Historical Myths

# 1

The Myth: Starvation in the Great Depression

While money was, indeed, scarce, most people were able to survive through resourcefulness and charity.

The depression meant hunger, malnutrition, overcrowding, and poor health. It gave rise to
widespread poverty and suffering. While virtually no one died from starvation, many did not
have enough to eat. People searched garbage dumps for food or ate weeds.

It is the resourcefulness that people learned during this time that helped to make rationing easier.

The replacement of a hands-off approach to the economy with a more regulated one by
President Roosevelt has been blamed by many for the current economic crisis.


( Listserve - J Frater )

it think roosevelt took the right approach. he did what was necessary for the times. key word - for the times. the practice should have been weened out as the times improved. there was never any welfare prior to the late 1930's. people not only survived, they trived. because you had to. the problem was socila programs not on;y continued, they grew and became a lifestyle