The Great Depression is perhaps one of the most, well, depressing, events in American history. Capitalism and individualism have long since been core values to the American people, values which still hold true to this day, but in a sense it was this stubbornness which led to the financial disaster in the 1930s. There are several factors which led to the disaster, the most common being the stock market crash in 1929, this was rather the tipping point for the American people, the most visible. Other factors included a tremendous amount of bank failures which stagnated the flow of money, and the Dust Bowl which was caused by over over-farming and persistent droughts , created a 150,000-square-mile area of dried soil and high winds in the mid-west
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Mainers in particular experienced similar issues that farmers in the West did, however, Maine’s situation was rather unique compared to other states. Those living in Maine were not distracted or disillusioned to the fantasies of the Roaring Twenties simply because they were a part of the group of individuals who did not benefit from the era, in fact, Maine had been a suffering state from many years before that. If there were any place that was the full embodiment of individualism in the U.S. it would be Maine. Their proud, reserved, stubborn nature prevented a majority of the population from accepting any form of government relief, believing in to be a disgrace to be, “on the town,” meaning welfare. If a man was incapable of providing for his family or finding a job, than he was untrustworthy, and for those who did accept government aide faced serious discrimination among their fellow Mainers. Similar to famers, Maine’s economy relied on natural resources and season farming and fishing. Coupled with financial insecurity, a government which refused federal aid, and an economy based around seasonal employment, Maine suffered tremendously during the Depression. The work was back breaking and cost more money than they were earning, but still, the people remained resilient and patient with an understanding that eventually they would find an opportunity to overcome their adversity on their
Mainers in particular experienced similar issues that farmers in the West did, however, Maine’s situation was rather unique compared to other states. Those living in Maine were not distracted or disillusioned to the fantasies of the Roaring Twenties simply because they were a part of the group of individuals who did not benefit from the era, in fact, Maine had been a suffering state from many years before that. If there were any place that was the full embodiment of individualism in the U.S. it would be Maine. Their proud, reserved, stubborn nature prevented a majority of the population from accepting any form of government relief, believing in to be a disgrace to be, “on the town,” meaning welfare. If a man was incapable of providing for his family or finding a job, than he was untrustworthy, and for those who did accept government aide faced serious discrimination among their fellow Mainers. Similar to famers, Maine’s economy relied on natural resources and season farming and fishing. Coupled with financial insecurity, a government which refused federal aid, and an economy based around seasonal employment, Maine suffered tremendously during the Depression. The work was back breaking and cost more money than they were earning, but still, the people remained resilient and patient with an understanding that eventually they would find an opportunity to overcome their adversity on their