Social Security – II

Lead: During the Great Depression various attempts were made to address the question of widespread poverty, some serious, but some of them were outlandish political manipulation.

                 Intro.: A Moment in Time with Dan Roberts.

                 Content: With the coming of industrial society, the growth of urban population, the shrinking of family size and the retreat of religious and fraternal organizations from active poor relief, people gradually began to turn to the state for assistance. Yet, there was powerful political and emotional resistance to state intervention. Many people felt that times would get better, that hard work and self-reliance were the solution to poverty. President Herbert Hoover suggested that voluntary partnerships of government, business and private giving would provide all the relief needed. As the economy worsened, however, demands for national social action began to drown out the reluctance born of religion, prejudice and corporate self-interest.