The biggest and most memorable event of the 1930's has to be the Great Depression. The crash of the stock market on "Black Tuesday- in 1929 caused the American economy to take a drastic turn for the worst. The economy has never been so awful.
Economics.
When "Black Tuesday- occurred, it started a long chain of mishaps in the American economy. This time of misery was also known as the Great Depression. Many people were out of jobs, and would do almost anything to earn money for their families. .
"Economics dominated politics during the 1930's. The decade began with shanty towns called Hoovervilles, named after a president who felt that relief should be left to programs funded by the national government and an assortment of commissions set up to regulate Wall Street, the banking industry, and other business enterprises."" (American History - 1930-1939).
In 1937, Dorothy Thompson held a debate with England's Ambassador to the U.S. in a fight for women's rights. "Men have been hording on women's jobs ever since the Industrial revolution began and when the factories were established. There are more men millionaires than women. Men are interior decorators, dress makers, baby doctors, and household servants. The only work for women is the bearing and nursing of children.""(Dorothy Thompson, The decades: 1930's cassette).
There were 11 million working women during the Depression. They worked 8 hours a week and got $11. During the Depression, the average salary dropped from $2,300 to $1,500 and unemployment rose 25%. (American History - 1930-1939) (American History - 1930-1939) .
The Civilian Conservation Corporation (CCC), organized by the army, help put 2 ½ million men to work. 200 million trees were planted across the country by the CCC. Another organization to help give people jobs was the Works Progress Administration (WPA). At first, WPA was ridiculed, but soon developed a good reputation by helping rebuild the country.
