The Great Depression
Introduction by: Kristi T. and Kevin S.
The 1920s in America seemed like an age of endless prosperity. Construction boomed, business flourished, and the stock market soared. American hopes were high until the stock market crash of October 29, 1929. The crash sent shockwaves throughout the economy. After banks failed and businesses closed, millions of people found themselves out of work. The Great Depression had begun.
All levels of American society were affected by the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Great Depression had devastating effects that were felt around the world. Many Americans experienced poverty for the first time. Cities dependent upon heavy industry were hit hard because construction was halted in many countries. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell and with poor demand, cash croppers, miners and loggers suffered the most. Unemployment in the United Stated rose to 25%. Obtaining health care was directly related to income and with up to 25% of the population unemployed, health care was relatively unattainable for the poor.
The 1920s in America seemed like an age of endless prosperity. Construction boomed, business flourished, and the stock market soared. American hopes were high until the stock market crash of October 29, 1929. The crash sent shockwaves throughout the economy. After banks failed and businesses closed, millions of people found themselves out of work. The Great Depression had begun.
All levels of American society were affected by the Great Depression of the 1930s. The Great Depression had devastating effects that were felt around the world. Many Americans experienced poverty for the first time. Cities dependent upon heavy industry were hit hard because construction was halted in many countries. Farming and rural areas suffered as crop prices fell and with poor demand, cash croppers, miners and loggers suffered the most. Unemployment in the United Stated rose to 25%. Obtaining health care was directly related to income and with up to 25% of the population unemployed, health care was relatively unattainable for the poor.
In the 1930s the rate of suicide rose significantly. Charities were so overwhelmed that they could no longer provide even minimum assistance for all those in need. The new deal provided some relief but did not end the depression. President Franklin D. Roosevelt backed the idea of federal aid for poor children and other dependent Americans. In 1935 the national welfare system was established. FDR’s attempt at health care reform in 1933 was met with strong opposition from AMA. Although this was a time of great sorrow, inventions of baby food, nylon, and reflectors were just a few highlights of the 1930’s.
Some countries started to recover by the mid-1930s, but in many countries the negative effects of the Great Depression lasted until the start of World War II.
References:
Jones, Jacqueline, Peter H. Wood, Thomas Borstelmann, Elaine Tyler May, and Vicki L.Ruiz. Created Equal: A Social and Political History of the United States. Brief 2nd ed. Vol. 2. New York: Pearson Education Inc., 2008.
Great Depression Picture: A Mother of Seven Children by Dorthea Lange http://history1900s.about.com/library/photos/blygd45.htm
