1. The Real Impact of the Great Depression
Hard Times
The Real Impact of the Great Depression

2. The Great Depression: Big Picture
The Stock Market and resulting bank failures had a catastrophic effect on the American economy
1 out of four Americans had no work
No government sponsored welfare or relief
Many lost their savings to support themselves in hard times
Effects were worse in some areas than others
Toledo, Ohio had 80% unemployment
Meadville was not as bad off at this time
Many others had wages cut
Not all people suffered the same
Prosperity amid plenty

3. What do you think the photographer was trying to show in this photo?

4. What does the graph show?

5. Different Places: Different Problems
Rural America
Problems
Foreclosures-
Weak markets- slaughtering animals and dumping milk while people starved
Isolated from charitable sources of towns
The Dust Bowl … more later
Advantages
Had food
Banded together and supported neighbors- blocking foreclosure auctions

6. Different Places: Different Problems
Urban America
Problems
Large numbers of desperate people share suffering and scramble for survival- particularly in hard- hit regions
No food, hunting and farming not available
Advantages
Charitable resources available- settlement houses, churches etc
Cheap popular culture diversions- Movies, baseball (This would not be much help to the most desperate people

7. Family Strain
Many families could not survive the strain of the Depression
Thousands of young men “ride the rails” looking for work
Marriage and birth rates decline-diminished expectations
Pessimism
Guilt for men who could not support their family
Most learned how to adjust to new conditions, others committed suicide
Hoovervilles- Squatters camps

8. Popular Culture: Highlights of the Depression
Baseball very big- Night baseball begins
Segregated leagues Negro Leagues in most northeastern cities
Movies “Talkies”- A golden age for movies
Monopoly!... Let’s pretend we have money?
Radio
Radio theatre
News
Music