Question

How did black politicians, activists, wage workers, authors, and artists seek to address the specific problems that the depression and the New Deal posed for African Americans? What were the results of their efforts?

please explain in full details

Answer 1

Answer

• African Americans suffered greatly from the Great Depression that begins in the year 1929 and ends in the 1930s.
• Causes of the Great Depression

a) Stock Market crash of 1929

b) Bank Failures- Bank deposits were not insured and thus people lost their savings

c) Overproduction

d) Dust-bowl- Southern Plains region of the United States, which suffered severe dust storms during a dry period in the 1930s. People start migrated in search of food, shelter, and work.

• People started waiting in line for free soup, coffee, and doughnuts in Chicago, 1931. Their survival became difficult and they had no option but to accept low paying jobs.
• In the year 1932, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected and he announced “New Deal” for American People.
• The New Deal focused on the relief of the unemployed and recovery and reform of the Economy.
• Several New Deal initiatives were:   

a) The Agricultural Adjustment Act

b) The Work Progress Administration

c) The Social Security Act

d) The Fair Labor standard Acts

• St. Louis Urban League launched a national “jobs for Negroes” movement.

• Chain stores were boycotted

• Black supported Democratic Parties

• Great Migration from the rural South to the industrial areas of the North

  Results of their Efforts

• Acievement in mass protest of 381 days against the bus sytem of Montogomery

• The problem of unemployment solved to some extent

• Mary McLeod Bethune, became head of the Division of African-American Affairs within the National Youth Administration

• Economical housing for the middle class

• Finalcial system improved