Great Depression Unemployment: 25 Percent Jobless — Reading Comprehension

The Great Depression was a period of severe economic crisis in the United States that began in 1929. By 1933, nearly 25 percent of American workers were unemployed. This meant that one out of every four people who wanted a job could not find one. The rise of unemployment was not just a number; it represented countless families struggling to survive, and it transformed American society in lasting ways.

Several factors contributed to the dramatic increase in unemployment during the Great Depression. First, the stock market crash of October 1929 triggered panic and caused many investors and banks to lose money. As a result, businesses cut back on production and laid off workers, leading to a downward economic spiral. Additionally, poor farming methods and a severe drought caused the Dust Bowl, which forced many farmers off their land and into cities already crowded with job seekers.

The impact of joblessness was felt across all groups, but in different ways. Factory workers, who once relied on steady wages, suddenly faced hunger and homelessness. Farmers, forced to abandon their land, searched for work in unfamiliar cities. African Americans and immigrants often found themselves the first to be dismissed and the last to be hired. One letter to President Franklin D. Roosevelt asked, "How much longer must we wait before we can get work?" This primary source quote shows the desperation felt by ordinary citizens and their hopes for government action.

Government leaders debated the best way to respond to the crisis. Some believed in laissez-faire policies, where the government would not interfere with the economy, hoping things would improve on their own. Others, like President Roosevelt, argued for intervention—direct government programs to create jobs and support families. The New Deal, a series of programs launched in the 1930s, was an example of this new approach. Programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and Works Progress Administration (WPA) put millions of people back to work, but they could not help everyone.

The effects of such high unemployment were not only economic but also social and psychological. Many people lost their homes and had to live in makeshift communities known as "Hoovervilles." Family roles changed as women and children sometimes became the main earners, and feelings of hopelessness and anxiety spread. At the same time, communities often came together to help one another, forming soup kitchens and sharing resources. This contradiction—struggle and solidarity—defined the era.

In conclusion, the unemployment crisis of the Great Depression was a complex problem with no easy solution. Multiple perspectives—workers, families, politicians—revealed the depth of the crisis and the need for cooperation and innovation. The government's response changed the way Americans thought about the role of public policy in solving economic problems. By examining evidence and different viewpoints, historians can better understand how economic disasters shape society and leave lasting impacts.

Interesting Fact: In 1933, more than 15 million Americans were unemployed, the highest number in U.S. history up to that point.

When did the Great Depression begin?

What percent of Americans were jobless in 1933?

Which city is shown in the image?

What caused many farmers to lose land?

Why did some support government intervention?

Which group was often first dismissed?

The New Deal helped everyone equally. True or false?

What does 'laissez-faire' mean?