Women and Minorities Throughout the Great Depression The purpose of this paper is to compare the treatment of women and minorities during the Great Depression. Prior life experience for both factions dealt with many inequalities compared to white American men. Therefore, this paper will highlight the matters that these two groups faced during the economic crisis as they pertain to retaining employment, changes with family dynamics, economic and political issues.
The Great Depression was a period during American history that existed as the nation’s worst economic crisis as well as the deepest and longest-lasting. It continued all through the 1930’s as consumer spending and ventures plunged. In addition, it created unparalleled financial institution failures, job loss, industrial and agricultural collapse which impelled an extended role for the federal government (Himmelberg, 2001). The unemployment rate of the United States in 1933 was greater than 25 percent. In addition, the unemployment rate for a variety of American minorities exceeded 50 percent during this time. Unfortunately, since …show more content…
These two groups continued being discussed as lesser individuals and yet continued to stand up for them, contested for their own rights and supported their families. Following the Depression, African-Americans were able to gain relief, recovery and reform from federal programs. Some gained support through youth and educational programs protecting them as members of labor unions and several became union officers. Women faced an obligation to seek paid work outside of the home and for less pay than Caucasian men, compared to the treatment minorities received. Nonetheless, women struggled under debate as equal citizens in accord with minority efforts. Fortunately, the New Deal provided progress, but it was only the beginning, helping set the groundwork for future social
The Great Depression was a period during American history that existed as the nation’s worst economic crisis as well as the deepest and longest-lasting. It continued all through the 1930’s as consumer spending and ventures plunged. In addition, it created unparalleled financial institution failures, job loss, industrial and agricultural collapse which impelled an extended role for the federal government (Himmelberg, 2001). The unemployment rate of the United States in 1933 was greater than 25 percent. In addition, the unemployment rate for a variety of American minorities exceeded 50 percent during this time. Unfortunately, since …show more content…
These two groups continued being discussed as lesser individuals and yet continued to stand up for them, contested for their own rights and supported their families. Following the Depression, African-Americans were able to gain relief, recovery and reform from federal programs. Some gained support through youth and educational programs protecting them as members of labor unions and several became union officers. Women faced an obligation to seek paid work outside of the home and for less pay than Caucasian men, compared to the treatment minorities received. Nonetheless, women struggled under debate as equal citizens in accord with minority efforts. Fortunately, the New Deal provided progress, but it was only the beginning, helping set the groundwork for future social