Final answer:
During the Great Depression, ordinary Americans faced financial hardships and resorted to Social Security and living in makeshift shantytowns.
Step-by-step explanation:
During the Great Depression, ordinary Americans experienced significant financial hardships and had to take various measures to survive.
Many applied for Social Security, a government program that provides financial assistance to retired workers. However, it is important to note that Social Security was not introduced until 1935, towards the end of the Great Depression.
Due to financial constraints, buying automobiles and stocks were not common among ordinary Americans during this time. Instead, many were forced to live in makeshift shantytowns known as Hoovervilles, which were named after President Herbert Hoover, who was blamed for the economic crisis.
Learn more about What ordinary Americans did during the Great Depression