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Eleanor Roosevelt A Biography
Depression Era In this story you will read about the “Great Depression.” It occurred in 1929 and lasted until the beginning of World War II. This is a photograph of a soup line. Hundreds of unemployed men, women, and children were fed once a day from a churches front door.
Depression Era Many banks simply closed their doors, never to open again. People’s life savings and money disappeared.
Depression Era Tent and shack towns sprang up and were known as “Hoovervilles.” They were named after President Hoover, who is thought to be responsible for the “Great Depression.”
Depression Era Millions of people lost their jobs and homes. They moved from location to location, living in tents.
Depression Era Families packed whatever belongings they owned and moved anywhere they could find employment.
Depression Era At the same time the depression occurred, another disaster happened in the mid-west of the United States. Oklahoma, a once green, farming state turned into a “dust bowl.” A drought dried up the land and strong winds blew the fertile soil away. Oklahoma has never recovered and is still a dry state.
Depression Era Farms were abandoned because the earth was unfit to plant any crops.
Depression Era The drought and dust storms spread West. This is a picture of a dust storm in Colorado.
Depression Era Men left their families to seek work. Many never returned out of shame. They abandoned their families, leaving women and children to fend for themselves.
Depression Era Some men stood in a food line for hours just to receive a loaf of bread, some sugar, and a few pounds of meat. These meager supplies were needed to last at least a week or more.
FDR Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president in 1932 and served sixteen years. He saw the country through the Depression and created many social programs which still exist today such as social security, federal highways. He created jobs to bring the country out of poverty. He is also credited with the rise of radio, which he used to give weekly addresses to the nation.
FDR FDR suffered from “polio.” A disease which can rob a person of all movement. This is called paralysis. Some of those afflicted not only lost their ability to walk, but breathe on their own. Iron Lung
FDR Although FDR did not have the most severe form of polio, he did lose his ability to walk. He wore leg braces to help him stand.
Vocabulary in Context We wondered about his brooding, or troubled nature. Example Restatement Contrast Antonym: happy, cheerful, joyous Synonym: disappointed, depressed, discouraged
Vocabulary in Context My uncle George is a prominent citizen-that is, everyone in town knows who he is. Example Restatement Contrast Antonym: unimportant, unknown, obscure Synonym: big shot, celebrated, noticeable
Vocabulary in Context That is a priority. It must receive your attention first. Example Restatement Contrast Antonym: insignificant, unimportant, trivial Synonym: important, significant, urgent
Vocabulary in Context The soldier was an active combatant, or fighter. Example Restatement Contrast Antonym: coward, loser, spectator Synonym: battler, gladiator, warrior
Vocabulary in Context The migrant farm workers, people who move from job to job, follow the growing seasons for crop harvesting. Example Restatement Contrast Antonym: local, native, indigenous Synonym: drifter, gypsy, traveler
