The History of Hoovervilles and Government Camps - 1276 Words

Place yourself in 1929, it is the beginning of the Great Depression and thousands of people are migrating to California and throughout the United States in search of a position in work. Many citizens will end up in Hoovervilles and Weedpatch Camps. Weedpatch camps provided a more sanitary and secure shelter than Hoovervilles. Also, Weedpatch camps were sustained by the government while Hoovervilles were supported by only the individual that traveled to provide for their families. Although, there are many differences and similarities between Hoovervilles and Government camps. During the Great Depression millions of families lost their jobs, homes, and depleted their savings in both urban and rural areas. In 1930, 15 million people became†¦show more content†¦Also, Hoovervilles had highly diverse populations which were mostly Scandinavians. The social atmosphere is very relaxed and Donald Francis Roy, a sociology student from University of Washington, notes, â€Å"an ethnic r ainbow where men of many colors intermingled in shabby camaraderie.† (Now Then – Seattle’s Hoovervilles during the Great Depression, Roy) There was a 29% nonwhite population which includes: 120 Filipinos, 29 African Americans, 25 Mexicans, four Native Americans, four South Americans and two Japanese. Although, the Hoovervilles has a great ethic relationship women and children were not allowed to live in Hooverville camps. These camps could contain a spokesperson and sometimes an unofficial mayor to make sure they were stay in harmony with the government. The only reason why these camps ran for as long as a decade was because they were funded by private donations and was a free-standing community until 1936 when it was destroyed. During the 1930s, the police would burn down the Hoovervilles but were rebuilt by the residents each time. In 1932 the UCL gained a tolerance to the Hoovervilles. By 1939, the Hoovervilles had to be shut down due to wartime prosperity and shipbuilding expansion for World War II. The Shack Elimination Committee sent out a notification in April to tell the people they had to leave by May 1. The government used MacArthur’s troops to burn the Hoovervilles and drive the people out using tear gas. Due to the end of Hooverville campsShow MoreRelatedEssay about The Grapes of Wrath - Lifestyle in the 1930s1164 Words   |  5 Pagesovercrowded camps that are full of starving migrants. Work is almost impossible to find or pays such a small salary that the whole family cannot earn enough money for food. While staying in a camp known as a ?Hooverville,? Tom and several men get into an intense argument with a deputy sheriff over whether workers should organize into a union. After that, Tom knocks the sheriff unconscious, but Jim Casy is arrested. Police officers announce their intention to burn the Hooverville. A government-run camp provesRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By Tom Joad Essay1004 Words   |  5 Pageshold a gre at deal of the mood of the 1930’s. The Americans of this time period were going through a huge economic depression. Most people were out of work and extremely poor. Food was scarce and homes were even harder to find. Many people lived in Hoovervilles made of tarp and tin. This book goes through the life of one family through their troubles. Although the family is made up, this would represent the untold struggles of thousands of American families. Tom Joad, recently released from prison makesRead MoreEssay on Greed In The Great Gatsby and The Grapes of Wrath935 Words   |  4 Pagesthe family’s best friends, John Casy, only to have Casy die and Tom nearly arrested again for murder. Also, the family shows greed by constantly moving in search of new jobs. As the family leaves the government camp, Tom, Pa and Al all have jobs, yet Ma wants even more money even though the camp supplies entertainment and, to an extent, food. However, the family wants more in their pocket, and so they leave that land of plenty into a dangerous, unknown land of hatred, fear, and anger and pay inRead MoreThe Worst Effects Of The Depression Essay1058 Words   |  5 Pagesthe Depression lived in place that were called Hoovervilles. The name â€Å"Hooverville† was given to them because it was named after the president at the beginning of the depression, Herbert Hoover. The camps were named after him because they thought the presid ent was not doing enough to help the people thought that he was not doing what he should to try and stop the depression. The horrible affects of the depression lasted longer because the government was uninvolved. In 1933, a new president cameRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath By John Steinbeck1064 Words   |  5 PagesThe Grapes of Wrath, originated from a John Steinbeck’s book, a legendary film that focus on a major point of American history. The story follows the Joad family on their journey to California trying to survive the hardships. This film, focus on the social problems of America like the Dust bowl, The Great Depression, and industrialism. The Grapes of Wrath was filmed in a journalistic-documentary style, which displayed the realism of the epidemic in the thirties. The thirties the period The GrapesRead MoreThe Grapes Of Wrath : The Great Depression1748 Words   |  7 Pages especially those in California, and when they arrived they were stuck living in cardboard box es in filthy camps (Schleeter). These squalid camps of thousands were called â€Å"Hoovervilles†, and the Joad family spent a fair amount of time in one (Marchand). Steinbeck depicted the horror these camps so fantastically, that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt called to reform laws governing migrant camps (Schleeter). Those in poverty could only rely on one another, Ma Joad describes this beautifully in sayingRead More The Harvest Gypsies, by John Steinbeck Essay1727 Words   |  7 Pages A major drought, over-cultivation, and a country suffering from one of the greatest depressions in history are all it took to displace hundreds of thousands of Midwesterners and send them, and everything they had, out west. The Dust Bowl ruined crops all across the Great Plains region, crops that people depended on for survival. When no food could be grown and no money could be made, entire families, sometimes up to 8 people or more, packed up everything they had and began the journey to Cali forniaRead MoreFranklin D. Roosevelts Impact on the Great Depression Essay1032 Words   |  5 Pagesthe deepest economic recession in the history of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt took office and did everything in his power to try and turn the country around. Roosevelt was a very intelligent man and the country believed he would lead them out of the Great Depression (Brinkley). Roosevelt inspired the nation to make drastic changes during the Great Depression with his extensive knowledge, understanding of the peoples suffering, and new government reforms. Roosevelt was raised in aRead MoreThe Most Important Event That Caused The Great Depression Essay987 Words   |  4 Pagesworst depression for roughly 10 years after a tragic Tuesday in 1929. The roaring 20’s was abruptly halted as millions of people across the country lost everything they owned in just a single short day. Black Tuesday, as this day is referred to in history, was the day that triggered the Great Depression and caused one of the worst economic collapses ever seen (Lecture Notes, March 30, 2016). Tuesday October 29, 1929 will be a day etched in people’s minds forever. Since this day’s aftermath causedRead MoreGrapes of Wrath Essay4878 Words   |  20 Pagesas protects them. Jim Casey: He represents religion, since he I s known to come from a religious background. b) How is this theme developed at the Weed patch camp? The theme is developed, because throughout the entire camp there were workers who had no knowledge of their rights. This camp however gave the workers something to hold onto knowing that unity was important to their success as a whole. If they were able to unite as a whole, they would be able to fight off