Economic hardship

Definition

Economic hardship refers to a condition where individuals or communities face severe financial difficulties, often leading to poverty and decreased quality of life. This situation can arise from various factors such as unemployment, reduced income, or economic downturns, significantly affecting people's ability to meet basic needs like food, shelter, and healthcare.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Farm Security Administration was established in 1937 to combat the economic hardship faced by rural Americans during the Great Depression by providing financial assistance and support for farmers.
2. FSA photography aimed to document the struggles of those affected by economic hardship, highlighting their resilience and the social issues they faced, which helped raise public awareness.
3. Photographers like Dorothea Lange captured iconic images that conveyed the emotional toll of economic hardship, including the famous 'Migrant Mother' photograph that became a symbol of the era.
4. The FSA's work not only documented suffering but also aimed to promote policy changes and humanitarian efforts to alleviate economic distress among farming communities.
5. The photographs produced by the FSA were used in various media campaigns to influence public opinion and garner support for government programs addressing economic hardship.

Review Questions

• How did economic hardship during the Great Depression influence the mission and work of the Farm Security Administration?
  • Economic hardship during the Great Depression led to the creation of the Farm Security Administration, whose mission was to alleviate the struggles faced by rural Americans. The FSA sought to provide financial assistance to farmers while also documenting their hardships through photography. By capturing these realities, they aimed to raise awareness about the dire conditions people were facing and to advocate for more substantial government support for affected communities.
• Analyze how FSA photographers like Dorothea Lange contributed to public perception of economic hardship in America during the 1930s.
  • FSA photographers played a crucial role in shaping public perception of economic hardship by creating powerful visual narratives that illustrated the struggles of individuals and families during the Great Depression. Dorothea Lange's iconic works, particularly 'Migrant Mother,' evoked strong emotional responses from viewers and humanized those suffering from poverty. These images not only raised awareness about the severity of economic challenges but also fostered empathy, influencing public opinion and government policy toward relief efforts.
• Evaluate the long-term impacts of documenting economic hardship through photography on American social policies and community welfare programs.
  • Documenting economic hardship through photography had significant long-term impacts on American social policies and community welfare programs. The visual documentation highlighted the urgent needs of marginalized groups, pushing policymakers to consider more comprehensive relief efforts and social safety nets. The emotional resonance of these images helped galvanize public support for initiatives like the New Deal, ultimately leading to lasting changes in how government addressed poverty and inequality. Furthermore, these visual records continue to serve as vital historical references that remind society of past challenges and inform contemporary discussions about social justice.

Related terms

Great Depression: A severe worldwide economic depression that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s, characterized by widespread unemployment and a significant decline in economic activity.

New Deal: A series of programs and reforms implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at providing relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reforms to prevent future depressions.

Rural Electrification: A government initiative aimed at providing electricity to rural areas in the United States, improving living standards and promoting economic development during times of economic hardship.