The Great Depression Essay -- American History

The Great DepressionThe large-minded PictureThe Great Depression was the longest and most severe stinting decline in American history. On October 29, 1929, the stock market crashed and began the depression. Although labor leaders issued optimistic predictions for the nations economy, the market crash wiped out nearly 40% of the paper values of stocks.Great innovations in productive techniques during and after the struggle raised the output of industry beyond the purchasing capacity of U.S. farmers and operative force. As a result of this, unemployment skyrocketed during the years of the Depression, reaching levels as gamey as one third of the population. Almost half of the commercial banks of the united States failed during the Depression. Crop prices fell by over fifty percent. People went empty because so much food was produced that production became unprofitable. Others were unemployed because they had produced much than could be sold. Hundreds of thousands roamed the cou ntry in search of food, work, and shelter.Huge numbers of Americans had their lives upset by the Depression. Homelessness, poverty and despair characterized much of the nation in those days. Many of those who could not provide for their families, in larger cities as well as little towns, committed suicide to put an end to their troubles.Small Town life epochThe depression was not limited to the confines of large cities, it spread analogous a disease throughout our great nation. It even managed to find its dash into the small town of Oakesdale, Washington. Frances Taylor, a mere child at this time clearly remembers the events that took place.As children, we werent really aware of what was going on. We simply didnt take care the concept of being poor. Many fam... ...ovided the initial 63 million dollars for the throw off to begin.My father found work by being part of the social organisation of Grand Coulee Dam. He would stay on the site while our set out took care of the chil dren support in Oakesdale. He would send the money back to support the family.The Grand Coulee Dam would provide many jobs for the unemployed as well as be employ in the upcoming war. It was used primarily for irrigation at first, but as the war progressed it was changed to produce more electricity for the Northwests aluminum industry.The beginning of World War II would stir to be the factor that directed America out of the Depression. How ironic, that such a horrifying event could spur an economic rejuvenation. The Depression was a move time, America was at a loss for words and money, but as a nation, we pulled together and got through the worst of the worst.