Study Notes – USA National Study Complete

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USA National Study Complete Study Notes

effects of the Depression on different groups in society:
workers, women, farmers, African-Americans

The Great depression and its impact:
➢ Obligated government both federal and state level to intervene in the economy
➢ Existence of capitalism was under threat
➢ Free market forces were incapable of getting people back to work

Effects of Great Depression in society

Workers

– 13,000,000 men lost their jobs
– Middle aged men between 35-55
– Collapse in male morale and sense of worth → led to 20,000 men committing suicide
– Unemployed workers created ‘Shanty Towns’ later called hoovervilles
→ Hoovervilles were named after president herbert hoover who was blamed for the GD at the time
→ towns built where the unemployed and poor lived
➔ Unemployment
◆ Rose from 3.2% in 1929 to 24.9% in 1933 and 26.7% in 1934 [between 12-15 million workers unemployed]
◆ Malnutrition and starvation became reality
➔ Collapse in consumer spending
◆ 1932 US manufacturing had suffered a decline of about 77%
◆ Consumption and investment declined
◆ Soup kitchens became popular in towns and cities