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Published byAbigail Cook Modified over 9 years ago
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The Depression Begins…(late 1929 into 1930) Factories begin to lay off workers and/or cut wages. Small businesses begin to close Unemployment rises to 25% by 1932 By 1933, the GNP is half of what it was in 1929 Farm prices drop, 25% of farmers lost their land by 1933. By 1933, 5000 banks failed and closed.
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Everyone is affected in some way Even those who haven’t lost jobs or money can see others suffering The depression is worldwide, other countries have the same problems Remember – in the US in the 1930’s there was NO unemployment insurance, no welfare, no food stamps, no disability ins. The only “relief” (free food, clothing or small amounts of money) came from churches, private organizations, and a few cities.
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For those who still had jobs: Possible loss of savings Hours or wages may be cut – less income Fear of layoffs Do you help family and friends who are worse off than you? How can you cut back on expenses (plant a garden, reuse old clothes etc…)
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For those who have lost their jobs #1 priority – pay rent or mortgage – keep a place to live Feed your family Wives and children try to find work is Dad is laid off Constant job hunting and loss of self-worth Apply for “relief” if available Sell stuff to buy food or pay rent Older kids may leave home to ease the burden on their parents
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For those without homes Move in with relatives or friends if possible Live in your car or sleep outside (park benches etc…) Build a shack from scraps of lumber or other junk. In large cities, rows of shacks like this were made in abandoned lots or alleys. They were called HOOVERVILLES
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Finding food… For those with no income, feeding their families was not always possible Soup kitchens and breadlines where food was free were set up by churches and some communities. Working or begging for food Look through garbage cans for food Some cities would give away food – but it wasn’t enough to last for long
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Effects of the depression Some families were split up – kids taken to orphanages and abandoned Sickness, malnutrition, and even starvation occurred at a higher rate. Suicide rates rose Hoover flags – empty pockets Hoover blankets – old newspapers used like a blanket
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Was everyone affected equally? Not really – if you were already poor, or had no savings or relatives nearby – things could get tough quickly Farmers were hit hard and African- Americans had higher unemployment rates than whites. Married women were sometimes fired so the available jobs could be given to men
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