Reflection for Chapter VIII: Long Dark Night of the Depression The Shame and Misery of the Depression is the work of T.H. Watkins that discusses with practical examples how under the leadership of Herbert Hoover, America experienced one of the worst economic failures ever in its history. Watkins shows how the Republican president had given confidence to a future that was bright for the American people. However, what followed was a devastating experience that left millions unemployed, starving, and economically insecure as financial institutions closed down at an alarming rate. Through the subheadings, Universal Fears, Fighting for the Scraps, The Limits of Charity and, A Private Kind of Shame, Watkins gives an information-packed, emotionally charged and discerning account of America’s crucible. The chapter is illustrated episodically using photographs and illuminating captions that convey the night in American history.
Through the moving episodes …show more content…
To me, it is a defining moment of the century because it changed the role of and the conception of the government in economies and resulted in a new and modern macroeconomics era. The depression as portrayed by Watkins was an experience that affected the Americans, both psychologically and economically. Through the use of stories of Odie Stallings and Gordon Park, Watkins brings out the illustration of personal tragedies that families and people faced during this economic hardship period. However, despite the frustration, poverty, disillusionment, and anger that millions of Americans experienced, I noted that a majority of them opted not to demand for radical change using violence. This shows that the patriotism spirits that the American people had made them opt for turning to charity and volunteerism in solving the crisis, and when all these failed, they voted Hoover
Through the moving episodes …show more content…
To me, it is a defining moment of the century because it changed the role of and the conception of the government in economies and resulted in a new and modern macroeconomics era. The depression as portrayed by Watkins was an experience that affected the Americans, both psychologically and economically. Through the use of stories of Odie Stallings and Gordon Park, Watkins brings out the illustration of personal tragedies that families and people faced during this economic hardship period. However, despite the frustration, poverty, disillusionment, and anger that millions of Americans experienced, I noted that a majority of them opted not to demand for radical change using violence. This shows that the patriotism spirits that the American people had made them opt for turning to charity and volunteerism in solving the crisis, and when all these failed, they voted Hoover