Rich and poor Flashcards
What was revealed in the 1929 survey of Americans (think wealth and people)
60% american people lived below poverty line
How much of the wealth did 5% of the population earn
33% of the wealth
How much did people below the poverty line earn per year?
Less than $2000
How many American people were involved in farming
Almost Half of the whole population
How did tractors and combine harvesters help the farming industry
They helped farmers produce more food more quickly
What does surplus mean
The goods left over once a requirement is met
What was a result of farmers producing a surplus of food
Food prices dropped
Small farmers on lower income and had difficultly keeping up with mortgage repayments
What was a result of farmers not keeping up with their mortgages
Eviction
Forced to sell land
What happened to the farm labourers
They found themselves out of work
Drifted to towns or California where there was a promise of work on fruit farms
How many black farm workers lost their jobs in the 1920s
Almost 1 million
Where did black farmers move to (state where they lived and where they went)
Homes in south to cities of north
What happened in cities to black migrants from south and new immigrants in the country (in terms of work)
Both usually able to find work, but for very low pay
Why did the coal industry suffer
New forms of power: oil, gas and electricity became widely used
What was the result of the overcoming of coal
Wage cuts, job losses and mine closures
Name two other industry’s that suffered the same as the coal industry
Cotton farming and textiles
