The Great Depression 19301941

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The Great Depression 1930-1941

• Chapter 17, pages 360-376
• Texas History

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I. Introduction

• Fall 1929- stock market prices plunge
• October 29- Black Thursday- stock market crashes-
  nation plunged into depression
• As years pass- prices fall dramatically, business
  volume declines, unemployment rises, bankruptcies
  increase- 1933- Great Depression is felt all
  across country
• Hoover- local agencies should help people
• 1933- Roosevelt- New Deal- 3 Rs- relief,
  recovery, reform
• Full Recovery not felt until World War

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II. Hard Times in Texas

• 1933- 7.1 of families on relief
• 1934- 13 of families on relief
• Depression hits business and farms equally hard-
  oil- 60 cents to 5 cents a barrel, cotton- 18
  cents a pound to 5 cents a pound
• Prices were low, but few could afford to buy
• Families tried to take care of families
• Hitchhiking common- young people leave People
  sought shelter in abandoned buildings and boxes-
  Hoovervilles

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• Minorities hit hardest- last hired, first fired
• Schools cut off teachers, increased class size,
  and cut use of electricity
• Some demonstrations and some violence
• Outlaws caught headlines, Bonnie and Clyde

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III. Depression Politics- Ross Sterling
(1931-1933)

• Sterling attempts at controlling effects of
  depression did not work
• East Texas oil crisis- Sterling attempts to
  control situation in favor of major oil firms-
  loses support from people
• Decline in agricultural prices- cut number of
  acres planted- law declared unconstitutional
• AAA- federal Agricultural Adjustment Act- farmers
  paid not to plant

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IV. Fergusonism Returns- Ma Ferguson 1933-1935

• Ma wins a close election over Sterling
• Federal prohibition ends, but state prohibition
  begins- by county or local option
• Supports many New Deal reforms
• Legislature still mistrusted the Fergusons
• Ma does not run in 1934- Allred becomes governor

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V. Welfare, Economic Planning, and Reform- The
New Deal in Texas

• Welfare for states- Federal Emergency Relief
  Fund- Billions for welfare and job programs
• Reconstruction Finance Corporations- make work
  programs
• Civilian Conservation Corp- built state parks and
  city parks
• PWA- Public Work Administration- public
  buildings- libraries, highways
• Social Security Act- federal taxes for retirement

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VI. Industry, Transportation, Labor

• Most profitable plants- chemical, petrochemical
  and oil
• By 1939- 80 of Texas oil refined in state
• Railroad will decline in 1930s
• Automobile usage grows slowly during depression-
  road mileage tripled during 30s
• Labor union membership grows during time- CIO-
  organizes oil industry

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VII. Agriculture in Depression

• Hard times for farmers
• Decline in prices cost many farmers their land
• Agriculture relief- AAA- limit production to
  raise prices, credit to farmers
• Farm population moves to cities to find work
• Programs hurt tenant farmers and sharecroppers

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VIII. Conservation and Environmental Concerns

• Protection of environment a concern
• Conservation programs set up for soil, timber,
  water, and petroleum
• Soil erosion- state organizes soil conservation
  districts to help farmers learn about techniques
• Timber- plant a tree programs, state and federal
  govt. buys timber land, reforestation programs
• Water- River authorities created to help with
  saving water, flood control

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IX. Literature and the Arts in the Depression

• J. Frank Dobie- cowboys and cattle, folklore-
  Coronados Children
• Roy Bedichek- naturalist- Karankawa Country
• Walter Prescott Webb- historian- The Great Plains
  and The Texas Rangers
• Movies and Music- Tom Mix, Joan Crawford, Ginger
  Rogers, Gene Autry, Howard Hughes, Roy Rogers,
  Bob Wills

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X. The Politics of Recovery- James Allred
(1935-1939)

• Old-age pensions- states had to provide matching
  funds for aged, and those qualified
• Legislature approves program, but not funds
• Share the wealth advocates influenced voters
• Teacher retirement fund approved,
• Betting on horse racing stopped
• Centennial celebration- major- state fair in
  Dallas
• 3 million for monuments, battle markers

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X. W. Lee ODaniel 1939-1941

• Pappy ODaniel and the Light Crust Dough Boys
  flooded radio with advertisements
• Controversial figure- shrewd businessman,
  dedicated enemy of organized labor
• Performance left much to be desired- could not
  deliver campaign promises
• Legislature still does not raise taxes to meet
  needs of state

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• Influential Texans during depression
• John Nance Garner-VP-1932-1940
• Jesse Jones- chairman of RFC
• Sam Rayburn- Dem. Majority leader