Social effects on the Depression, Gangsterism + Bonnie & Clyde

Question 1

How was the USA ill equipped to handle unemployment?

Answer 1

There was no federal unemployment benefit

Question 2

Who was blamed for unemployment amongst able bodied people and what impact did this have?

Answer 2

Those that were unemployed were themselves for unemployment. The psychological effects of mass unemployment was devastating.

Question 3

How were marriages, birth rates and suicide rates affected by the Depression?

Answer 3

• No. of marriages fell from 1.23 mil in 1929 to 982,000 in 1932
• Fall in birth rate - from 21.2 per thousand in 1929 to 19.5 per thousand in 1932
• Suicide rates increased from 14 per 10,000 in 1929 to 17.4 per 10,000 in 1932
• -> These were caused by strain on family life e.g unemployment, losing homes + selling belongings to survive

Question 4

Who provided the majority of poor relief in America?

Answer 4

Most relief was provided by charities

Question 5

How were the elderly affected by the Depression?

Answer 5

The majority of elderly people lived below the poverty line + there were very few private pension schemes. This meant that old people traditionally had to keep working, live on their savings to reply on their children for support