Most people resorted to building residences out of box wood, cardboard, and any scraps of metal they could find. Some individuals even lived in sewer mains.

Hoover Takes Action Although Hoover did introduce some federal programs to help lessen the impact of the Great Depression (too little, too late), he did not want to interfere in the American economy or give direct aide to people. Instead, he asked private charities such as the YMCA or churches to help.

Churches, YMCAs, and other charities established soup kitchens to feed the hungry Soup kitchens served soup, coffee, bread Soup kitchens continued throughout the Great Depression and are still in existence today “Soup kitchens in America started around 1929 when the effects of a growing depression began to be felt. The need for soup kitchens was felt even more keenly when the tailspin in the economy worsened in 1932, and 12 million Americans — about 25 percent of the normal labor force — were out of work. Governmental unemployment relief ranged from nonexistent to inadequate When soup kitchens first appeared, they were run by churches or private charities. Soup kitchens served mostly soup and bread. Soup was economical because water could be added to serve more people, if necessary.” depressionunemployment relief

All Graphs from:

1. What does this chart tell you about stock prices before and after the stock market crashed?

2. What does this chart tell you about workers?

3. What does this chart tell you about the number of banks (and businesses) that failed?

4. What does this chart tell you about people’s lives up until 1940?

5. What does this chart tell you about families?