This project...
The nation's most devastating economic downturn, the Great Depression, affected blacks more adversely than any other group of Americans. This project explores the impact that the Great Depression had on African Americans. Far too often the Great Depression is remembered as a problem that affected the lives of white Americans while neglecting the fact that African American's were possibly hit the hardest. The Depression compounded the difficulties that African American's were already facing. Layoffs and housing foreclosures shut many blacks out of the American Dream that previously seemed so close.The increased economic tension of the Great Depression caused blacks to shift their focus to financial and social issues of the time.
This project is designed to be a useful tool in researching the effect of the Great Depression on African Americans. Information included is:
This project is designed to be a useful tool in researching the effect of the Great Depression on African Americans. Information included is:
- The Great Depression - Included is information of what occurred to cause the greatest economic disaster to happen in the United States and an overview of how the government tried to assist the people most effected.
- The Great Migration - The effects of the Great Depression caused many African Americans to relocate their families. Provided is information and websites that elaborate on this topic.
- Literature - Poetry from Langston Hughes expresses the struggles being felt during the Great Depression. Provided are three books that deeply analyze African Americans during the Great Depression and a variety of fictional books for young adults and adults based on the time surrounding the Great Depression.
- Personal Narratives - Included are personal interviews from individuals who lived during the Great Depression. They share their story of how their families survived. Also, Gordon Parks and Studs Terkel captured the lives of African Americans through photography during the Great Depression. The book, “To Ask for an Equal Chance” provides three letters during the Great Depression from struggling blacks.
- Statistics - Statistics outlining the lives of African Americans during the Great Depression with links to additional information.
- The Blues - Information and YouTube videos of Blues music created during the Great Depression depicting lives of African Americans. Also included are links connected to books on the subject of Blues during the Great Depression.