Oral+History+Q&A


 * ORAL HISTORY QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES

Oral History Canidate: Walter Knapick (Grandfather) Topic: The Great Depression **

//"There were eight children in the family, my mother died when I was three years old-so the older children helped raise the younger children. The economic situation was very bad in the "30's" in WWI. I understood the "20's" were booming, work was plentiful, food was abundant-you could build a house new for $3,000. "//
 * How would you describe your family's lifestyle/economic situation in the 1930s? Was it different from the roaring 20s?**

//"There was a working Construction Camp called the WPA- the pay was $1.00 a day. When we bought groceries, we would charge them at a "Mom and Pop" corner store, Dad would pay $5.00 a month toward the bill. Food was rationed, you got so much food according to how many people were in the family. No more no less."//
 * Are there any events that you remember most about the Great Depression?**

//"The view of my father was like every person who was poor like him. You didn't think about the future because there was no today-meaning; you lived for today only.//
 * What were your parents views regarding the economic situation of the United States in the 1930s?**

//"Yes, the people who didn't have jobs when the G.D. hit and couldn't get jobs during the G.D. When the banks closed-the money people had before the G.D. was locked inside, the Federal Gov .t. took the money, people lost everything."//
 * Was anyone in your community more affected by The Great Depression than others? If so, why is this?**

//"Radio was a large media people depended on, as well as newspapers. In the evenings after diner families would gather around the radio to listen to the news-some of the great reporters of that time in history were; Mike Wallace, Gabrial Heater, Mike Reynalds, and Paul Harvey."//
 * What role did the media play in the Great Depression?**

//"No one had any money to relocate and if you did, conditions were the same everywhere in the United States."//
 * Did anyone you know move away from your community in hopes of a better opportunity?**

//"Almost everyday, students didn't attend school regularly because families didn't have money for clothing, boots, and heavy winter outerwear. Also, transportation was non-existent."//
 * How often was The Great Depression addressed in school in the 1930s?**

//"My dad worked in a war factory part time-full time. We chopped wood for the heating stove, walked along the railroad tracks pickedup coal the train spilled out which was used in the cooking stove. My older sisters made homemade bread, lots of soup, mended holes in our clothes, cut our hair, made-up games to play and went to church."//
 * How was your family supported during this harsh economic time?**

//"Most Americans were behind the President, Franklin Roosevelt. Families gave their children to fight in foreign lands. Most young men were drafted, very few were enlisted. Men had to register at age 18 so the government knew how many men they could depend on."//
 * How did you and your family feel regarding American involvement in World War II?**

//"Some positive things came after the G.D. Such as, In the Mid 1930's Social Security was instituted also, the Gov. established an agency to guarantee money in tthe banking system."//
 * Were there any positive benefits of The Great Depression in your opinion? Why, why not?**