The Plight of Ordinary People during the Great Depression

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The Great Depression touched people at every race and income level. It seemed no one was exempt from the emotional and economic toll of the downturn. Lives were turned upside down, and many did not know how to cope. With the financial collapse, kids lost their college funds, and families lost their homes. Families had to resort to making shelter any way they could. Communities were erected in almost every state that consisted of shelters made of crates and metal sheets; these communities were known as “Hoovervilles” (Leuchtenburg, pg. 251). Others would seek refuge in caves, subways, and under bridges (Leuchtenburg, pg. 252). The life savings of many were lost before anyone could comprehend what was happening.

Many businesses also felt the impact of the depression, as funding dried up businesses closed their doors (Kennedy, pg. 163). Iron and Steel production slowed to levels never before seen (Kennedy, pg. 163). Industries like construction and automobile were hit hard, as well as the companies that supplied them (Kennedy, pg. 163). Farmers in rural America were displaced by drought and falling crop prices. Things were so difficult that the only alternative was to pack up their belongings and move to other states in search for work (FDR and the Depression video).

Men and women suffered from unemployment and reduced wages (Kennedy, pg. 163). The average demographic of the person on relief were white males in their thirties usually unskilled and uneducated (Kennedy, pg. 166). Job loss for many lasted for two years or more, which resulted in emotional stress and a loss of self-respect (Kennedy, pg. 166). They felt their wives and children did not revere them as they once did as they loss their place as provider an...

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... to colored people and does not hate them. You know as well as I do that a lot of the white people hate the colored people, so I couldn't ask just anybody like a white girl could…”

("Letters: Requests for Money ").

The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 was the New Deal for the Indian nation. The new policy was intended to ease the injustices that the Indians suffered at the hands of government. It was intended to stop the practice of forcing Indians to assimilate into western society (erasing their Indian identity and culture), as well as forcing them to live on reservations that were too small to sustain them (Kennedy, pg. 379).

Human suffering penetrated every part of society and affected the lives of millions either directly or indirectly. The depression grew deeper and lasted longer than anyone could have predicted.

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