Final answer:
Americans were desperate during the Great Depression due to massive unemployment, bank failures wiping out life savings, and lack of government safety nets leading to widespread poverty, malnutrition, homelessness, and the emergence of shantytowns known as 'Hoovervilles.'
Step-by-step explanation:
During the most severe years of the Great Depression, specifically 1932 and 1933, Americans experienced profound hardship leading to widespread desperation. Several key factors contributed to the desperation of Americans during this time.
The collapse of banks not only erased life savings but also made those with money reluctant to spend or invest, further stalling the economy. High unemployment rates, where one-fourth to one-third of Americans were jobless, left many incapable of earning a livelihood. Malnutrition-related diseases resurfaced, and numerous families faced eviction, resulting in the creation of shantytowns known as "Hoovervilles."
Desperate measures were taken to survive, including cashing out insurance policies and borrowing money until nothing was left, resulting in further poverty and homelessness. By the end of 1932, in New York City alone, breadlines and soup kitchens served up to eighty-five thousand meals each day, and over fifty thousand citizens were homeless.
With little government support during the initial stages of the crisis, these dire conditions sparked a profound sense of despair and desperation. Families who could turn to no available aid were forced to rely on each other, intensifying financial instability within extended family networks.
The Great Depression left lingering effects on those who lived through it, influencing their behaviours related to saving and sharing, as well as strengthening community bonds. Despite harsh conditions, individuals often exhibited kindness towards one another, sharing scant resources and fortifying support systems within their communities.