Spread of the Great Depression Flashcards
Unemployment before the Great Depression
Unemployment was as low as 3.2%
Unemployment during the depression
Unemployment in the US was 25.2%
US GDP before the depression
GDP in 1920 was $73 billion, in 1929 was $104 billion
What was US GDP after the depression
GDP dropped by almost 50% from $104 billion to $54 billion
What were car sales like before the great depression
- Sold 4,455,178 in 1929
- 27 million cars on the road
- 75% purchased on credit
What were car sales like after the depression
Car sales had dropped to 1,103,557 and credit was virtually unavailable
How many banks were open and closed before 1929
30,000 banks across the country and only 5000 closed during this time
How many banks were closed during 1929-1933
Almost double the amount prior with 10,000 closing in the 4 year period
How was the national wage bill affected by the depression
Nationally, in 1932 wages had dropped by 60%
What were suicide rates like before and after the depression
- Suicide rates were at 14% of the population per 10,000 people in 1929
- This rose to 17.4% of the population per 10,000 people in 1932
How were black people affected by the depression
The number of black americans unemployed was 4-6 times higher than white unemployment rates
How were families affected by the depression
3.8 million single-parent families headed by women and only 19,280 received aid
What was the state of homelessness during the depression
- Millions were made homeless and set up Hoovervilles
- Hoovervilles were slums made up of any material that was readily available
- St Louis, New York, and Washington were home to some of the largest Hoovervilles
