How the Great Depression Impacted U.S. Crime Rates & Social Change in the 1930s/1940s

SOCIAL CHANGE THROUGH THE DECADES The 1930s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSfzFWU5LbY) How Great Depression affected the U.S crime rate The Great Depression had negative impact on America’s economic stability triggering crime rates in a great manner. Basically, the Great Depression increased unemployment, poverty and desperation amongst Americans (3:04-9:02). Such hardships in most cases correlates with higher crime rates as people try to keep up with their basic demands thus resorting to desperate measures for survival like theft among other crimes of necessity. Economic desperation made many to struggle to make ends meet thus turning into crimes like theft, burglary and violent crimes. The social unrest due to limited support from the government led to protests, civil disobedience and strikes which in most cases resulted into riot among other forms of social unrest (18:20-19:50). Last but not least, the Great Depression had serious impact on mental health due to the stress and strains of the economic downturn triggering mental instability amongst citizens. Such a problem potentially contributed into higher crime rates. How recover programs started by Roosevelt in 1930s contributed too crime rate of the time and crime rate now It is open that Roosevelt started programs like the “New Deal” aimed at providing relief, recovery as well as reform the economic stability of the nation. Since the New Deal incorporated many programs like public works, social security and welfare, they helped significantly in alleviating some economic pressures which in a way lowered some crimes that were driven by economic desperation (38:34-40:50). It is also open that social security and national banking provided citizens with jobs positively impacting crime rates. Through job provision and support, the programs potentially lowered crime rates that were mostly associated with poverty and unemployment. These programs had a long lasting effect as they contributed to a more stable economic environment as well as a stronger social safety net. Such a change automatically has a lasting impact on crime rates as directly addressed the underlying social and economic factors that triggered and would trigger criminal behavior. Currently, the legacy of those programs still remains well reflected in the social safety net and welfare programs. However, as much as crime rates still fluctuates for differing reasons but the establishment of social programs has significantly helped in mitigating some of the extreme economic despair that can trigger crime rates during times of economic depression. 1940s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMWYblZ8gwQ) How men going out and committing heinous acts in defense of the country changed their definition of crime The 1940s remains well defined by the WW2 era. During this time, many men were forced into military services as they were facing situations that made them engage in combat. Such engagements lead these men to committing acts like killing enemy soldiers or civilians which under normal circumstance would be considered as crime (1:07-3:25). However, due to the pressures of the war, their perception towards crime changed. It is open that during war, any action like killing that would be perceived as crime during normalcy remains justified under the context of defending the nation or fulfillment of military duty. Such a justification changed those men perception towards crime defining their acts as necessary and heroic. They had to fight for their country and defend its economic stability thus viewing their brutal defense as moral and ethical (11: 25-14:48). Unfortunately, since most of them were not military or had no experience in militia code of ethics and principles, after war, most suffered as they struggled to readjust to civilian life. It is a post-war adjustment that would lead to mental instability associated with PSTD as well as serious difficulties in adapting to peacetime law and regulations. How change in women role during the war created conflict within the society Based on the clips, it is clear that when men le