The Great Depression & American Farmers

Summary

In the 1920s, the United States was thriving, but the stock market crash of 1929 and the subsequent Great Depression led to widespread poverty. Twelve million Americans lost their jobs, and many farmers, like the Joad family in John Steinbeck’s *The Grapes of Wrath*, were forced to leave Oklahoma and migrate to California. Despite hopes of finding work, they faced continued hardships due to overcrowded job markets, corporate control of agriculture, and harsh living conditions. Steinbeck’s novel exposed these struggles, leading to both criticism and support, notably from First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The New Deal brought some relief, though the Depression persisted.

Takeaways

• 😀 The 1920s were a prosperous time for the United States, making it one of the wealthiest and most powerful countries in the world.
• 😀 The Stock Market Crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed caused widespread job losses and economic hardship for millions of Americans.
• 😀 At the time, there were no welfare programs, unemployment insurance, or Social Security to help the unemployed.
• 😀 Soup kitchens and bread lines became essential sources of support for many struggling people during the Depression.
• 😀 American farmers, especially in the Great Plains, faced severe hardships, with many being forced to leave their homes due to drought and economic collapse.
• 😀 John Steinbeck's novel 'The Grapes of Wrath' tells the story of the Joad family, who were driven from Oklahoma by the Depression and sought work in California.
• 😀 The migration to California was common, as many farmers believed they could find work in the state's vast orchards.
• 😀 However, California’s agricultural industry was dominated by large corporate growers, and there were more workers than available jobs.
• 😀 Migrant workers, including the Joad family, faced hostile conditions, including barbed wire fences and the rejection of surplus produce to keep prices high.
• 😀 Despite criticism from wealthy landowners and government officials, Steinbeck's book gained support from influential figures like First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, bringing attention to the plight of migrant workers.
• 😀 President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal provided some relief through social security, financial aid for farmers, and public works projects, though it did not end the Depression immediately.

Q & A

What major event ended the prosperity of the United States in the 1920s?

The stock market crash of 1929 and the Great Depression that followed ended the prosperity of the United States in the 1920s.

How many Americans lost their jobs during the Great Depression?

Twelve million Americans lost their jobs during the Great Depression.

What were some of the immediate consequences of the Great Depression for American workers?

There was no welfare, unemployment insurance, or Social Security, and people relied on soup kitchens and bread lines for relief.

How did the Great Depression affect American farmers differently from urban workers?

While urban workers faced hardship, farmers, particularly in the Great Plains, faced severe hardships, including drought, and were forced to leave their homes to find work.

What is the focus of John Steinbeck's novel 'The Grapes of Wrath'?

The novel focuses on the struggles of the Joad family, Oklahoma farmers who were forced to migrate due to a drought, and their experiences during the Great Depression.

Why did many farming families migrate to California during the Great Depression?

Many farming families believed they could find work picking fruit in California's orchards, hoping for a better life.

What challenges did migrant workers face in California after arriving?

Migrant workers found a competitive job market with many people looking for work, large corporate farms controlled the labor force, and jobs were scarce.

How did large farm owners in California react to the influx of migrant workers?

Large farm owners feared the migrant workers could be organized into a fighting force, which led to the creation of barbed wire fences to restrict their movement.

What impact did John Steinbeck's 'The Grapes of Wrath' have on public perception?

The novel exposed the harsh living and working conditions of migrant farmers, making Steinbeck many enemies, but it also gained powerful support from figures like Eleanor Roosevelt.

What were some key components of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal?

The New Deal involved the creation of a social security system, financial aid for farmers, and civil projects that helped people find work, although it did not immediately end the Great Depression.