...Introduction The year is 1930, during the Great Depression. Some of the main reasons why the Depression is so very important, is because without this, we might not have had the incentive to work so hard to make things better afterward. The society of America is amazing, the people that put forth the time and the effort to make a nation thrive, ought to be remembered proudly and courageously. The Great Depression was a time of sadness for our nation, a pedestal, that stood in our way of greatness. Great Depression Causes It started out as people were being run out of jobs, forced to feed their families off of the streets, with only the kindest hearts. This was labeled the Stock Market Crash, which would prove to be a tremendous factor...
Words: 2249 - Pages: 9
...You can tell by its name that this time period wasn’t a good one, the economy was trash just like the lives of migrant workers. It is no wonder that this time is now known as the Great Depression. The Great Depression took place during the late 1920’s /early 1930’s. The Great Depression was caused by the the Stock Market Crash of 1929 as well as the Dust Bowl. The Dust Bowl was a major sandstorm due to severe drought which lasted 9 years! The Dust Bowl stretched across Oklahoma, Kansas, Colorado, New Mexico and even Texas. Without water and crops, farms would dry up allowing the wind to pick up all of the sand and soil. This caused food to become scarce and much more expensive. It is clear that raising a family in these conditions was nearly...
Words: 415 - Pages: 2
...The Okies/Migrants The Dust Bowl was a time of hard work, sacrifice, and most of all: sadness. The Dust Bowl occurred in the 1930's and was a time of great depression when droughts had struck the Great Plains in America. These droughts dramatically effected farmers in Oklahoma and Texas, and other neighboring areas, and eventually lead to farmers being forced off of their land in search of work in the West (“History”). These farmers who migrated to the West were formally known as “Okies”, a nickname given to them by Californians. Therefore, the Okies played a significant role during the dust bowl due to the incredible amounts of people who migrated to places, such as California, the hardships they experienced during the Dust Bowl era, and the long journey it took to find work in the West. Certainly, Okies experienced the most heartache and difficulties during the period of the severe droughts that struck America. Something that really catches the eye...
Words: 1347 - Pages: 6
...Cook HUMN305-Q3FF Professor: Barry Adams An Overview of Migration / Immigration in Saudi Arabia 1970’s - Today Although foreign workers have been a presence in the Saudi labor force since the beginnings of the oil boom in the 1930’s, large inflows of migrant workers began to flow into Saudi Arabia in the late 1970’s during the “oil crunch”. Saudi development of its infrastructure demanded both skilled and unskilled labor. Employers, finding it difficult to meet the labor demands with the local populace began to bring in workers from Southern Asia. “Migration of Asian workers was especially encouraged as it was thought that, compared to Arab foreign workers, they would be less likely to settle, less likely to organize, and hence more easy to control.” (Pakkiasamy, Divya; Migration Policy Institute, 2004) Saudi Arabia has nearly seven million migrant workers helping to build and maintain it’s infrastructure. Involuntary Servitude of Foreign Workers The treatment of migrant workers is widely overlooked by the international community. According to reports from many workers inside Saudi companies, foreign employees are “overworked, dehumanized and denied many basic rights” (Mekay, 2007) Many migrant workers enter Saudi Arabia on a service visa sponsored by a Saudi-based company or individual. These work visa’s are being held over the heads of the migrant workers by their sponsors in many cases. To complain about working conditions is to put your work visa at risk...
Words: 1290 - Pages: 6
...New Testament. However, the whole book can be seen as a Biblical allusion to the story of the Exodus and the life of Moses. Not only does the story of the fictional Joad family relate to the Exodus, but the story of the Okies and the great migration that took place during the Dust Bowl in the 1930’s. This compelling story of the migrants can be divided into three parts: the oppression, the exodus, and the Promised Land. The chronicle of the Exodus begins with the Hebrews being enslaved to the Egyptians. Because of this, God sent ten plagues to Egypt. After the tenth plague, the pharaoh agreed to let the Hebrews become free and their journey across the desert is known as the Exodus. Thus the modern word exodus refers to any mass migration or departure of a large group of people. The excursion of the migrant workers can be described as a modern day exodus (compared to time-period of the Biblical story). Like the Hebrews, the Joad family and the rest of the migrants end up fleeing from their oppressors, which happens to be the banks. The period of time when the Okies use Route 66 as a way to move cross-country is the true exodus of the story, as it is a migration of a people. The migrants reaching California can be compared to the Hebrews finally reaching the Promised Land of Israel. Not only does the book relate to the movement of the Israelites, but also to the legendary man who lead them: Moses. Christians, Jews, and Muslims consider Moses a great prophet. One reference to Moses...
