Great Depression Facts – 43 Interesting Facts About Great Depression
Fun Facts About the Great Depression
Agriculture was badly affected in the late 1920’s and it became worse in the 1930’s.
Drought ravaged across the prairies in North and South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico and with no rainfall the soil turned to dust.
Horrifying dust storms sent huge plumes of dust across the arid land destroying crops and livestock. Farmers lost their land and homes which they had mortgaged to banks. Huge population started migrating towards West to California forcing the Los Angeles Police Department to block the migrants from the Dust Bowl from crossing the California border.
Americans sought solace listening too radio or going to movies. 60-80 million Americans went to the movies every week.
Popular films during the period included ‘Gone with the Wind’, ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’, ‘King Kong’ etc.
The Great Recession had a big impact on the International trade also. Import duties were hiked and it led to a drop in international trade by more than 70%.
Herbert Hoover could not win over the American voters and on March 4, 1933 the Democrat candidate Franklin D Roosevelt ascended the office as the President of United States. In his words “..The only thing we have to fear is fear itself – nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror”.
He had plans to beat the recession which included a plan to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor, the period of American history known as “New Deal” had begun.
It included intense legislative activity and the passing off crucial 15 laws by the Congress to overcome the economic crisis.
The New Deal program will become one of the most expensive government initiatives introduced by any American President.
