The Great Depression

The 1920s was time where everything in America seemed to be hopeful and looked prosperous. However, by the fall of 1929 America began to drastically change, we “hit” rock bottom. The economic expansion of the “roaring twenties” came to an end. Our economy collapsed and we fell into an economic depression. The Great Depression left many American families in a pickle to say the least. This was a worldwide phenomenon that was composed of an infinite number of separate but related events. The Great Depression was a time of poverty and despair.

People lost their jobs and their whole entire life savings just within a few short hours. Their lives were changed and America was never the same after that. Life during that time did not get any easier, people became broke, hungry and went many nights without a roof over their head. During this time was when families actually became closer. Many realized that they may have lost everything but, one thing they still had was their family and that was all that really mattered.

At the time everything seemed to be hopeful and the joy that my family was experiencing felt like it would last forever. Daddy and mama had finally caught up on all of our financial troubles, school had started, and my siblings and I were making new friends. Living on the farm has been amazing and I will forever treasure all the memories I have had on it. Watching the cattle graze and daddy out in the field is such a blessing in itself. All these blessing and experiences that I have had came to a halt in the fall of 1929.

When the stock market crashed, my daddy and mama began to struggle even more financially. The stock market crash caused the prices of our cattle and crops to decrease drastically. Daddy had to double up on the crops, just so we could get by. Even though, things are difficult we still consider ourselves blessed because we can actually grow our own food, unlike families in cities. Although, things do not look like they are going to get any better, I know I have to keep a brave, and strong look on my face for my younger siblings. Being the oldest I understand what is happening but as young as they are, they would never understand. Daddy and mama are still trying to figure out how we are going to make it, because as of right now we may not be able to keep the farm. As the days went by, nothing seemed to be getting any better. We are still struggling, but somehow we are making it.

I have never say my daddy cry until tonight at the table where he told us that we had to leave our home. As I sat there I could not help to think “What was going to happen to us”. My younger siblings did not understand why we had to leave. My little brother sat there crying, because he did not want to leave and lose all of his friends. Daddy was finally able to get around to say that the reason why we had to leave was because we could not financially afford to keep the home or the farm. Leaving our home is not only hard for my parents but for my siblings and I as well.

It is Monday, the day that we are suppose to be leaving. As I started packing up my belongs, I began to realize how hard it was going to be to leave this place, this is were I grew up, and this is were I have watched my younger siblings become strong and independent. I was putting my Raggedy Ann Doll in my bag, when I heard daddy calling “It’s time to go”. I sat there for a few more minutes taking in all the memories I have had here in this house and on the farm, cause I know this will probably be the last time that I will ever get to see this place again.

As you know, the Great Depression has left my family in a pickle to say the least. After we left the farm, daddy looked for many other options, but none of them ever worked out. He never thought our family would be this affected, but the depression has had its toil on everyone. Daddy finally mustered up his strength and took us to the local soup kitchen. Here we got our very first hand out and our first actual hot meal, one which we haven’t had in weeks. I don’t think daddy’s hunger really bothered him, until he saw how hungry, mama and us kids were. I think that was when daddy realized that we needed all the help we could get.

The line wrapped all around the building, many people tried to jump head, but as you know that never happened. After we got our soup we went and sat down beside a group of children that were around the same age as my siblings and I. As we sat there I wondered if those kids had the same family crisis going on, like ours? Did their parents have a hard time admitting that they needed help? As we sat there at the soup kitchen I saw many families who were in the same boat that mine was in. Not only farmer families were here but folks from the cities were here as well. I thought they had it easy but I guess not. This depression not only affected farmers but, city folk too.

Welcome to my new neck of the woods, the Hoovervilles. Our new community has been built during this here depression, by folks like my daddy who found themselves in situations where they could not get out of. We are on the brink of being broke and homeless. Our walls, roof, windows, and doors are all comprised of old furnishings. These old furnishings all are made up of scrap materials that have been left out on the streets by the wealthy. We use these things because it is all we have. My family’s new home is one room that has no heat, electricity, or plumbing. Our old home on the farm was a whole lot better than our home in the Hooverville but at least we do not have to live out on the streets like some other folks do.

My siblings and I have really nothing to play with except my Ol’ Raggedy Ann Doll and a rope we use for jump rope. Our family tires to make the best of each moment but as you know it is extremely hard. As the years of the Great Depression drag by slowly and painfully, I try to count my blessings, but there are only a few.