American Identity during the Great Depression
In the Fields
This photograph depicts agricultural work, which industry was one of the most hard hit by the Depression and the Dust Bowl, with unsustainable practices and a great surplus of farm products.
Imperial Valley, California.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
This photograph depicts agricultural work, which industry was one of the most hard hit by the Depression and the Dust Bowl, with unsustainable practices and a great surplus of farm products.
Imperial Valley, California.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
In the Fields
This photograph depicts the migrant workers in California, many of whom left the Dust Bowl states like Oklahoma and Arkansas in search of hope for better land and a steady income. However, many migrants found just as tough conditions upon their arrival, with low wages and an abundance of cheap labor.
Near Meloland, Imperial Valley.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
This photograph depicts the migrant workers in California, many of whom left the Dust Bowl states like Oklahoma and Arkansas in search of hope for better land and a steady income. However, many migrants found just as tough conditions upon their arrival, with low wages and an abundance of cheap labor.
Near Meloland, Imperial Valley.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
Little Money
This man was a tenant farmer, but got on to a relief grant during the New Deal.
In the Imperial Valley, California.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
This man was a tenant farmer, but got on to a relief grant during the New Deal.
In the Imperial Valley, California.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
On the Move
This family travelled by freight train in search of a better place to work an live, amongst the economic and ecological disaster in the 1930's.
Washington, Toppenish, Yakima Valley.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
This family travelled by freight train in search of a better place to work an live, amongst the economic and ecological disaster in the 1930's.
Washington, Toppenish, Yakima Valley.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
Enduring Life
This billboard was put up by the National Association of Manufacturers, showing a sharp contrast to the state of living of those who saw this board. The rule of big business was eventually shown to be harmful to the American people.
Billboard on U.S. Highway 99 in California.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
This billboard was put up by the National Association of Manufacturers, showing a sharp contrast to the state of living of those who saw this board. The rule of big business was eventually shown to be harmful to the American people.
Billboard on U.S. Highway 99 in California.
Photograph by Dorothea Lange
Wall Street on Black Tuesday
10/29/1929
10/29/1929
Homeless shantytown known as Hooverville
Seattle, Washington
June 10, 1937
This Hooverville and other homeless shantytowns came to be during the end of Hoover's presidency, in the beginning of the Great Depression. The people living in these Hoovervilles had to deal with tough living conditions, great competition for employment, and a sense of despair that lasted until FDR came in with the New Deal, looking out for the "forgotten man."
Photograph by James Patrick Lee
Seattle, Washington
June 10, 1937
This Hooverville and other homeless shantytowns came to be during the end of Hoover's presidency, in the beginning of the Great Depression. The people living in these Hoovervilles had to deal with tough living conditions, great competition for employment, and a sense of despair that lasted until FDR came in with the New Deal, looking out for the "forgotten man."
Photograph by James Patrick Lee
Scene at a Municipal Market
Washington, DC
February, 1938
National Archives and Records Administration
This photograph shows the WPA Hot School Lunch Project, specifically the buying of the food used in the project. The project provided nutrition and food for may children during the Depression, sometimes the only substantial meal they would receive all day.
Washington, DC
February, 1938
National Archives and Records Administration
This photograph shows the WPA Hot School Lunch Project, specifically the buying of the food used in the project. The project provided nutrition and food for may children during the Depression, sometimes the only substantial meal they would receive all day.
WPA Rock Quarry
(Gilmer Co.) Orlando, WVMar 31, 1938
WPA
National Archives and Records Administration
The photograph depicts a WPA rock quarry, supplying rocks for nearby road construction. The WPA provided an opportunity for employment for many workers during the worst years of the Depression, in addition to starting public works projects, some of whose results have lasted even until today.
(Gilmer Co.) Orlando, WVMar 31, 1938
WPA
National Archives and Records Administration
The photograph depicts a WPA rock quarry, supplying rocks for nearby road construction. The WPA provided an opportunity for employment for many workers during the worst years of the Depression, in addition to starting public works projects, some of whose results have lasted even until today.
WPA Sewing Room, Washington, DC
Washington, DC
WPA
National Archives and Records Administration
This WPA Sewing Room made garments for relief clients, in addition to providing employment to women, to let them bring in an income for themselves or for their family.
Washington, DC
WPA
National Archives and Records Administration
This WPA Sewing Room made garments for relief clients, in addition to providing employment to women, to let them bring in an income for themselves or for their family.
Results of Fertilizer
Tennessee
TVA
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
In this photograph, the TVA points out one of its successful aspects, to improve soil conditions in the Tennessee Valley, an area hard hit by the Depression and the Dust Bowl. The TVA had opened many fertilizer plants, that manufactured the fertilizer that helped the eroding topsoil recover from the Dust Bowl.
Tennessee
TVA
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
In this photograph, the TVA points out one of its successful aspects, to improve soil conditions in the Tennessee Valley, an area hard hit by the Depression and the Dust Bowl. The TVA had opened many fertilizer plants, that manufactured the fertilizer that helped the eroding topsoil recover from the Dust Bowl.
Lights for the Barnyard
Tennessee
TVA
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
One of the TVA's programs was to provide electricity for rural areas. One of its sources of electricity was the hydroelectric dams in various rivers around the country. The program also brought the government more into play with utilities.
Tennessee
TVA
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
One of the TVA's programs was to provide electricity for rural areas. One of its sources of electricity was the hydroelectric dams in various rivers around the country. The program also brought the government more into play with utilities.
Lt. Gov. Lunn, FDR, John W. Davis, and Al Smith
Hyde Park, NYAug 7, 1924
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
This photograph depicts Lt. Gov. Lunn, a socialist politician, FDR, John W. Davis, the 1924 Democratic presidential candidate, and Al(cohol) Smith, the 1928 Democratic presidential candidate. Of the candidates, FDR was the only one to be president. It took the economic crash to bring the Democratic party back to power.
Hyde Park, NYAug 7, 1924
Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
This photograph depicts Lt. Gov. Lunn, a socialist politician, FDR, John W. Davis, the 1924 Democratic presidential candidate, and Al(cohol) Smith, the 1928 Democratic presidential candidate. Of the candidates, FDR was the only one to be president. It took the economic crash to bring the Democratic party back to power.
FDR at a Baseball Game
Washington, DC
Apr 18, 1938
WPA
National Archives and Records Administration
A PWA negative, depicting Mr. Hopkins, a prominent New Deal politician, attending a baseball game with FDR and others. These men were the most important people in the New Deal, with FDR at the head and Hopkins running many of its programs.
Washington, DC
Apr 18, 1938
WPA
National Archives and Records Administration
A PWA negative, depicting Mr. Hopkins, a prominent New Deal politician, attending a baseball game with FDR and others. These men were the most important people in the New Deal, with FDR at the head and Hopkins running many of its programs.
Mural on WPA Bldg at NY World's Fair, 1939
New York
1939
FAP
National Archives and Records Administration
This mural on the WPA building at the New York World's Fair was among many public murals commissioned by the WPA to employ artists and to beautify the country and public buildings. The art deco style is characteristic to these murals.
Photograph by Philip Guston
New York
1939
FAP
National Archives and Records Administration
This mural on the WPA building at the New York World's Fair was among many public murals commissioned by the WPA to employ artists and to beautify the country and public buildings. The art deco style is characteristic to these murals.
Photograph by Philip Guston