Arkansas Between the Wars
By: Nat Smith
Post War Arkansas
Life after War
After WWI Arkansas was flourishing with advancements in technology creating electricity , the telephone, the automobile, and other inventions. These inventions made everyday life easier and more enjoyable for many people.
Innovation of Arkansas
One person who helped modernize Arkansas is Harvey Couch. He started bringing telephone lines to AR. His company became to grow and grow, with more than 1,500 miles of line and provided service across four states.
The Automobile
Another invention that really helped after war was the climber. The demand for automobiles was growing. The Climber Motor Corporation in Little Rock produced about 5 cars a day. They sold for about $2,250. The Model T Ford was $355. But, the car was definitely worth it. Each one has a strong durable frame, a collapsible top, leather seats, and came in several colors.
Oil Booms in Arkansas
Oil Discoveries
During the Roaring Twenties people encouraged a group called "wildcatters" who were to find underground oil reserves throughout the United States. The first big oil discovery in Arkansas happened near El Dorado.
Oil In El Dorado
Once word got out that there was an oil strike near El Dorado, people quickly rushed there in hopes of getting a steady job or striking rich. El Dorado was now home to about 30,000 residents and 59 oil companies.
Oil In Smackover
Smackover, a town about 12 miles northwest from El Dorado, was next to discover underground oil. The own grew from 131 residents to 25,000 in less than a year. Robbery, competition, and murder was taking place in this town.
Flood of 1927
A Catastrophic Flood
Despite the assurance that the new levees would prevent future flooding of the Mississippi River, one of the worst floods in the nation's history occurred. Arkansas took the most damage, the flooded land stretched inland about 50 miles from the Mississippi.
Arkansas Water Damage
Many counties were buried in water up to 30 feet deep. People and animals climbed up trees and got on the roof waiting to be rescued. In some areas, it took several months before the water levels dropped so farmers could plant their crops.
Red Cross
The Red Cross opened 50 camps to help feed, clothe, and house thousands of homeless people. But, people in the camps began to get sick. Many officials worried that dead animals and standing water would start an outbreak of disease.
Great Depression
Some say it started by the growing gap between the rich and the poor. Others presume American goods were being produced too quickly and people were unable to buy them. Many blame speculators, who bought stocks with borrowed money. Whatever the cause, the economy came to a halt in 1929 when the stock market crashed. Man people tried to withdraw their money from banks, companies closed, and thousands without jobs. Things soon became worse, when a drought hit Arkansas and most of the central United States. Ferocious winds dried up crops and turned fields into a dust bowls. People began to leave their farms and look for food and work. Some went west to find work. Others were to poor and had to survive on one meal a day, given by the Red Cross. To make it even worse, Arkansas was in deep debt!
A New President; A New Deal
Before Franklin D Roosevelt was elected president, he guaranteed the federal government would help those in need. Once the became president Roosevelt introduced a plan called the "New Deal." The objective of the plan was to create specific agencies and government programs to help feed those without food, provide work for the jobless, and build a healthy economy. These programs soon brought hope, jobs, and relief to people across the world. Some of the programs were...
Work Progress Administration
This program brought jobs to Arkansas. Dams, post offices, hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, and many other important structures were across the state. They also served hot lunches in schools and created jobs for writers, actors, musicians, and photographers. This program brought millions of dollars back to Arkansans.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
This program was one of the most successful of them all. It's goal was to put unemployed men back to work doing various conservation projects. Men of all race between the age of 17 to 28 were signed up. Workers did jobs such as...
- Planted trees
- Built roads
- Laid telephone lines and fences
- Constructed buildings
- Created state parks
Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)
This plan gave farmers federal money to plant only a portion of their land. Government officials hoped that their plan would decrease supplies, allowing prices to go up. It worked for a while until it started causing problems for struggling tenant farmers.