Words: 415 - Pages: 2
...Prior to writing the book, Steinbeck took a “four week journey from Bakersfield to Needles in which he lived and worked with Depression migrants.”(Reuben, Paul P) During World War I, wheat prices were high so most farmers plowed the grassland and planted dry land wheat as “bushel of wheat sold for $1 in 1929.”(The Farmers Plight) Because of over production, wheat dropped to “$.30 cents in 1932” and farmers were not prepared for the phenomenon of the Dust Bowl. (The Farmers Plight) Steinbeck’s novel begins by detailing the dust bowl that hit Oklahoma, "Houses were shut tight, and cloth wedged around doors and windows, but the dust came in so thinly that it could not be seen in the air, and it settled like pollen on the chairs and tables, on the dishes."(Steinbeck pg. 3) Drought and soil erosion brought on by over farming turned the agricultural land of the Great Plains into a giant dust bowl during the 1930’s. The once rich grassland turned into a giant dust bowl during the 1930’s “due to drought and soil erosion brought on by over farming” (Divine, APP). Herman Goertzen, a Midwestern farmer experienced one of the most devastating storms first hand, “It was like a black wall that went over that area, south of us, there. It went through and it was just like shutting a barn door.”(Goetzen) He states, “The iron guard bit into the house corner, crumbled the wall and wrenched the little house from its foundations so that it fell sideways, crushed like a...
Words: 738 - Pages: 3
...the emergence of the great depression. 3. Herbert Hoover- 31st president of the u’s: in 1929 the stock market crashed and the economy collapsed and Hoover was defeated for reelection by FDR. 4. Great depression- the economic crisis and period of low business activity in the u’s and other countries, roughly beginning with the stock market crash in October, 1929, and continuing through most of the 1930’s. 5. Hawley-smooth tariff- raised import duties to protect American businesses and farmer, adding considerable strain to the international economic climate of the Great Depression. 6. Okies- a migrant agricultural worker from Oklahoma who had been forced to leave during the depression of the 1930’s. 7. Breadline- a group of needy persons waiting in the line for free food to be distributed by a government agency or charitable organization. 8. Hooverville- a shantytown built by unemployed and destitute people during the depression of the early 1930’s. 9. Dust bowl- An area of Oklahoma, Kansas, and northern Texas affected by severe sell erosion caused by windstorms in the early 1930s, which obliged many people to move. 10. migration-movement from one part of something to another. 11. Bonus Army- was the popular name of assemblage of some 43,000 marchers-17,000 ww1 veterans, their families, and affiliated groups. 12. Reconstruction finance corporation-RFC was a government corporation in the United States that berated between 1932 and last which provided financial support to...
Words: 671 - Pages: 3
...In the 1930’s, the Great Plains Region was devastated by drought, and at a time when America was already depression ridden. The harse agricultural decline extended the Depression which was felt worldwide. There were many causes for the Dust Bowl, which had profound social, economical, and agricultural impact on America. The Dust Bowl stretched over 50 million acres from western Kansas to eastern Nevada. “The drought is the worst ever in United States history, covering more than 75 percent of the country and affecting 27 states severely” (The Dust 2). “The Dust Bowl resulted from unusually prolonged dryness and heat, coupled with a surge in farming on suboptimal land, using techniques based on a poor understanding of soil ecology.” (Richards 3) In essence, the...
Words: 905 - Pages: 4
...Throughout the 1930’s and the depression era the American dream was heavily desired. In “Of Mice and Men”, we can see how Lennie and George are determined to fulfill their dreams of owning their own farm. Steinbeck introduces the idea that the American dream might not have been possible. The American Dream can be difficult to describe as it is different for everyone. Since it is the American “dream”, it might not have been attainable in this depression era. The most important dream in this novel is that of Lennie and George, two poor and homeless migrant workers. Throughout the novel, Lennie is intrigued by George’s stories of their own little place. It is ironic how Lennie and his mental disabilities cause him to forget almost everything anybody says to him, yet he is able to remember every single detail stated in George’s stories. George even points this out when he asks Lennie why he doesn’t just tell the story since he knows every part of it. George and Lennie get potential help from Candy , an old swamper, when he says that he wants to be part of this farm and that he has money save up in the bank. With Candy contributing, George realizes that this dream might even be possible. George and Lennie are not the only characters that have a dream. Curly’s wife has a dream of becoming an actress in Hollywood. This dream was derived when she was a kid but once she married Curly this dream vanished. She became basically a prisoner of her own home devoid of social contact. The...
Words: 431 - Pages: 2
...George Protagonist who is a small, quick man with well defined features Bright enough to know he isn’t especially intelligent Migrant worker who dreams of one day buying his own place and becoming his own boss Lennie is his only hindrance Most of his energy is devoted to Lennie , which shows a kind and caring side to George which can be verbally aggressive at times. Personality which reflects both anger and understanding The brains and the thinker of the pair Gives Lennie advice and belief in future re Ranch Rational and thoughtful Companion, friend and conscientious minder of Lennie He would be lonely without Lennie Foresees a practical dream Independent ,has a duty to Lennie In charge Dominant – can control Lennie by firm but calm instructions At end of novel – moral dilemma – kills Lennie as a last act of friendship Lennie Source of the novels conflict Enormous, ungainly, mentally slow – child’s outlook Georges polar opposite, both mentally and physically His ignorance, innocence and helplessness, his childish actions such as his desire to pet soft things, contrast his physical bulk, making him likeable to readers Tirelessly devoted and emotionally dependant on George Desires more of a childish dream of tending to the rabbits Relies on George to fuel his hope and save him from trouble Lumbering Shapeless Described as an animal – “lumbers like a bear” Actions described like a dog Personality like that of a child Innocent Mentally...
