Great Depression Dbq

Between 1929 and 1932 the American economy went downhill (Henretta, 2009. This time was the worst depression to date in the country (Bethel University, 2005). It was better known as the Great Depression. In the aftermath of World War 1 emerged this global crisis. Herbert Hoover was the president at this time and many felt he didn’t handle the situation like he should have (Henretta, 2009). Many families were hit hard by this crisis but the middle class did not disappear and the rich still lived in luxury (Henretta, 2009).
Many factors caused and led up to the Great Depression but the United States faithfulness to the gold standard played a big part in the length and severity of the Great Depression (Henretta, 2009). World War 1 shattered Europe

Unemployment rose to 25 percent and by 1933 fifteen million people were out of work (Henretta, 2009). 9,000 banks closed their doors, and 100,000 businesses failed (Henretta, 2009). When the banks failed it had an even more severe shock. Back then the government did not insure bank deposits so savings in failed banks simply vanished (Henretta, 2009). People that were less fortunate than others did what they could to survive. Barbers traded haircuts for vegetables while laborers put in a day’s work for things like eggs, peaches, and pork (Henretta, 2009). During these times people looked to private charities, soup kitchens, bread lines and the help from neighbors but these resources could not permanently lift millions from the Great Depression (Henretta, 2009). American had to adapt to the depression conditions by changing plans and things going on in their lives (Henretta, 2009). Marriage was delayed and couples reduced the number of children the planned to have (Henretta, 2009). Life itself changed for many

The women endured additional burdens like campaigns against hiring women because they thought jobs should go to male breadwinners and then three quarters of the school districts in the country banned married women from being hired as teachers (Henretta, 2009). The women in Minnesota in breadlines were subject to sit in employment bureaus and hoped for work to try to provide for their family (Bethel University, 2005). The women here are those who are middle-aged, some have families, while some have raised the children and now they are alone (Bethel University, 2005). The others are those who have men that are out of work (Bethel University, 2005). These women are left to struggle to fed many mouths by themselves, while the women who pride gets the best of them starves silently, leaving the children to find work (Bethel University, 2005). It is easy for an attractive young women to get a job in stores or waiting on tables (Bethel University, 2005). The others with not so good looks have a more difficult time finding work (Bethel University, 2005). Some women do extra things for men to earn money to feed themselves or their families (Bethel University, 2005). Sometimes girls that have nowhere to go approach men for lodging and if lucky they are giving breakfast in the morning (Bethel University, 2005). All these women may work as hard as it takes, day and night for their whole lives