1.
During the Great Depression, the plummeting prices of agricultural goods, particularly cotton, severely impacted the livelihoods of Arkansas farmers.
2.
Many Arkansas families became destitute during the Great Depression, losing their homes and farms due to economic collapse.
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The Dust Bowl drought in the 1930s further devastated Arkansas farmland, exacerbating the economic hardships already caused by the Great Depression.
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New Deal programs aimed to alleviate widespread poverty and unemployment in Arkansas by creating jobs and providing financial relief.
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The New Deal’s multifaceted approach addressed a range of issues, from unemployment to infrastructure development, in an effort to combat the effects of the Great Depression.
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Conservation Corps The Civilian Conservation Corps provided employment for young men in Arkansas, focusing on conservation projects like planting trees and improving public lands.
7.
Art Project The Federal Art Project employed artists in Arkansas to create public murals and other artworks, boosting morale during the Great Depression.
8.
Progress Administration The Works Progress Administration provided jobs to thousands of Arkansans, building schools, roads, and other infrastructure across the state.
9.
Deal The New Deal was a series of programs and reforms introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the economic devastation of the Great Depression, including numerous projects in Arkansas.
10.
Protectionism policies, such as the Smoot-Hawley Tariff, reduced foreign demand for U.S. crops, harming Arkansas farmers during the Great Depression.
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Soup Agencies The New Deal's "Alphabet Soup agencies," like the WPA and CCC, created jobs for thousands of unemployed Arkansans during the Great Depression.
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Youth Administration The National Youth Administration provided part-time jobs to young people in Arkansas, helping them continue their education while earning income.
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Works Administration The Public Works Administration funded large-scale construction projects in Arkansas, improving infrastructure and providing jobs.
14.
Joseph Taylor Robinson Senator Joseph Taylor Robinson of Arkansas played a crucial role in advocating for New Deal legislation, helping secure vital relief for the state.
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Hattie Wyatt Caraway Senator Hattie Wyatt Caraway, the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate, supported New Deal initiatives that benefited rural communities in Arkansas.
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New Deal programs in Arkansas focused on building infrastructure such as roads, bridges, and public buildings, creating jobs and modernizing the state.
17.
Shantytowns known as "hoovervilles" sprang up in Arkansas during the Great Depression, where the homeless and destitute built makeshift homes from scrap materials.