Overview
Throughout the history of the United States, a segment of the population has always lived in poverty. From the beginnings of the colonial era, most immigrants traveled to what would become the United States in hopes of escaping poverty; however, treacherous conditions often defeated this goal. In addition to those who came willingly were millions of slaves forced to endure poverty with no opportunities for economic sufficiency, let alone prosperity. The advent of the Industrial Revolution and the abolition of slavery led to the migration and concentration of many workers in urban slums. From almshouses, the New Deal of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, and President Lyndon Baines Johnson's declaration of a "War on Poverty" to the recent reduction of social welfare programs and benefits, reactions to poverty have changed as the nature of poverty has changed. Understanding the history of poverty in the United States is fundamental to understanding the history of the country itself.Each chapter in Poverty in America, a volume in Facts On File's new American Experience series, begins with an essay that chronicles the experience of those living in poverty in the United States, as well as the reactions of charity and government workers, politicians, and many others. A chronology of events follows this essay. Each chapter closes with a section of excerpts-from such sources as speeches, journals, correspondence, and book passages. Included in this book are the words of Benjamin Franklin, Clara Barton, Barbara Ehrenreich, and countless others. An appendix of documents includes such primary source materials as the Emancipation Proclamation, the Social Security Act, andthe Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Also included are capsule biographies of 55 key figures, maps, graphs and tables, a glossary, notes, a bibliography, and an index. More than 90 black-and-white images illustrate the experience of poverty in the United States.
Synopsis
Throughout the history of the United States, a segment of the population has always lived in poverty. From the beginnings of the colonial era, most immigrants traveled to what would become the United States in hopes of escaping poverty; however, treacherous conditions often defeated this goal. In addition to those who came willingly were millions of slaves forced to endure poverty with no opportunities for economic sufficiency, let alone prosperity. The advent of the Industrial Revolution and the abolition of slavery led to the migration and concentration of many workers in urban slums. From almshouses, the New Deal of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration, and President Lyndon Baines Johnson's declaration of a "War on Poverty" to the recent reduction of social welfare programs and benefits, reactions to poverty have changed as the nature of poverty has changed. Understanding the history of poverty in the United States is fundamental to understanding the history of the country itself.
Each chapter in Poverty in America, a volume in Facts On File's new American Experience series, begins with an essay that chronicles the experience of those living in poverty in the United States, as well as the reactions of charity and government workers, politicians, and many others. A chronology of events follows this essay. Each chapter closes with a section of excerpts-from such sources as speeches, journals, correspondence, and book passages. Included in this book are the words of Benjamin Franklin, Clara Barton, Barbara Ehrenreich, and countless others. An appendix of documents includes such primary source materials as the Emancipation Proclamation, the Social Security Act, andthe Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. Also included are capsule biographies of 55 key figures, maps, graphs and tables, a glossary, notes, a bibliography, and an index. More than 90 black-and-white images illustrate the experience of poverty in the United States.