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

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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

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

8. 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!”

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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?

13. 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

14. 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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

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

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