Words: 408 - Pages: 2
...strive for a better life has been indisputably the gap among developed and undeveloped countries for decades. However, hard work does not seem to be the key factor to achieve happiness and/or a better life. Then, what does? During the beginning of the 1980’s decade, Mexico among other Latin-American countries started to adopt Structural Adjustment Programs (SAP) sponsored by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank (WB) in response to the neo-liberal ideology that was starting to spread around the world as the avenue for global well-being. The World Health Organization states that Structural Adjustment Programs: “were economic policies for developing countries that have been promoted by the WB and IMF since the early 1980s by the provision of loans conditional on the adoption of such policies.” The economic policies promoted by the IMF and WB were meant to encourage the structural adjustment of an economy by, for example, removing excess government controls and promoting market competition as part of the neo-liberal agenda. As a result, the agricultural economic sector in Mexico and Latin-America was the most affected after the implementation of the SAP’s economic policies. This lead to a massive migration of workers from the countryside from different...
Words: 2135 - Pages: 9
...face when attempting to find a better life. When forced to leave their comfortable home, the Joads’ only option is to migrate to California. Striving to keep the family stable the Joads tragically transition from being an average family to being a stressed, decaying family. This deterioration results from being treated like emotionless slaves by the wealthy owners of large corporations. Steinbeck creates events in the literature that parallel the need to improve 1930‘s and 40’s treatment of migrant workers. Three situations that demonstrate the author’s protest for change include the demolishment of the Joad house, Granpa’s...
Words: 694 - Pages: 3
...BGCSE Coursework Question: 2 Study Sources C & D Explain the impact migrants had on social and economical development of The Bahamas in the twentieth century. (15 marks) Migration has always been in existence from the beginning of time. The Loyalist were the first who arrived to the Bahamas with their slaves in the late 1700's to our current date. There were many that migrated to The Bahamas such as; Chinese, Lebanese, Greeks, Haitians and the Jews. A single migrant may engage in three types of migration in his or her lifetime. These include, long stay residence short stay residence and return migration. The migration dynamic reflects the interplay of international, national and highly personal circumstances, Migration is a universal phenomenon. Millions of immigrants made The Bahamas their permanent residence, But how did these migrants impacted The Bahamas, socially and economically in the twentieth century. First I will be discussing the Chinese. The Chinese first began arriving in the late 19th century, but most immigrants arrived in the 1920's and quickly proved to be enterprising businessmen. According to (Gayle Saunders from-islanders in the steam), there were numerous that were skilled framers and they also contributed a lot to The Bahamas. There is where the Chinese who partnership and opened up their own restaurant. I can infer that Charles Chea and Henry Wong opened a Chinese restaurant on Bay Street which is still in operation today...
Words: 977 - Pages: 4
...Discrimination March 7, 2010 Ethnic groups came to the United States via migration as well as colonization. The Hispanic groups migrated to the United States back in the 1800’s. According to Public Broadcast System (2010), between 1850 and 1880 55,000 Mexican workers migrated to areas that had actually been Mexican soil but now was considered to be the United States. The Mexican workers were a vital job force for the economy; they worked for very low wages. Many of the Mexican workers also worked in situations that were considered in humane (Public Broadcast System, 2010). The Public Broadcast System (2010) website states that “between the period of 1942 and 1964, millions of Mexicans were imported into the U.S. as "braceros" under the Bracero Program to work temporarily on contract to United States growers and ranchers.” Prejudice dealings were among the many things that the Mexicans had to face. The working conditions alone could be considered a prejudice. Just because the workers were willing to work for a lower wage and forced to live and work in humane environments proved to be a form of discrimination. In the 1920’s there was a social prejudice against Mexicans, they were viewed as a threat to the health and morals to the rest of the society (National Park Service, 2004). In 1930 it was recommended that the classrooms be segregated between the Mexicans and the Americans. In fact, it was encouraged that the schools be segregated completely form one another (National...
Words: 731 - Pages: 3
...In English III the entire class got to read three different types of stories. All in the time frame of this Junior year of highschool. In this paper it will be talking about the society of each story and the society of today. Overall how society affects our lives in different ways. The time of each story has a big impact on the society times too. What was okay and what wasn’t okay. How people looked at each other. How society affected one another. The first story was called The Crucible. It was set in the 1692’s time period. The story was a lot about reputation, small town, everybody knows everybody. The second story was The Scarlet Letter. The Scarlet Letter was set in Middle of the seventeenth century time period. Set in Boston, Massachusetts. The third story was Of Mice and Men. In Of Mice and Men was set in the 1930’s. South of Soledad, California was the setting. Again with both of the last stories of The Scarlet Letter and Of Mice and Men everyone knew everyone. In The Crucible it is set in theocratic society. Theocratic means a type of government in which...
Words: 665 - Pages: 3
