For background information on how the Great Depression affected Pennsylvanians see Story Chapter One: The Great Depression Strikes Pennsylvania.[link to Story Chapter One: The Great Depression Strikes Pennsylvania]

Schuylkill County provides information on the bootleg coal mining which took place in this anthracite region during the Great Depression.

You may also wish to preview the following Student Handouts:

Student Handout 2-Great Depression-Causes and Effects

Student Handout 3- "The Great ‘Bootleg" Coal Industry by Louis Adamac

Student Handout 4-"Digging in a Dog Hole: Independent Anthracite Mining in the 20th Century, by Patrick Shea