employment discrimination

• The whole situation was very much worse as there was no welfare state. This was mainly due to the prevailing political and economic ideologies of the time. The governments focus was more on rugged individualism and self-reliance, influencing the absence of a comprehensive welfare system during the late 1920s.
• If a man was out of work, there was no system of unemployment benefit to enable him to feed his family and pay his rent or mortgage until he found another job. (due to no welfare state)
• Circumstances for African Americans were desperate.

  Racial discrimination was not illegal, and where there were jobs available, black men and women were not employed. Whereas, today laws have been put in place & is illegal.
• In the South, gangs of unemployed white workers harassed and threatened companies who employed black workers instead of out-of-work white men. Some companies recruited white migrants and women to fill jobs rather than employ local black workers. Even when African American men could find employment, it was in low-skilled jobs, and their wages were lower than those paid to white workers for the same jobs.
• The visual impact of the Great Depression in America was truly devastating.

  Locals faced severe poverty, with many losing their homes and living in makeshift shantytowns called "Hoovervilles." Soup kitchens and breadlines were common, illustrating the widespread unemployment and hardship people endured. The streets were filled with scenes of desperation and struggle, painting a grim picture of the economic crisis.
• African Americans faced severe employment discrimination during the Great Depression and its visual impact:

  They were often the last to be hired and the first to be fired, experiencing high levels of unemployment. Discriminatory practices were prevalent, with many being denied job opportunities based on their race. This led to economic hardships and deepened the inequality African Americans already faced in the workforce.
• How did African Americans cope with employment discrimination during the Great Depression:

  By forming their own businesses and organisations, creating job opportunities within their communities. They also advocated for civil rights and equal employment opportunities through activism and participation in organisations like the, NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Despite facing significant challenges, African Americans showed resilience and strength in the face of discrimination.
• Other ways African Americans coped with discrimination

  They relied on mutual aid societies and churches to provide support and resources during tough times. Additionally, African American leaders like W.E.B. Du Bois and Mary McLeod Bethune fought for civil rights and economic equality through activism and education initiatives.
• Whites during the Great Depression also faced significant challenges.

  Many turned to government relief programs like the New Deal implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide jobs and support. Some sought employment in industries like manufacturing and agriculture, while others relied on family and community networks for assistance. The resilience and resourcefulness of individuals and communities played a crucial role in helping white Americans navigate the economic hardships of that era.
• Whites during the Great Depression benefited from New Deal programs

  The CCC Civilian Conservation Corps, which provided employment for young men in conservation projects.

  
  

  WPA Works Progress Administration, which created jobs in various sectors such as construction, arts, and infrastructure development.

  
  

  Programs like the TVA Tennessee Valley Authority aimed to improve economic conditions in rural areas by providing electricity and promoting agricultural development.

  These initiatives helped many white Americans find work and support during challenging times.
• What little welfare there was, was provided by either charities or, occasionally, local government. The federal government played no part at all. In the majority of cases, local government simply did not have the resources, or the will, to provide for millions of homeless and hungry families.
• Many states and cities had themselves suffered bankruptcy by the end of 1932. A small number of states, such as New York State under its governor Franklin Roosevelt, were able to borrow money to try to assist with feeding the very hungry. Even then, any support tended not to go to African Americans, Hispanic people and Native Americans, and their situation was often appalling.

  By the spring of 1933, it was becoming clear that the USA was facing a serious catastrophe and there was little optimism for the future. The economy had clearly broken down.
• What surprised many observers was how peacefully the vast majority of Americans reacted to the crisis. There were some outbreaks of violent protest and there was a growth in membership of communist, socialist and fascist parties, but not on a large scale, and those parties tended to be badly divided among themselves. In Germany, for example, citizens had looked to radical solutions such as those provided by Hitler. In the United States, there was some unrest, but overall people were generally willing to wait for the democratic process to find a solution.