization Service targeted Mexicans because of "the proximity of the Mexican border Mexicans because of "the proximity of the Mexican border and easily identifiable barrios." and easily identifiable barrios."

The Repatriation is not widely discussed in American The Repatriation is not widely discussed in American history textbookshistory textbooks

These actions were authorized by President Herbert These actions were authorized by President Herbert Hoover and targeted areas with large Hispanic Hoover and targeted areas with large Hispanic populations, mostly in California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois populations, mostly in California, Texas, Colorado, Illinois and Michigan.and Michigan.

Deportation of Mexican Deportation of Mexican Americans at Union StationAmericans at Union Station

Depression-era culture Depression-era culture helped lift people’s helped lift people’s spirits.spirits.

Works Progress Administration– put artists to work and helped to create a record of life during the Depression

Writers like John Steinbeck explored the theme of Depression life in his writings.

Some musicians, like folk singer Some musicians, like folk singer Woody GuthrieWoody Guthrie, , expressed themes of loss and struggle, reflecting the expressed themes of loss and struggle, reflecting the American Depression experience.American Depression experience.

Swing music helped people forget their troubles and lifted Swing music helped people forget their troubles and lifted spirits.spirits.

WPA

Literature

Music

Radio

• Movies offered Americans another way to escape from reality.

• Radios provided inexpensive entertainment with music and popular radio shows.

Film

The New Deal has had long-reaching effects:

• Gave Americans help and hope in a time of severe crisis

• Expanded the role of federal government

• Some agencies and programs still exist today and remain an important part of American society.

– Social Security still provides economic relief to the elderly, children, and those with disabilities.

– Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation protects the savings of bank customers.

The New Deal had lasting The New Deal had lasting effects on American effects on American society.society.

Ending activity… Ending activity…

In one paragraph: REFLECT ON In one paragraph: REFLECT ON what what you thought about the different troubles you thought about the different troubles each sex/race/age had to go through. each sex/race/age had to go through.

In one paragraph: ANSWER In one paragraph: ANSWER Which race/age/sex would be the best to be Which race/age/sex would be the best to be

during the Great Depression? The worst? during the Great Depression? The worst? PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR PROVIDE EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT YOUR CLAIMSCLAIMS