Social and economic conditions in Jackson County during the depression

Social and economic conditions in Jackson County during the depression

Jackson County (N.C.) -- Economic conditions

Jackson County (N.C.) -- Social conditions

Ahlin, Bjorn

1971

Little, Robert D.

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61774

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The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the effect of the Great Depression of the 1930's on social and economic conditions in Jackson County. The scope included industry, retail business, agriculture, and education, together with resulting changes in the way of life of individuals. Investigation of economic conditions was carried out mainly by personal interviews with persons associated with the paper industry, lumbering, and agriculture. Information regarding social conditions was also accumulated by interviewing persons who were between the ages of twelve and thirty-five during the period. Interviewing was supplemented by a thorough examination of the files of The Ruralite for the years 1929 through 1935 and The Jackson County Journal for the years 1929-1930 and 1936-1938.The study has revealed that Jackson County was not as distressed as either more industrialized areas agricultural areas dependent on staple, crops. The citizens were able to ease the depression conditions by becoming even more economically self-sufficient. Social welfare activities played a significant but less important role than elsewhere. The Depression was, however, responsible for the demise of large scale lumbering operations, the bankruptcy of one large financial institution, and the closing of the only private church-supported school in Jackson County. An ameliorating factor was the opening and expansion of a large paper manufacturing facility. The Depression had no effect on moral conditions that this investigation could determine, and the social and religious life, of the average individual continued with little change.

2014-04-28

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