What is a Hooverville?
A Hooverville is a term used to mock Herbert Hoover's failure in making America's economy strive. Everyone who lived in a Hooverville, or a shanty like town that help poor under, or unemployed people who had nothing to live in except a small shack or tent perhaps. Herbert Hoover believed in Laissez Faire which he believed would help make America prosper and everyone would take care of themselves without help from the government. Hoover stated in his reelection speech of 1932 against FDR: "I realize that in this time of distress many of our people are asking whether our social and economic system is incapable of providing security and comfort of life to all of its firesides" Hoover is addressing the fact that his people are living in poverty. but tries to change the topic to say how it is the "American System" to be independent and take care of yourself. In the end Hoover just gave all the people living in poverty a name to mock an the term "Hooverville" became true to reinforce the fact that president Hoover caused these towns to appear.
Hoovervilles Across the Nation
It was a very common sight to have Hoovervilles scattered cross the nation. With 50% of Americans unemployed or underemployed, along with the 50% of elderly citizens living in poverty, it was not uncommon for Hoovervilles to be a regular sight in most major cities. As the unemployment rose in America that meant that no one was able to afford a house any more; more and more Hoovervilles began to sprout up around the nation. Some parts of the country were completely unaffected by the Great Depression and lived normally, others such these big cities were completely baffled and distraught with the rising poverty levels. Most cities however were a mix between Hoovervilles and normal housing, but very few were unaffected. Not only did those who lived in Hoovervilles live in poverty with little to nothing to eat, and have no formal place to sleep, but also those who lived in such undesirable shanty towns were subject to disease and illness. Not having running water or means to bath themselves, individuals in Hoovervilles were very quick to spread disease, which in term killed many of the people living in them, on top of hunger and cold.