CHAPTER 14THE GREAT

DEPRESSION

Hardship and Suffering

Depression = Devastation Many people became homeless

Soup kitchens and Bread lines fed the starving citizens

Hoover Hotel

Bankrupt Family

Bread Line

The Dust Bowl Great Plains = over-farming

No trees or grass – open soil

Drought + Wind = Dust Storms

All top soil was scattered, land became useless

Effects on the American Families Made Do Stayed Home

Families fell apart – men left

Women saved and worked as best they could – men became resentful

No federal assistance programs existed

Women often died of starvation – didn’t want to beg

Effects on the American Families Children: lack of food – malnutrition

No School – worked in sweatshops

11-17 year-olds crossed the country

Many children died, or were killed

Psychological Effects Suicide Rates increased by 30%

More people admitted to mental hospitals

People quit going to doctors and dentists focused on saving money