Down and Out Franklin D. Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, served as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 to 1945. His presidency stretched over the Great Depression and World War II, during which he implemented various relief programs and reforms to address the economic crisis and provide assistance to those in need. He was seen as a charismatic leader who inspired hope and confidence during a time of extreme hardship. Often people leaned on him and his wife to answer their prayers through letters, hopeful that their president would bring them peace. To begin during the Great Depression, Americans faced significant material, emotional, and psychological challenges. The consequences that reaped through the entire country included …show more content…
The working class, including industrial workers and farmers, experienced unemployment and poverty firsthand. They struggled to find jobs and were laid off leaving them to eventually lose their homes. Middle-class individuals often faced unemployment as well. This led to a decline in their financial stability and an overall decrease in their standard of living. However, some middle-class families managed to maintain a certain level of comfort. Even the wealthy, experienced hardships during the Depression, although not as firsthand as others. Unfortunately, racial minorities, particularly African Americans and Mexican Americans, were greatly affected. Discrimination raged on throughout society during this period of time. Most of the time they were the ones being laid off first and were often denied employment opportunities. Mexican Americans, of whom worked as agricultural laborers, experienced discrimination and were often exploited for cheap labor. Moreover, both African Americans and Mexican Americans faced limited access to relief programs and social services due to the inequality that was taking place. Gender also played a significant role in shaping individuals' experiences during the Depression. Men were typically considered the money-makers of the family and faced immense pressure due to unemployment. The loss of employment not only affected their financial well-being but also had a profound psychological impact on their sense of self-worth as they could no longer perform their “designated” role in society. Women, on the other hand, faced different challenges as they struggled to provide for their families when their husbands or fathers were unemployed. Many women had to enter the workforce in order to keep basic necessities. However, they often faced discrimination and were paid lower wages compared to men. Structural