This is an archived course. A more recent version may be available at ocw.mit.edu.

 

Lecture 2: The Unemployed

 

Breadline at McCauley Water Street Mission under Brooklyn Bridge, New York.

Breadline at McCauley Water Street Mission under Brooklyn Bridge, New York. Created/published: [between 1930 and 1934?] Library of Congress digital ID: (b&w film copy neg. of print) cph 3b37875

 

Police stand guard outside the entrance to New York's closed World Exchange Bank, March 20, 1931.

Police stand guard outside the entrance to New York's closed World Exchange Bank, March 20, 1931. Photo #1931-36 http://www.ecommcode2.com/hoover/research/photos/1931-36.html

 

Photo of a man with a hat over his face slumped in a chair on a porch.

Circleville, Ohio's "Hooverville". Begins to talk: "No man in the United States had the trouble I had since 1931. No man. Don't talk to me. I'm deaf. I lost my farm in 1931. I went to work in an acid factory. I got acid spilt on me; burnt my nose and made me blind. Then I get those awful headaches. I've been to lots of doctors, but that doesn't help me. They come on at sundown. No man in the United States had the trouble I had since 1931." (This last repeated many times through his talking.) "No man. It must be getting on to 6 o'clock now. My head's beginning to pain.". Shahn, Ben, 1898-1969, photographer. Created/published: 1938 Summer. Library of Congress: LC-USF33-006628-M5 DLC (b&w film nitrate neg.); Digital ID: (intermediary roll film) fsa 8a18697

 

'One-third of a Nation'

"One-third of a Nation" by Arnold Eagle and David Robbins, 1938. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Work Projects Administration (69-ANP-1-2329-214) http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/picturing_the_century/galleries/greatdep.html

 

Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a speech in New Albany, IN, during the 1932 Presidential campaign.

Franklin D. Roosevelt delivers a speech in New Albany, IN, during the 1932 Presidential campaign. Credit: Franklin D. Roosevelt Library. http://bill.ballpaul.net/iaph/main.php?g2_itemId=1105

 

'Bonus Marchers' and police battle in Washington, DC.

"Bonus Marchers" and police battle in Washington, DC. The marchers came to Washington, DC, to demand their veterans "bonus" payment early from Congress. After several months of camping near the Anacostia River and after several confrontations with police, federal troops drove the marchers from the city. By an unknown Associated Press photographer, July 1932. National Archives and Records Administration, Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer (111-SC-97560) http://www.archives.gov/exhibit_hall/picturing_the_century/galleries/greatdep.html

 

Map of the Presidential Election of 1932.

Map of the Presidential Election of 1932. Credit: Department of the Interior http://bill.ballpaul.net/iaph/main.php?g2_itemId=1108

 

Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and crowd on the grounds of the east front of the U.S. Capitol, during the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933.

Aerial view of U.S. Capitol and crowd on the grounds of the east front of the U.S. Capitol, during the inauguration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, March 4, 1933. Created/published [1933 March 4]. Photograph from Architect of the Capitol, AOC no. 18244. Library of Congress reproduction number: LC-USA7-18244 DLCDigital ID: (original) ppmsc 02894.

 

Inauguration of President Franklin Roosevelt.

Inauguration of President Franklin Roosevelt. Created/published [1933 March 4]. Roosevelt delivering his inaugural address on the east portico of the U.S. Capitol, March 4, 1933. Library of Congress reproduction number: LC-USZ62-18168 DLC (b&w film copy neg.); Digital ID: (original) ppmsc 02896.