What were the Effects of the Great Depression in America?

The Americans in the countryside were greatly hit by the Great Depression, especially the farmers who, didn't make enough money due to prices being lowered so dramatically. They felt there was no point harvesting crops, as the care of the crops cost more than the what the profit would be and so they decided not to sell but with no money to buy basic goods, such as food, they went hungry very quickly. In a desperate struggle to quick cash to live on, many people either sold farms out of their own will or had to give farms to banks for money owed. Many people looked towards the possibility of migration to other states such as California which was seen to be the equivalent of the 'promised land' . Many people migrated due to the opportunity to make money or, as many people were, being drawn to the light of the city or the state. A quote says 'a six year- old boy licked the paper bag that the meat had been brought in. His legs were scarcely any larger than a medium sized dog's leg'. This shows us just how desperate, hungry and poor families became and how serious it was.

In conclusion, the urban population was better off, yet this only applied to the rich. In the countryside I have already clearly stated how bad the conditions were and who suffered. You can therefore make the overall conclusion that everyone was concerned, though farmers were more greatly affected in the country-side and many middle-class people were affected in the urban life.