Great Depression Impact

Definition

The Great Depression Impact refers to the widespread economic and social consequences of the Great Depression, a severe worldwide economic downturn that lasted from 1929 until the late 1930s. In the Appalachian Plateau, this period was marked by intensified poverty, significant unemployment, and a decline in coal mining and other industries that were vital to the region's economy, leading to lasting changes in both the social fabric and the economy of the area.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Great Depression hit Appalachia particularly hard due to its reliance on coal mining, which saw a drastic decline in demand and layoffs.
2. Many families were forced into subsistence farming as traditional wage jobs disappeared, leading to a significant increase in poverty rates.
3. Government relief efforts during this time included programs aimed at infrastructure improvement, which helped create some jobs but did not completely alleviate economic distress.
4. The decline in coal production also triggered a migration of workers out of the region, seeking better opportunities elsewhere, often leading to a loss of population.
5. The social impact included increased reliance on informal community networks for support, as traditional family structures faced strain due to economic pressures.

Review Questions

• How did the Great Depression specifically affect employment patterns in the Appalachian Plateau?
  • The Great Depression resulted in significant job losses in the Appalachian Plateau, particularly in the coal mining industry. As demand for coal plummeted, many miners found themselves unemployed, leading to a high rate of poverty. This situation forced many individuals and families to seek alternative means of survival, such as subsistence farming or migrating to other regions in search of work. The long-term effects reshaped employment patterns and demographics in the area.
• Analyze the effectiveness of government responses to mitigate the impact of the Great Depression in Appalachia.
  • Government responses during the Great Depression included various relief programs aimed at improving infrastructure and providing direct assistance. While these efforts created some temporary jobs and improved local facilities, they often fell short of addressing the widespread economic hardship faced by residents. Many programs were inadequate for reversing unemployment rates or stimulating long-term economic growth. The mixed results highlighted the challenges of implementing effective relief measures in a region heavily reliant on a single industry like coal.
• Evaluate how the Great Depression led to lasting changes in both social structures and economic practices within the Appalachian Plateau.
  • The Great Depression brought profound shifts to social structures and economic practices within the Appalachian Plateau that persisted long after the crisis. Traditional family units faced increased strain due to financial stress, leading to shifts in community reliance and support networks. Economically, many residents moved away from coal mining to alternative livelihoods, altering local economies significantly. This transition prompted new approaches to development and policy-making in Appalachia that emphasized diversification beyond resource extraction, laying groundwork for future initiatives such as those by the Appalachian Regional Commission.

Related terms

New Deal: A series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform during the Great Depression.

Dust Bowl: A severe drought during the 1930s that affected agricultural regions of the United States, compounding the economic hardships of the Great Depression.

Appalachian Regional Commission:

A federal-state partnership established in 1965 to address economic development and improve living conditions in the Appalachian region.