LIFE DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION Chapter 9 Section

LIFE DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION Chapter 9, Section 2

The Depression Worsens � In the Cities: � Shantytowns: Shacks erected by the homeless � Hoovervilles: Name given to shantytowns � Bread Lines: Where charities gave out free food � Bailiff: Court official who performed evictions

The Depression Worsens (cont. ) � Rural areas � 1929 -1932: 400, 000 foreclosures � Advantage: Already had been in a depression for 10 years

The Depression Worsens (cont. ) � Hobos: 2 million men who road the rails looking for work

The Depression Worsens (cont. ) � Dust Bowl � 1932: Severe drought struck the Great Plains � Caused by abuse of the land (over-farming) � See page 477 for map

Social & Psychological Effects � Suicide Rate: 1928 -1932 Rose 30% � Mental institution admissions tripled � Marriages were delayed � Delayed or did not have children

Social & Psychological Effects � No college � Driven to be financially secure (save everything) � Willingness to help those less fortunate

Escaping the Depression � Hollywood � Movies used as an escape � Walt Disney: 1937 first feature length cartoon

Escaping the Depression � Radio � � � Sports, comedy shows Presidential addresses Soap Operas: drama shows often sponsored by laundry soap companies

The Depression in Art � Grant Wood � � emphasized traditional American values “American Gothic”

The Depression in Art (cont. ) � John Steinbeck � � Author of “The Grapes of Wrath” Oklahoma family fleeing the dust bowl

The Depression in Art (cont. ) � William Faulkner � � New literary style Showed/wrote what characters were thinking & feeling before they spoke