Surviving the great depression

Distrust Survivors would never forget Pinch pennies Never buy on credit Hid money under the mattresses

Americans Pull Together People worked together to survive Distrust business & government Trust each other Farmers Penny Auctions – farmers would bid pennies on land and machines auctioned by the banks in order to help their struggling neighbors Some states outlawed forclosures

Young People Ride the Rails Left for better life Living illegally out of freight trains Fastest way to run away Vulnerable Arrest Injury Shot by angry farmers

Political Solutions Americans did not become violent Increased support for Communists and Socialists Saw individuals working together Held hope for democratic process

Review How did Americans rely on each other during the Great Depression? What was life like when “Riding the Rails”? What were political solutions that were sought out during the Great Depression?

Depression Humor Jokes helped “Hooverville” started as jokes Empty pockets – “Hoover flags” “When Wall Street took that tail spin, you had to stand in line to get a window to jump out of” Will Rogers

Signs of Change WWII Prohibition repealed February 1933 (15 years after amendment passed) 21st Amendment 8 states continued ban on liquor Failed social experiment End gangsters’ control

The Empire State Building Construction began 1930 John J. Raskob – race to build world’s tallest building Cost $41 million Cheap 2,500 to 4,000 jobs a day 102 stories, 1,250 feet tall, topped with mooring mast for blimps Officially opened May 1, 1931

End of an Era Symbols of 1920s falling 1931 Al Capone convicted Frugal former President Calvin Coolidge died January 1933 Babe Ruth retired 1935 Henry Ford now despised

Closure How did Americans distrust banks and the economy after the Depression? Where did Americans turn after political solutions and big business were unable to help them? How was the Empire State Building a sign of hope during this era of depression?