Social Effects of the Great Depression
for kids:
The Presidents during the Great Depression
The
economic decline was triggered by the Wall Street Crash on October
29, 1929. Republican
Herbert
Hoover served in office from March 4, 1929 to March 4, 1933
and was blamed for the economic bust and its disastrous social
effects on the American population.
Democrat Franklin Roosevelt assumed the presidency on March 4, 1933
and gained popularity with the American people by implementing
various welfare and relief programs in his 'New Deal' to
alleviate the Social Effects of era.
The 'hard times' ended with the
US entry into WW2 in 1941. President Roosevelt served in office
until April 12, 1945.
Social Effects of the Great Depression for kids - Part 1
The Social Effects of the
period
were many and varied. The fact file is designed to convey
information in a simple and direct format that describes the
movement from optimism and prosperity to despair and poverty with
examples of the social effects in specific situations and events.
There were so many Social Effects of the Great Depression that we
have split this article into two parts. This section details
the Social Effects of Unemployment, Debt, Suicides, Class
separation, Poor and Lower Class, Middle Class, Exclusion from
Socializing, Wage Cuts, Poverty, Racial Discrimination,
Discrimination against Women, Evictions, Overcrowding and
Homelessness. Discover the social effects of health issues and
personal problems.
Social Effects of the
Great Depression - Part 2
Social Effects of the Great Depression
Facts for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting facts and information on Social Effects of the
'hard times' for kids.
Facts
about the Social Effects of the Great Depression for
kids - Part
1
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact 1:
The Roaring
Twenties was a period of prosperity for many Americans
and witnessed new inventions and changing lifestyles.
Women had been given the right to vote, challenged
traditional ideas of a woman's role and experienced a
high level of independence. The era encompassed a
feeling of exuberance, optimism and invincibility.
disappeared almost overnight triggered by the 1929 Wall
Street Crash and economic collapse in the United States.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
2: Optimism to
Despair: The optimism disappeared almost overnight
when the Wall Street Crash, on October 29, 1929 (Black
Tuesday), triggered the Great Depression starting the
downward economic spiral that led to bankruptcies, mass
unemployment, homelessness and despair.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact 3:
Social Effects of Debt: Few Americans
were prepared for the economic crash. Carried away by the emergence
of new products, the rise of Consumerism in the 1920s and the easy
credit that was made available. Between 3-4 million Americans (about
10 percent of US households) had invested in the Stock Market,
'buying on margin' with loaned money. Many Americans were in debt.
Many lost their life savings. Those that became unemployed would
also lose their homes.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact 4:
Suicides: The reaction
to the crash was a series of suicides by men who could not handle
their failure, shame, loss of prestige and loss of status in their
community. Suicide rates, which averaged 12.1 per 100,000 people in
the early1920s jumped to an alarming 18.9 per 100,000 people in 1929
and remained high throughout the Great Depression. These
terrible deaths took there toll on the deceased family in terms of
grief, loss and in their quality of life. As the reality of the
prolonged Great Depression hit home there were more suicides.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
5:
Social Effects of
Class separation: Distinct
class separation between the poor, the middle class and the wealthy
had evolved in the cities. Class separation was based on the
neighborhoods where people lived and the type of houses they lived
in.
Separation by class and the stark contrasts between the neighborhoods fostered
additional resentment and increased discontent during this sad time
in American history.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact 6:
Poor and Lower
Class Americans: At the start of the Great
Depression there were already nearly 18 million poor,
elderly, disabled and single mothers living at a basic
subsistence level in America. Rapid, unplanned
Urbanization, fueled by the Industrialization of
America, led to the poor, lower class Americans living
in tall, narrow tenement buildings in dark, overcrowded,
squalid and unhealthy living conditions in
densely populated and highly congested neighborhoods.
Ethnic enclaves housed members of minority groups,
referred to as ghettos.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
7: Social Effects
on Middle Class
Americans: The families of Middle Class Americans
had enjoyed the prosperity, ostentation and conspicuous
consumption of the Roaring Twenties that fostered a
belief that they were better than others.
The wages of the middle class were more than double
those of the poor. Hard
times hit many Middle class families as debts
accumulated through 'Margin Loans' had to be repaid
immediately. Loans on 'easy credit', for various
consumer goods such as automobiles or refrigerators,
still had to be repaid. Numerous small banks collapsed
and people lost their life savings. Family homes
in comfortable 6-8 roomed houses
had to be sold to cover debts and
back taxes. Those that managed to keep their houses
could no longer afford electricity. And servants had to
be dismissed adding to the rising unemployment figures.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
8: Social Effects of Unemployment: The major
effect of the economic crisis was mass unemployment. 20,000
businesses went bankrupt and closed. Industrial production halved
and foreign exports plummeted. Over 12 million people became
unemployed (25% of the population). Americans who lost their jobs
could not repay their debts, feed themselves, pay their rent or
mortgage or support their family.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
9: Exclusion from
Socializing: Unemployment
created feelings of alienation within the community.
