Life During the Great Depression The Great Depression was one of the hardest times in United States history for families as well. The citizens of the U.S. were thrown into a dark time. With the crash of the stock market in 1929 and the American economy crushed, American farmers, who could not make any money on their crops, were also losing $1.50 per acre of land they planted (S., Collin). Having no mercy on the farmers, the elements took their toll. As giant dust storms destroyed fields, it left farmers broke with no way to repair the damage, forcing many to leave their homes in search of different work.
Misfortune continued in the nation; factories closed from overproduction, and unemployment rates sky-rocketed. By 1933 thirty-four million American citizens had absolutely no source of income, and poverty in the U.S. had become a major issue. More than 60% of people were officially considered to be living in poverty, and all unemployed citizens were dependent on the local soup kitchens for survival. In addition to unemployment, 2 million American were homeless and left to wander the streets, from town to town, looking for work. However, acting with instinctual self-preservation, towns became riddled with signs telling these homeless, out of work people to go away...yet they had nowhere to go. Searching for food and a place to sleep for the night, these adults, and children alike, were quickly slipping away (S., Collin). As President Coolidge so aptly stated, “In other periods of depression, it has always been possible to see some things which were solid and upon which you could base hope, but as I look about, I now see nothing to give ground to hope —nothing of man.” Homeless, unemployed, and discouraged, Americans walked the streets of our country; sick, tired, poor, and losing hope. These people, of a once strong and successful nation, had lost their desire to push forward.
REFERENCES:
S., Colin; October 19, 2008. Causes and effects of the great depression; in History. Accessed November 8, 2010. http://socyberty.com/history/causes-and-effects-of-the-great-depression/
Jones, Wood, Borstelmann, May, Ruiz. Created Equal, Brief Edition, Volume 2, 3/e, eBook. Part Eight. Accessed November 8, 2010.
Photo: Mark Jarvis Dropped from Payroll: December 31,2008 http://www.tribbleagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2_great_depression.jpg
Jones, Wood, Borstelmann, May, Ruiz. Created Equal, Brief Edition, Volume 2, 3/e, eBook. Part Eight. Accessed November 8, 2010.
Photo: Mark Jarvis Dropped from Payroll: December 31,2008 http://www.tribbleagency.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/2_great_depression.jpg
