A family in their home during the Great Depression in Alabama, 1935
The Great Depression was a major economic downturn in America that began in 1929 and ended around 1940. This time period yielded many inconveniences for American citizens. As many as a quarter of Americans lost both their jobs and their means of supporting themselves and their families.
Throughout most of the 1920s, the economy was believed to have benefited, when in reality, people put faith in money they thought they would have in the future, instead of realizing that they didn't have enough at the present time. This contributed to a "fake" economy. There was too much speculation (risky business transactions). This risky regard of money put citizens, companies, and banks into debt. When people were unable to pay for their possessions and their homes, they were forced to find a new lifestyle. Unfortunately, many adopted a vagabond lifestyle.
This site takes deep dive into the causes and effects and does so through the use of an innovative and interactive timeline that has never been seen in this format before.