Florida and the Great Depression

Discuss how the Great Depression Affected Florida such as unemployment and the number of banks failing.

The Great Depression was the greatest economic crisis in our nation's history. The total amount of goods and services produced by all Americans in a single year fell sharply. One quarter of the work force was unemployed. 

• Info found in the book, Chapter 11, pg. 256.

Discuss what the Governor of Florida David Scholtz do to help improve during the Great Depression.

Florida Governor of Florida David Scholtz declared a state bank holiday even before President Roosevelt announced a national one. New state banking regulations required greater solvency, higher reserve deposits, and more conservative lending practices. 

• Info found in the book, Chapter 11, pgs. 269 - 270.

Discuss how the Civilian Conservation Corps tried to assist in Florida during the Great Depression.

Between 1930 and 1939, the Civilian Conservation Corps employed 50,000 young men. They planted more than 13 million trees to develop the state's timber industry. The CCC also rebuilt the 100 - mile long Overseas Railroad connecting Key West and Miami. 

• Info found in the book, Chapter 11, pg. 270.

Discuss how the Works Progress Administration tried to assist in Florida during the Great Depression. 

The Works Progress Administration employed 40,000 Floridians. It was responsible for the construction of hundreds of public buildings, bridges, roads, hospitals, and parks in Florida. The WPA built more than 500 schools and playgrounds and emplyed almost 16,000 teachers. It also built seawalls to protect beaches, built dikes that reduced the threat of flooding and completed the US Highway 1. 

• Info found in the book, Chapter 11, pg. 270. 

Discuss what agencies were created in Florida to help out during the Great Explanation and explain what they did. 

In 1935, the Florida Legislature created the Florida Park Service and established its first four state parks: Myakka River State Park, Hillsborough River State Park, Torreya State Park and Gold Head Branch State Park.

The Florida Citrus Commission promoted the sale of states' citrus products through extensive advertising. 

• Info found in the book, Chapter 11. pg. 270.