1930s

A synopsis of the history of the 1930's

It was the time of the Great Depression, the beginnings of world tensions that led to World War II in the following decade and a time of economic and political turmoil that created misery and poverty for millions around the world.  It was also a time when children were born and began the first years that would define their lives.

The decade of the 1930's also included weather disasters that created stress for America, like the drought in the Plain states that stretched for miles, impacting negatively the production of food and availability of water.

These problems brought about safety nets President Roosevelt initiated for those in need of social and economic help. 

The 1930's was also a time when some great movies were introduced, like Gone with the Wind and The Wizard of Oz, that are classics that remain with us today.  And the great dance bands and their leaders like Benny Goodman and Fletch Henderson carried folks musically through the decade and beyond.

And even though many people were poor, most had radios; and radio was free. People turned on those radios to learn about world events.  Still much of the world kept to itself, i.e. the every day person was more concerned about his or her survival in difficult times, the family and the local community.  

By the end of the decade sections of Europe were embroiled in war, Japan was initiating a program for conquering others, and in many ways everyone was poised for a world at war in the following decade.

Still everyday life continued to have its twists and turns, its laughs, its foibles and successes in a decade where there was change that brought ups and downs as well.  This was a ten-year period when being a child might seem like too much of a struggle, yet there is always a time for children to be the innocents they are everywhere.  And this is how one of us spent the decade, as a very small child, therefore with far fewer memories than others might have. Yet in those memories some of the 1930's character can be found, thus part of our human history as well.

A car in the basement