1930's America by Shauna

The Great Depression

Shauna7 — 2014-09-16 15:27:17 UTC

In 1930, America went through a decade known as the Great Depression. It started with the Wall Street Crash (29th October 1929) which set of a chain reaction of unemployment, severe economic loss and social disaster. 15 million people were left without jobs. One day's paid work was better than nothing. Farmers left unaffordable crops in fields to die whilst in other areas people starved. Both the Empire State Building and the Golden Gate Bridge were built in the Great Depression to provide jobs.

The American Dream

Shauna7 — 2014-09-16 15:46:52 UTC

The National ethos of the United States which motivated Americans during the Great Depression was originally written by James Truslow Adams in his book: The Epic of America. An extract of it which summarises it's intent is, "their dream of a land in which life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone." In 1930s America, ranch workers and others dreamt of a life where a lifestyle and environment could be constantly improved only by hard work from each individual. The American culture is still shaped by this dream, even today.

James Truslow Adams

The Dustbowl

Shauna7 — 2014-09-16 16:13:18 UTC

Between 1931 and 1939, the aftermath of severe weather and bad farming ruined soil and caused widespread dust storms in the central plains of North America. Bad agriculture uprooted native grass which retained moisture for soil, leaving the soil dry and dusty and unable to produce crops. The Dustbowl mainly affected Colorado, Kansas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Texas. The farming industry was decimated and 2.5 million were left to migrate to places like California to look for work. People built shanty towns otherwise known as Hoovervilles.

Hooverville

Shauna7 — 2014-09-16 16:28:39 UTC

The term Hooverville was coined by Charles Michelson, Publicity Chief of the Democratic National Committee. It was used to describe the shanty towns in which migrant workers temporarily lived. The president and Leader of the Republican at the time, President Herbert Hoover, was largely blamed for the economic crisis therefore the derogatory term was adopted by a political opponent.

John Steinbeck

Shauna7 — 2014-09-16 16:43:36 UTC

Of Mice and Men

The Epic of America

Shauna7 — 2014-09-17 10:00:45 UTC

Migrant Workers

Shauna7 — 2014-09-17 10:05:21 UTC

Empire State Building Under Construction

Shauna7 — 2014-09-17 10:06:40 UTC

Aftermath of the Dustbowl.

Shauna7 — 2014-09-17 10:08:49 UTC

The Dustbowl

Shauna7 — 2014-09-17 10:09:37 UTC