Getting through the Great Depression was a harrowing challenge for the American and British people, and once they were through it the quality of life drastically improved. For one, going through such a traumatic experience gave them a greater appreciation for the good times that preceded them. The video above portrays a variety of these scenes, where both children and parents alike were happier as a result of getting through those tough times. In particular, an excerpt from 1:03-1:09 “Today, depression is a fading memory. Millions of men and women have found employment. And with it, confidence and hope.” shows how the working people were able to come back into good spirits after the troubles of the Great Depression.
While they saw an improvement in their emotional health, their financial security also improved drastically after the Great Depression. As a result of the great bank runs that worsened the effects of the Great Depression and left many people with no way to access their savings, the U.S. government created the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, also known as the FDIC, in order to ensure that another event like that could never happen again. The FDIC ensured the safety of the money deposited into any bank account up to a reasonable amount, which meant that after the Great Depression families did not have to worry about potentially losing access to their savings again, which reduced the stress many families felt, because even if something of a similar magnitude to the Great Depression would happen again, they would be able to fall back on their savings [3]
Ultimately, the Great Depression brought about an unprecedented time of financial and emotional hardship, with many people losing their jobs and being forced into situations of desperation just to get by. However, the situation also influenced them in positive ways, as it gave them the strength and the courage necessary to emerge victorious through this time as one unified nation. If nothing else, it is imperative that the people of today learn from their vigor and unity, as the times our country faces now are filled with uncertainty, and these traits will prove necessary in ensuring that if an event like the Great Depression does happen again, that the American people will be properly equipped to face it. The British people also faced their fair share of hardship, and while they did blame America for their issues, they also recovered from this event as well, and were better for it.