Question

Which region of the country east or west of the Mississippi river was better off in 1934

Answer 1

it is generally agreed that the region west of the Mississippi River experienced more economic prosperity during the 1930s than the region to the east.

During the 1930s, the western states were benefiting from the expansion of the mining, agriculture, and manufacturing industries, which had a positive impact on the regional economy. In contrast, the eastern states were still feeling the effects of the Great Depression, which had hit the region particularly hard. Many eastern states saw high levels of unemployment and poverty, and there were numerous bank failures and business closures.

It is worth noting that these generalizations do not apply to all states within each region, and that there were pockets of prosperity and difficulty in both the eastern and western states during this time period.

Answer 2

In 1934, the east of the Mississippi River had prosperous agricultural areas with growing towns, while the South had wealth disparities and systematic oppression of enslaved people. The west faced economic challenges like high farmer bankruptcy rates and social struggles including exclusionary laws. The Midwest is notable for its equitable wealth distribution but also had its own issues.

Step-by-step explanation:

When considering whether the region east or west of the Mississippi River was better off in 1934, we must look at various economic and social factors. In 1934, areas east of the Mississippi, such as the Mid-Atlantic region, were characterized by fertile soils, prosperous small-scale agriculture, and a growing network of towns and cities. The South also had its prosperous areas due to industries such as cotton, but the distribution of wealth was highly uneven, and prosperity was not shared by all, especially not by the millions of enslaved people. On the other hand, those in the western region faced significant challenges such as high bankruptcy rates among farmers, high interest rates on loans, and frequent foreclosures leading to economic instability and an East-West divide in politics and finance.

Moreover, the westward expansion also brought with it social struggles, evident in the laws designed to exclude African Americans from full participation in society. While the Midwest is noted for its equitable wealth distribution and substantial middle-class population, indicated by a low Gini coefficient, it still faced challenges, although possibly not as severe as those in the west. Considering these complexities, it is evident that the conditions in 1934 cannot be viewed as uniformly better in one region compared to the other.