Poverty Flashcards
In 1929 1/3 of the country’s wealth was owned by what proportion of people?
5%
How many families had an annual income of less than $2500?
71%
Why did poverty affect black people?
About 10% of population were black but they were tested as inferior so got less opportunities
Why were immigrants affected by poverty?
Non white north European immigrants were seen as a threat to American culture so we’re poorly treated
Why were some white people poor?
People working in old industry’s such as coal mines had bad working conditions and low wages because of the competition with oil and electricity industries
Néw machinery meant fewer workers required
Why were farmers affected by poverty?
Overproduction led to low prices so many fell into debt and lost land
After WW1 European countries were no longer exporting American goods
Fierce competition with Canadian farmers causing prices to fall
Why did African Americans not benefit from the boom?
They faces discrimination (particularly in the south) so weren’t given equal opportunity
Many moved to north for better education and jobs (numbers of blacks in New York and Chicago doubles in the 1920’s)
Why did native Americans not benefit from the boom?
We’re discriminated against
Numbers declines from 1.5 million to 250,000 in 1920
Those who stayed lived in extreme poverty, had poor health, poor education and Low paid jobs
