The History of Hoovervilles and Government Camps
by Lillian Bonar
Essay: The History of Hoovervilles and Government Camps
Pages: 11
Rating: 3 stars
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Place yourself in 1929, it is the beginning of the Great Depression and thousands of people are migrating to
California and throughout the United States in search of a position in work. Many citizens will end up in
Hoovervilles and Weedpatch Camps. Weedpatch camps provided a more sanitary and secure shelter than
Hoovervilles. Also, Weedpatch camps were sustained by the government while Hoovervilles were supported by
only the individual that traveled to provide for their families. Although, there are many differences and similarities
between Hoovervilles and Government camps.
During the Great Depression millions of families lost their jobs, homes, and depleted their savings in both urban
and rural areas. In 1930, 15 million people became unemployed due to the Dust Bowl. Millions of families lost their
jobs, homes, and depleted their savings in both urban and rural areas. Out of the 15 million, 0ne million citizens
moved to California between 1935 and 1940 in search for work of work. This made the population increase from
1.3 million Americans to 5.7 million. For most Americans work was not the only issue families were faced with, but
also shelter. Between the early 1930s and 1932 families were squeezed in with relatives, the unit densities skyrocketed, and either defied eviction or found shelter in vacant buildings. Most could not even pay for normal rent
housing. This left people finding shelter under bridges, in courts, and vacant public lands where they began to
build their own shelter. Thus this is when Hoovervilles began and Government camps arrived soon after.
Hoovervilles were shanty towns and homeless encampments. They were built during the Great Depression era and
consisted of hundreds of homeless men. These camps w...