Hoovervilles: Understanding the Makeshift Settlements of the Great Depression

Shantytowns (Hoovervilles)

Shacks that the homeless built during the depression

Shantytowns, also known as Hoovervilles, were makeshift settlements that sprang up during the Great Depression in the United States during the 1930s. These shantytowns were erected by thousands of people who had lost their homes, jobs and savings during the economic collapse. Many people were forced to live in these camps due to a lack of affordable housing, and they were made up of tents or shacks built from scrap materials such as wood, cardboard, and scrap metal.

The name “Hoovervilles” was given to these shantytowns in reference to President Herbert Hoover, who was widely blamed for the country’s economic problems. The term was widely used to criticize the government’s inaction and lack of support for the homeless and unemployed during the Great Depression.

The shantytowns were often located on the outskirts of cities, close to railway lines or industrial areas, where people could search for work. Life in these camps was challenging and difficult as people had limited access to basic necessities such as food, water, and decent sanitation facilities. The conditions were unsanitary, and diseases were rampant in these camps.

In conclusion, shantytowns or Hoovervilles were makeshift settlements that emerged during the Great Depression in the United States. People who lost their jobs and homes due to the economic downturn were forced to live in these camps made up of tents or shacks built from scrap materials. The shantytowns were often located in undesirable locations, and they lacked access to basic necessities, making life incredibly challenging for the people who lived there.

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