Poverty stricken families were unable to bear the cost
of socializing, were unable to fit in and many
experienced the shame of being snubbed by more affluent
people. The social life of the unemployed family was
therefore significantly reduced.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
10: Wage Cuts: Those that
kept their jobs were subjected to considerable wage cuts, cuts in
working hours and declining working conditions. There were so many
unemployed that unscrupulous employers were able to 'call all the
shots' which led to the depersonalization and the detriment of
workers who were terrified of losing their jobs. Labor Unions had
become ineffective following WW1 and during the 1920s.
Facts
about the Social Effects of the Great Depression for
kids - Part
1
Facts
about the Social Effects of the Great Depression for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with Facts about the Social Effects of the 'hard
times' in American history.
Facts
about the Social Effects of the Great Depression for
kids - Part
1
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
11:
Social Effects of Poverty: Poverty levels increased in America.
Those living in poverty are defined as those denied an
income sufficient to meet their basic needs. 'Basic
Needs' are defined as food, water, clothing and shelter.
People living in poverty suffered from the effects of
unemployment such as homelessness, inadequate housing,
hunger, family breakdowns - exclusion from their
community and poor health which all lead to the negative
social effects of the era. For additional
facts and info refer to
Great
Depression Poverty
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
12: Relief and
Welfare: There was no government financed "safety
net" of welfare or relief programs at the beginning of
the period. State governments were unable
to respond to the situation and many charities could
no longer provide even minimum assistance for all those in need.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
13: Social Effects
of Racial
Discrimination: Racial discrimination increased
during the era towards African Americans
and immigrants. African Americans
and immigrants were the first to be laid off. In 1932, the district of Harlem in New
York had an unemployment rate of 50%, double that of
white Americans. Intensified racial discrimination
created resentment and distrust and increasing feelings
of inequality as people were treated as undervalued
members of society.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
14: Discrimination
against Women: Women workers also faced heavy
discrimination and social criticism during the
era as women were denied jobs in favor of men.
Many women were compelled to look for job during the
hard times to ensure the survival of their family. Women
were often fired if the employer found out that she was
married. Traditional labor unions almost entirely
excluded women during the early 1930s.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
15: Evictions:
Families were evicted from their homes. In 1932 alone,
273,000 families were evicted from their homes. Some
moved in with other family members, others had to face
the immediate problems of homelessness bringing fear,
uncertainty, insecurity, destitution and the loss of
home comforts.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
16: Social Effects
of Overcrowding:
The social effects of evictions led to severe
overcrowding, especially in towns and cities. Cramped
living conditions, harmed family relationships, led to
arguments, abuse, discontent and health issues. The
effects of overcrowding caused depression, stress, loss
of self-esteem and anxiety.
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact
17: Social Effects
of Homelessness:
Homelessness resulted in people living in squalid living
condition with inadequate sanitation and lack of clean
drinking water. The poverty-stricken homeless also went
hungry and insufficient food and poor nutrition lead to
a variety of diseases and illnesses. Homelessness
resulted in numerous health issues and severe problems
of a personal nature.
Health Issues - Personal Problems
Influenza - Loss of self esteem
Pneumonia - Stress, Anxiety and
Despair
Tuberculosis - Loss of ability and will
to care for oneself and family
Diphtheria - Suicidal Tendencies
Rickets - Increased danger of
violence, abuse and turning to crime
Skin diseases - Lack of confidence and
lack of control
Diarrhea - Isolation and loneliness
Sleep deprivation - Lack of informal support
networks
Social Effects of the Great Depression Fact 18:
Medical
Facilities: Homeless people were without
access to medical or health facilities and due to poor
nutrition were unable to easily fight
off illness and disease. At least 33% of deaths were due
to poverty related causes such as homelessness.
Facts
about the Social Effects of the Great Depression for
kids - Part
1
Facts about
the Social Effects of the
Great Depression - Part 1
For visitors interested in the history of
this period in American history refer to the following articles:
Social Effects of the Great Depression - President Herbert Hoover Video
The article on the Social Effects of the Great Depression provides detailed facts and a summary of one of the important events during his presidential term in office. The following
Herbert Hoover video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 31st American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1929 to March 4, 1933.
Social Effects of the Great Depression
●
Interesting Facts on the Social Effects of the era for kids and schools
●
Summary of the Social Effects of the Great Depression in US history
●
Social Effects of the Great Depression, a major
event in US history
●
Herbert Hoover from March 4, 1929 to March 4, 1933
●
Fast, fun facts about the Social Effects of the Great Depression
●
Foreign & Domestic
policies of President Herbert Hoover
● Herbert Hoover Presidency and
Social Effects of the Great Depression for schools,
homework, kids and children |
