During the Great Depression Americans faced a series of challenges beyond the widely discussed stock market crash and emerging distrust of the American financial system. These challenges include the struggle to find work with reasonable pay and the abandonment of farms within the Dust Bowl. Sources describe how these challenges manifested in a large migration of poverty stricken Americans from their native states into the agricultural regions of California. This paper will look at such sources to expound on the experiences of American migrant workers during this era including the significance of these migrant workers within the struggling American economy.
This paper will look at this period in the history of America. In doing this, the paper …show more content…
Farm owners in California needed the migrants to complete the harvest but heavily resented their presence. For instance, when they moved into a particular district or county, residents always showed them that they were not wanted there. Others saw them as seen as ignorant, unhealthy and dirty people. They were also seen as a liability in as far as there was increased need to use taxpayers’ money on policing within communities. In addition, some people viewed them as threats to the agricultural industry especially if they were allowed to be organized since they would be united enough to have a go slow and cause significant amount of losses. On the other hand however, they were badly needed. But they could not be allowed to feel at home. Residents for their own benefit effectively capitalized on their problems and desperation. This relationship could also be related with the hate that the people of America had for the Chinese immigrants during the Yellow Peril where the Chinese Exclusion Act was in fact enacted in 1882. It is similar to this case of the Migrant gypsies since in both cases, they were needed for their cheap labor. They were wanted and unwanted at the same time. However, this cannot relate with how the Black people were treated in the south around this time. They were enslaved and treated to only a few amount of bacon per week. When they were paid for their work, all they received was about fifty to seventy cents after working for an entire
This paper will look at this period in the history of America. In doing this, the paper …show more content…
Farm owners in California needed the migrants to complete the harvest but heavily resented their presence. For instance, when they moved into a particular district or county, residents always showed them that they were not wanted there. Others saw them as seen as ignorant, unhealthy and dirty people. They were also seen as a liability in as far as there was increased need to use taxpayers’ money on policing within communities. In addition, some people viewed them as threats to the agricultural industry especially if they were allowed to be organized since they would be united enough to have a go slow and cause significant amount of losses. On the other hand however, they were badly needed. But they could not be allowed to feel at home. Residents for their own benefit effectively capitalized on their problems and desperation. This relationship could also be related with the hate that the people of America had for the Chinese immigrants during the Yellow Peril where the Chinese Exclusion Act was in fact enacted in 1882. It is similar to this case of the Migrant gypsies since in both cases, they were needed for their cheap labor. They were wanted and unwanted at the same time. However, this cannot relate with how the Black people were treated in the south around this time. They were enslaved and treated to only a few amount of bacon per week. When they were paid for their work, all they received was about fifty to seventy cents after working for an entire