The Great Depression

The Great Depression SWBAT: Explain the effect the Great Depression had on everyday Americans, especially children. Homework: Finish the essay if you do not finish in class. This will be collected tomorrow and graded. Do Now: Do you think the Great Depression was harder on adults or children? Explain.

The Devastation of the Great Depression: in the Cities • Unemployment meant no money which meant huge problems for Americans. • People were evicted from their homes and ended up on the streets. • People slept in parks, sewer pipes, and boxes and wrapped up newspapers to keep warm. • Before long people created shantytowns, little towns consisting of shacks.

Imagine for a second that you went from this to this… • How would you feel? What kind of problems might one face living in a shack like this?

The Devastation Continues… • No income also meant no money for food. • People dug through garbage cans and begged. • Result: • Soup kitchens opened offering free or low cost meals. • Bread lines formed in front of organizations that donated free food to the poor.

Conditions for minorities • Conditions for African Americans and Latinos were especially difficult. • Their unemployment rates were higher and were the lowest paid. • Experienced increased racial violence as whites and minorities competed for jobs. • Results: • # of lynchings increases (24 in 1933 alone) • Mexicans especially either left the US by choice due to violence or were deported by the US government.

The Devastation of the Great Depression: in rural areas • Farmers had one advantage city dwellers did not- they could grow their own food. • However, with rising debt, thousands of farmers lost their land through foreclosure: • This is when someone can’t afford to pay their mortgage and the bank takes back the property due to the individuals inability to make payments. • The problem will be worsened due to the Dust Bowl.

Men, women, and children struggle The Depression and the effect on American Families

Family Life • While some families broke apart due to the pressure of the times, in general, the Great Depression brought families closer together. • Lack of money meant families stayed in and entertained each other by listening to the radio and playing board games (Monopoly was invented in 1933).

Men and Women • Men had difficulty adjusting to unemployment because they were accustomed to working and supporting their families. • At the time there was no system of direct relief, or welfare to help the poor. • Men resented women, too. • Men saw women who outside the home as taking their jobs. • Women were rarely seen in breadlines or homeless, so it appeared they were having an easier time. • In reality, women worked hard to make ends meet. • Canned food, made their own clothing, and budgeted money.

Activity- the effect of the Great Depression on children • Children, perhaps, may have had it worst of all. • Using the website below, you will choose 3 primary sources to read and fill out the accompanying worksheet. • This is an individual activity. • Remember, these are written by children, so the grammar is not perfect. • Be prepared to go over your answers at the end of class. • http://www.digitalhistory.uh.edu/learning_history/children_depression/help_president.cfm

The Great Depression