During the Great Depression in the 1930s, many Americans were left homeless and unemployed. People lived with nothing more than what they could carry, often making shelters from scrap materials. With no jobs available, families struggled to survive on government charity like dried beans and potatoes. The Dust Bowl devastated farms in the South, destroying the livelihoods of many farmers. By 1937, President Franklin D. Roosevelt had implemented a New Deal program to help rebuild the economy and return hope to the American people.

1. Life in the South During the Great
Depression
(Poor Perspective)
The year 1929 in America brought with it one of the country’s most testing economical
challenges it has ever witnessed. After a major stock market crisis and an agricultural
meltdown in the south, Americans were faced with the difficult task of surviving the
Great Depression. With no employment opportunities, money was scarce and many
Americans struggled to get back on their feet.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

2. By the dawn of the 1930’s, the Great Depression had forced many onto the
streets. Across arid plains and dust-ridden fields, Americans gathered their
lives and set off on a search for a place they may call “home.” Many could not
afford the tax of living and made homes with nothing more than the burdens
they carried along the way.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

3. For some, home is merely the vehicle they arrived on. They scavenge for
what little cloth and supplies they can find to make their shelter
somewhat more bearable.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

4. To keep up with the growing expense of survival, all who are able search
for jobs, always turning up empty handed. They trudge forward seeking
employment in spite of the obvious fact they will not find it.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

5. The unemployed gathered in to human streams to feast on the meager
charity of the government. For many, life had become powdered
milk, dried beans, and potatoes.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

6. Most parents were left without jobs, causing stress on the entire family.
Despite the obstacles that lay in their path, many still had a glimmer of
hope in their eyes as they scanned the horizon for an end to their
troubles.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

7. Those who were forced out of their homes attempted to sell anything
that would no longer be of use to them. With money sparse, many could
not afford the prices and cherished belongings were soon abandoned.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

8. In the south, the Dust Bowl eradicates the farmland of all vegetation.
Farmers tend to fruitless fields out of habit, hoping the sand covered land
will soon be fertile again.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

9. Desperate farmers who had not yet been run off their farm by financial
strain were soon cleared out by the horrific dust storms. Farmers who
were once relied on by Americans found themselves disoriented
alongside other victims of the Great Depression.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

10. Social status loses meaning as everyone is soon demeaned to the same
painful standard of living. Americans cry out for help, yet to be answered.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

11. In 1937, America gladly welcomes a president who has prepared a new
deal to put the country back on its feet: Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
Americans would no longer have to fear the challenges of the next day.
The only thing they would have to fear is fear itself.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

12. Under the guidance of Franklin D. Roosevelt, America is finally brought
back to its feet. After a long, strenuous trek across unforgiving sands,
patience is finally rewarded. As time tries to clear the ground of
footprints left on the wrong trail, we can only hope that we do not walk
the same path.
Sebastian Waz, Period 6

13. Works Cited
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<http://www.thenewgreenblog.com>.
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<http://encarta.msn.com>.
Hulton. quot;FDR and the Fire-Side Chats.quot; Welcome to the Library. 31 June 2009
<http://libwww.cabrillo.edu>.
King, Tim. Salem-News.Com. 31 May 2009
<http://www.salem-news.com>.
Madrid, Patrick. quot;Pumped Up For the Next Great Depression.quot; Patrick Madrid. 31 May 2009.
<http://www.patrickmadrid.blogspot.com>
Mahtani, Shibani. quot;Measured Musings: Finding a Way Out of Depression.quot; The Beaver. 01 June 2009
<http://www.thebeaveronline.co.uk>.
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<http://www.mamadizon.blogspot.com>.
quot;Migrant Mother.quot; Picture America. 31 May 2009.
<http://www.picture-america.com>
Nelson, Tariq. quot;Great Depression II?quot; Tariq Nelson. 01 June 2009
<http://www.tariqnelson.com>.
Pobept. quot;Cheapskate or Survival Skills?quot; Pobept's World. 31 May 2009
<http://www.pobeptsworld.wordpress.com>.
Smith, Waitsel. quot;Hooverville.quot; Waitsel's Real Stories about What Matters Most. 31 May 2009
<http://www.realstories.info>.
Wagner, James. quot;The Great Depression.quot; The Great Depression. 31 May 2009.
<http://www.jameswagner.com>