How many survived through the Great Depression?

Answer 1

In terms of Population, the vast majority survived. Many started their lives all over again as if they were recent New World immigrants without homes or farms. The classic case study of the depression in Sociology centers around what were called the "Okies".

First it is essential to dispel a few misunderstandings related to that pejorative but proud label:

1. They were not all from Oklahoma. The displaced were from Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico and Texas.
2. They did not all head for California. Many sought jobs in Florida, Illinois and New York.
3. They were not all hardscrabble dirt farmers who had lost the family farm to the bank because of the Dust Bowl. Many were unemployed store clerks, machinists, carpenters, plumbers, preachers, teachers and bank clerks. What they had in common was unemployment.
4. Not all traveled in a beat-up Ford piled with luggage and furniture. Many of them had sold the furniture and the Ford to put food on the table long before they were forced to leave their homes.

Collectively "Okies" were the sons and daughters of immigrants, sometimes but not always with limited educations, chronically in debt or at least on poverty's fringe. They all had seen opportunity pass them by and most but not all remained optimistic about the future. They continued to have the American dream and were willing to work to achieve it.

To cope with the Great Depression some sold apples on the street corner. A rare few became beggars or criminals. An even smaller number found a good jumping bridge. The vast majority tightened their belts, hoped for the best and became survivors.