(2b) The Human impact of the Depression Flashcards
Workers and Hoboes
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.
Workers and Hoboes:
Homelessness and Hoovervilles
- 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.
Impact on Families
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.
Suicide rates ____ from – per 10,000 to __._ per 10,000 between 19__ and 19__.
Suicide rates rose from 14 per 10,000 to 17.4 per 10,000 between 1929 and 1932.
Impact on Farmers
- Many failed on mortgage payments
- Sharecroppers failed to pay rent and were evicted.
- Food was wasted because farmers couldn’t afford to harvest it.
Impact on ethnic minorities:
Black Americans
- 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.
Impact on ethnic minorities:
Native Americans
- 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.
Impact on ethnic minorities:
Hispanic Americans
- 400,000 were repatriated (deported) back to Mexico.
- Many who were forced to leave were actually US citizens.
Impact on women
- 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.
Family Aid
1931: 3.8 million one-parent families (headed by a woman).
Only 19,280 received any aid.
Extent of relief
Before 1932:
NO STATE had any unemployment insurance - only 11 had any form of pensions.
Gangsterism
- 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).
The _____ cost of the Depression was ________. Millions were __________, and many became ______ travelling the country in search of work.
The human cost of the Depression was enormous. Millions were unemployed, and many became hoboes travelling the country in search of work.