Alabama and the Great Depression
The Great Depression was a very hard time for people all across the United States. It began in 1929 when the stock market crashed and businesses started to fail. Many people lost their jobs, their homes, and their savings. Alabama families felt the effects of the Great Depression in many ways.
Hard Times in Alabama
In Alabama, many people worked as farmers or in factories. When prices for crops and goods fell, farmers could not make enough money to pay their bills. Many became tenant farmers, renting land and giving part of their crops to the landowners. Even with long hours of work, it was hard to make a living.
In towns and cities, many workers lost their factory jobs. Families had little money to buy food or clothing. Some people had to move into small shelters called Hoovervilles or stand in long lines at soup kitchens to get a meal.
Labor Tensions and Strikes
As times grew harder, workers in Alabama tried to stand up for their rights. Many joined labor unions to fight for better pay and working conditions. In 1934, workers in Alabama and other states took part in the General Textile Strike. Thousands of workers left their jobs and marched to demand fair treatment.
Farmers also organized. The Alabama Sharecroppers’ Union was formed to help tenant farmers and sharecroppers speak up for themselves. They worked together to ask for fairer treatment and better pay from landowners. These efforts were not always safe; some people were threatened or hurt for trying to organize.
Helping Each Other
Even in hard times, many Alabama families found ways to help one another. Neighbors shared food, tools, and supplies. Churches and local groups helped people find shelter or meals. Families planted gardens to grow their own food.
Across the country, the government created new programs to try to help people during the Great Depression. In Alabama, some people were able to get jobs building roads, schools, and parks through these programs.
A Time of Change
The Great Depression was a difficult time, but it also showed how strong communities could be. Alabama workers and farmers worked together to try to make life fairer. Their actions helped bring attention to the struggles of working people and led to changes in the future.