Impoverished Family of Nine during the Great Depression in New Mexico, August 1936

    Black and white photograph of a mother and two sons behind a truck filled with their possessions.
    Courtesy of Library of Congress, Lange, Dorothea, "Part of an impoverished family of nine on a New Mexico highway..." August 1936

    Description

    This photograph shows part of am impoverished family of nine on a New Mexico highway. This family was made up of Depression-era refugees from Iowa. The family left Iowa in 1932 because of the father's poor health. The father was an auto mechanic laborer, and the family had been on relief in Arizona but were desperate for money. They were about to sell their belongings and trailer to buy food. The family had refused entry on relief roles in Iowa. The mother was quoted by the photographer saying, "We don't want to go where we'll be a nuisance to anybody."

    Source-Dependent Questions

    • Using evidence from the photograph, describe the story the photographer was trying to capture about the Great Depression?
    • The mother of this family was quoted by the photographer saying, "We don't want to go where we'll be a nuisance to anybody." Consider this statement, what did that say about the expectations individuals had about relief provided by the government?

    Citation Information 

    Lange, Dorothea, "Part of an impoverished family of nine on a New Mexico highway. Depression refugees from Iowa. Left Iowa in 1932 because of father's ill health. Father an auto mechanic laborer, painter by trade, tubercular. Family has been on relief in Arizona but refused entry on relief roles in Iowa to which state they wish to return. Nine children including a sick four-month-old baby. No money at all. About to sell their belongings and trailer for money to buy food. "We don't want to go where we'll be a nuisance to anybody," August 1936. Courtesy of Library of Congress

    Close

    Navigation