Question

In 3–5 sentences, describe the causes and impact of the Ford Hunger March in Dearborn, Michigan, in 1932.

Answer 1

The Ford Hunger March, also known as the Ford Massacre, was organized by unemployed autoworkers in March 1932 to protest against the dire economic conditions resultant from the Great Depression. The march was sparked by the refusal of Henry Ford, the owner of the Ford Motor Company, to provide relief for unemployed workers and his staunch opposition to labor unions. The protestors, consisting mainly of Great Depression victims and members of the Communist Party, were met with violence from Ford's private security guards and the Dearborn Police, resulting in the deaths of four protestors and the injury of many others. The impact of the Ford Hunger March was significant as it brought attention to the desperate economic conditions faced by workers during the Great Depression and further fueled the labor movement in the United States.