Life in the Depression was a struggle. By 1932 many Americans had been forced to leave their homes on which they could no longer afford to pay the rent. Some of these people were fortunate to have relatives who let them move in. But others had to live on the streets or in shantytowns on the outskirts of the cities. These were called 'Hovervilles' named after the President, Herbert Hoover. To most Americans, Hoover seemed to just watch things get worse. The Wall Street crash heightened problems. Banking systems and America's international trade went bust, making the US last longest in Depression.

Unemployment was a big problem. By 1932, the number of unemployed was 12,660,000, making the unemployed as a percentage of the labour force of 23.6%. This hit blacks harder than whites. The USA had no national system of relief against poverty. Many relied on charity such as tax cuts and soup kitchens. Many sought help from friends, relatives, and neighbourhood stores to avoid humiliation. Those less fortunate lived like animals and ate animal food or anything they could lay their hands on.