The Great DepressionBy: Jacquelyne Graham

This is Herbert Hoover, the President who was blamed by the American people for one of the most disastrous periods in the American economy, The Great Depression.

Many families were reduced to living in shacks and tents. These places were very dirty and uncomfortable.

During the Great Depression, Hoovervilles, areas stricken with poverty that many people were forced to live in, could be found all over the country.

The Great Depression was a time of shame and humility for many citizens. Some were reduced to holding signs on the sidewalks for everyone to see, advertising their skills for a good job, such as these two men on the left.

Below, many people are trying to read the newspaper after the announcement of the Wall Street crash.

Above, a stack of newspapers on the day of the Wall Street crash.

After the Wall Street crash in 1929, many people were depressed. Several of the people who had investments in Wall Street had no idea what to do because all of their money was gone.

Many people had to find “stands” that gave away free food. The men in the picture below are waiting for their single serving of soup.

Another way to get food was to go to one of the few places that gave away free servings of bread. Above, men try to get bread, not only for themselves, but also for the rest of their families.

Men and women that were unemployed were able to go to former restaurants and receive food and beverages for free.

The time period in American history cause much stress and overwhelming sadness. People were very depressed and pessimistic, and the suicide rates increased dramatically.

Families of all kind were forced to live in awful conditions. In the picture on the left, the entire family lived in that extremely small shack. On the right, a father and his children, who had to stand instead if sit comfortably, ate the little food that they were lucky to have.

The school houses during the Great Depression were very small, and for the most part, empty due to the fact that kids were having to find work as well to help support their family.

Below, an unemployed, homeless woman and her child sit with their stuff, hoping the economy will turn around.

To the right, a business that was turned into a homeless shelter. There were many places like this in cities all over the U.S.