We determined that "poverty" is the word to use when describing a lack of funds, support, and possessions, although "poorness" is a reasonable assumption and in some ways a descriptive word. E. asked, "Is it called the Depression because those years left an imprint on America?"
Today we looked at FDR's inaugural speech, which includes the lines "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself;" we discussed Roosevelt's administration and the active role he gave government in shepherding the country through the Depression, the Dust Bowl, and the coming of world war.
E. said that in FDR's speeches and radio addresses he often seemed to be saying, "I've been through a lot myself, so I know: help people and stop worrying about yourself so much. Look around and see what we need to fix. If you fear, then fear will prevent us from making changes. We must stay together, work together, and take action."
We also looked at DeWitt Clinton's High School Literary Magazine to study some student voices from the 1930s. The illustration pictured above, from that publication, is by Augustus Hodges, 1932.
