African Americans Already treated as second-class citizens When the Depression hit, treated even worse Whites given preferential treatment for relief and work

Businessmen Willing to work, but no work available Very proud; do not want to beg or ask for relief Cannot support families

Children Did not understand the Depression Why can’t dad find a job? Why is the bank taking our house? Wanted to work and help, but can’t find jobs Got sick due to malnutrition Couldn’t go to school

Families Some parents gave their children away Homelessness They couldn’t take care of them Homelessness Lots of moving from place to place looking for work Malnutrition Families joined together to help each other out

Farmers Farmers lost their farms to banks Dust Bowl Farmers moved around looking for work

Mexican-Americans Lost work to whites Deported! Mexican became “bad” Even the citizens! Mexican became “bad” Many Americans were OK with Mexicans before the Depression Competition with Mexicans after the Depression led to anti-Mexican sentiment

Migrant Workers Do the work, then LEAVE! Moved from place to place Hard life No chance of improving life

Women Tried to provide for families/children, but couldn’t Women did the shopping, cooking, and cleaning Must suffer the wrath of angry husbands “Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without!”

In General… By 1933: 12 million workers were unemployed 30,000 companies had gone out of business Many people lost their jobs, homes, families, etc.

In General… Hoovervilles: temporary homes made out of leftover wood and metal Hobos: homeless wanderers who were looking for a better life Bread lines and soup kitchens became sources of cheap, free food for the hungry masses

In General… To “escape” the Depression, people: Went to the movies Women listened to soap operas on the radio Men listened to the news, comedies, and the Lone Ranger

Hoover Responds to the Depression “…industry is on a sound and prosperous basis.” President Hoover, October 1929 “…the worst effects of the crash have passed.” President Hoover, March 1930 Was Hoover a moron? Crazy? Both?

Hoover Responds to the Depression Hoover knew the economy was in trouble, but did not want people to worry He knew the government would have to help, but did not want the government to go into debt

Hoover Responds to the Depression Fix the banks: Hoover set up the Reconstruction Finance Corporation to lend money to banks and businesses Did not lend enough Economy still in decline

Hoover Responds to the Depression Help for Citizens: Hoover opposed money going DIRECTLY to people Hoover believed in “rugged individualism” People need to work hard and tough it out The patient, hard workers will be “better off” in the end

People Get Angry Hunger Marchers: In 1931, 500 people broke into and looted a grocery store in Oklahoma Crowds of hungry people began protesting across the country In December 1931, Hunger Marchers went to Washington DC to ask for help

People Get Angry Farmers Revolt: Farmers were losing equipment, homes, and land To drive up prices, farmers began destroying entire crops

People Get Angry The Bonus Army: For their service in WWI, in 1924, Congress voted to give veterans a $1,000 bonus in 1945 In 1932, a group of veterans decided to petition Congress for their money About 15,000 veterans marched to Washington DC

People Get Angry The Bonus Army and Hoover: Hoover refused to talk to Bonus Army The “army” set up Hoovervilles and refused to leave Hoover ordered the shacks destroyed and the “army” removed Two veterans and one baby killed

The End of Hoover Hoover really tried to help people out, but… People only saw Hoovervilles, breadlines, protests, and the “Bonus Army”

The Election of 1932 Republicans nominated Herbert Hoover Democrats nominated Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) FDR won!