The Great Depression Widens

From Great Depression 22-2 Reading

1. How did the Great Depression affect minorities?     
          The Great Depression was particularly hard for the minorities. The minority's unemployment rates were higher, and they received the lowest pay. Minorities also faced racial hate due to the competition against whites to get jobs. Twenty-four African Americans were killed by hanging in 1933. In the southwest whites were urging the government to deport people of Mexican descent.  


2. Why did so many men leave their homes during the Depression?    
                  Many men left their homes during the Depression because they were discouraged due to their inability to get a job, and ashamed because they could no longer support their family. These men could no longer support their family, a duty that they were use to. After years of trying to get a job, these men became discouraged and simply gave up, and left their homes out of shame.


3. How did the Great Depression affect women and children?    
           The Great Depression was trial for both woman and children. The woman, who didn't work, struggled to conserve money for their families. They sewed cloths and canned food. The woman who did work were generally paid less than men. Also, the working woman was seen in increasing resentment as the Depression  wore on because, people believed that woman shouldn't have a job when there were so many unemployed men. Often parents didn't have enough money to give their children proper diets and healthcare. Due to this there was a rise in diet-related diseases. Also, due to tax cuts, many schools shut down and others shortened their school year. Many children left their homes on freight trains, looking for a better life. 
 

From Great Depression 22-3 Reading

4. What were some of Hoover’s key convictions about government?     
           Hoover believed that the government should not, play a big role in rebuilding the United States' economy. Hoover believed that the government should, make peace between competing businesses and the interests of society, and that families should support themselves through their own efforts.


5. Why do you think people blamed Hoover for the nation’s difficulties?    
            People blamed Hoover for the nation's difficulties because Hoover's policies were not improving the nation's economy. A year after the Great Depression started the economy had not improved. Also, families were angry, and they were ready to blame anyone. Hoover,refusing to provide direct support, was the perfect target for all of the anger and blame the american people.


6. What were some of the projects proposed by Hoover, and how effective were they?    
              Hoover proposed the Boulder Dam project, the Reconstruction Finance Corporation, and the National Credit Corporation. The Boulder Dam project was the perhaps the greatest success of Hoover. The dam provide electricity, flood control, and a regular water supply. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation would give money to failing businesses; by doing so Hoover hoped that the money would cause higher wages and job growth. However, businesses continued to fail even after $805 million had been given to small businesses. The Reconstruction Finance Corporation was a failure. The National Credit Corporation would loan money to smaller banks. This corporation was a success; it helped small banks avoid bankrupcy.


7. What did the Bonus Army want?    
                The Bonus Army wanted The Patman Bill to be authorized. The Patman Bill would give World War I    veterans $500 of a promised bonus immediately, instead of giving the soldiers their bonus in 1945.