(2b) The Human impact of the Depression Flashcards

1
Q

Workers and Hoboes

A

The US lacked the infrastructure for mass unemployment - no federal aid because unemployment was seen as the individual’s fault - charity under immense pressure.
By 1932, 1 million migrant (itinerant) workers.

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2
Q

Workers and Hoboes:

Homelessness and Hoovervilles

A
  • Many moved to shanty towns on the outskirts of industrial towns and cities after losing their houses.
  • Shanty towns grew and were known as ‘Hoovervilles’ - they blamed President Hoover.
  • St Louis, Missouri, saw the largest and longest standing Hooverville.
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3
Q

Impact on Families

A
Huge strain on families as they received very little aid (referenced later).
The marriage rate decreased:
   - 1929: 1.23 million
   - 1932: 982,000
There was also a fall in birth rate:
   - 1929: 21.2 per thousand.
   - 1932: 19.5 per thousand.
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4
Q

Suicide rates ____ from – per 10,000 to __._ per 10,000 between 19__ and 19__.

A

Suicide rates rose from 14 per 10,000 to 17.4 per 10,000 between 1929 and 1932.

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5
Q

Impact on Farmers

A
  • Many failed on mortgage payments
  • Sharecroppers failed to pay rent and were evicted.
  • Food was wasted because farmers couldn’t afford to harvest it.
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6
Q

Impact on ethnic minorities:

Black Americans

A
  • Unemployment amongst black Americans was 4-6 times higher than white americans.
  • By 1933: 50% of Black Americans were unemployed vs 25% of white Americans.
  • Northern migration slowed (300,000 in the Depression years).
  • Most southern sharecroppers were black Americans.
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7
Q

Impact on ethnic minorities:

Native Americans

A
  • Already living in immense poverty due to the Dawes Severalty Act of 1887 - native american land had been sold off and they had to assimilate.
  • Many lived in squalor and idleness.
  • Depression made it harder to leave poverty.
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8
Q

Impact on ethnic minorities:

Hispanic Americans

A
  • 400,000 were repatriated (deported) back to Mexico.

- Many who were forced to leave were actually US citizens.

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9
Q

Impact on women

A
  • More likely to lose their jobs than men.
  • Many married women had to work to support the family - however, HALF of the 48 states banned the employment on married women.
  • Blamed for male unemployment.
  • 1930: 75% of school authorities refused to employ married women.
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10
Q

Family Aid

A

1931: 3.8 million one-parent families (headed by a woman).

Only 19,280 received any aid.

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11
Q

Extent of relief

A

Before 1932:

NO STATE had any unemployment insurance - only 11 had any form of pensions.

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12
Q

Gangsterism

A
  • Huge increase in violent crime.
  • Outlaws were seen as Robin Hood characters - such as Bonnie and Clyde.
  • John Dillinger became ‘Public Enemy Number One’ and was caught in an FBI trap in Chicago (1934).
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13
Q

The _____ cost of the Depression was ________. Millions were __________, and many became ______ travelling the country in search of work.

A

The human cost of the Depression was enormous. Millions were unemployed, and many became hoboes travelling the country in search of work.

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