The Great Depression and New Deal (1928-1941)
PEOPLE
In 1924, the Bonus Army passed the Adjusted Compensation Act, which guaranteed a sum of payments to the veterans in 1945. In 1931, the veterans wanted their payment early, so in protest, veterans set up tents outside of government buildings. President Hoover called in General Douglas MacArthur to take care of the veterans outside the building. Douglas MacArthur and the Army used tear gas and bayonets to drive the veterans out. In the end, more than a thousand veterans were injured from the event.
In July of 1932, Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president and he was married to his distant cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt became the First Lady and she changed the form from a ceremonial role to a role of action and involvement in political events. Throughout FDR's presidency, Eleanor gave him advice on his political speeches. Since women were disappointed in not having many opportunities in the economy, Eleanor Roosevelt wrote in her column, My Day, in the newspaper that Americans should try to reach the goal of equal justice for all.
EVENTS
Black Tuesday, which happened on October 29, initially caused the Great Depression. Around 16 million shares were sold as the stock market collapsed in the Great Crash. As a result, billions of money was lost. As people realized the money was gone, Americans rushed to the banks to withdraw all of their savings. Once money was out of circulation, businesses and stores went broke.
The Dust Bowl occurred throughout the Great Depression in Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, New Mexico, and Colorado. Due to the land being so dry, he slightest wind could pick up the top soil and throw it in the air. People caught in the dust storms could get lost, choke on the sand, or die. The sand and dirt in the air could be brought all the way to Boston, New York, and Washington and dropped there. Due to the dropping of farm goods prices and the infertile soil, many farmers left their farms in search of new opportunities with greater chances of success, these people were referred to as Okies.
SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
Radios were the number one source of technology during the depression. FDR's fireside chats or informal radio broadcasts where he explained public issues and New Deal programs to American citizens. Through radios, FDR convinced people that taking their money out of the bank was a risky decision and that the bank was a safe place to keep it. Radios also announced important events that were occurring like The Great Crash, new groups, and sports updates.
In 1930, Hoover Dam was built on the Colorado River, which brought employment to a select few. The Hoover Dam provided power to more than a million people each year. The Dam also irrigated the dry, course farmland throughout the western states to try and get the soil to its more fertile state. The Hoover Dam also provided electricity to homes in the early 1930's. Irons, washing machines, and refrigerators all became accessible from electricity.
ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT
Films and movies were a major way for people to escape the drama of the Great Depression. The Wizard of Oz was the most memorable film during the depression era because it showed that dreams could come true. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Top Hat, and Gone with the Wind were amoungst the other favorites during the era due to their happy themes. Movie theaters composed musicals, romantic comedies, and gangster films.
Literature was another way that Americans could avoid the pressure of life. Novels, books, plays, and comic strips were always available for the public. The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck was mostly depressing along with The Children's Hour, The Little Foxes, and Watch on the Rine by Lillian Hellman. Among the comic strips, Superman was a favorite because it showed Americans that they could overcome all evil, even evil committed unintentionally, just like the Depression.
LIFESTYLE/LEISURE/SPORTS
Farmers had life rough ever since the 20's because the growth of cities lead to the downfall of farming. The prices of farmers' crops dropped each year, and by the time the Depression hit, their products were almost worth nothing. The Dust Bowl didn't help their state because without any good soil, crops wouldn't be able to grow anyways. As the soil got worse and the prices fell further, many farmers left their homes in search of new opportunities in cities. Since farmers didn't have any experience when it came to cities, they didn't understand certain ways of city life.
As goods, such as food, were hard to find during the Great Depression, public soup kitchens offered food to parents and children of non-wealthy families. Breadlines- where people lined up for handouts of food from charities or public agencies- were always available to the less fortunate. Some wealthier families gave to charities as well. If children in families became too sick, some parents would send their children to distant relatives if they were in a better condition than them.
POLITICS
During the Great Depression, FDR pledged a New Deal- programs and legislation enacted to promote economic recovery and social reform. Roosevelt believed that the depression should be handled with strong action and federal government leadership. Due to FDR's proposal of the New Deal, he won the 1932 election against Herbert Hoover.
During FDR's presidency, he invited many African American leaders to advise him. Eleanor Roosevelt continuously tried to fight the discrimination throughout daily American life. The unofficial advisers became known as the Black Cabinet including Robert Weaver, William Hastie, and Mary McLeod Bethune. Mary McLeod Bethune became the founder of the Bethune Cookman College and she was also a powerful champion for equality for all races.
ECONOMY
Once Black Tuesday hit and billions of dollars were lost, people rushed to their banks to make withdraws. As money left the banks, they couldn't withstand or 'run' any more. in 1929 641 banks collapsed and a year later, 1,350 and by 1931, 1,700 collapsed. Since people took their money out of the banks, there wasn't enough in circulation after the stock market crash.
FDR believed that since wealthier families hardly felt the impact from the crash, that no class was going to feel left out. Taking action, FDR created the welfare state, a government that assumes responsibility for providing for the welfare of children and the poor, elderly, sick, disabled, and unemployed. Creating the welfare state helped FDR gain trust from the American people and showing that the government will take action to help American citizens.