Adell Patton, associate professor of history at UMSL, participates in a panel discussion on poverty in America during the Great Depression, which was featured on American History TV on C-SPAN3.

The widespread impact of the Great Depression was felt throughout the United States. For a recent panel discussion that aired on C-SPAN, University of Missouri–St. Louis historian Adell Patton examined the effect of the epic financial crisis on a specific segment of the U.S. population: rural African Americans.

Patton, associate professor of history at UMSL, drew on personal observations and years of extensive research for his portion of the discussion. Panelists Margaret Garb and John McManus joined Patton. Garb looked at well-known photographers and journalists who documented severe poverty in rural and urban America during the Great Depression, while McManus explored poverty’s impact on soldiers’ decision to serve in World War II.

The panel discussion was broadcast on American History TV on C-SPAN3. View the full video of the discussion on the American History TV website.

The panel discussion is in conjunction with a new exhibit at the National Archives at St. Louis titled “Through America’s Lens: Focusing on the Greatest Generation, 1920-1945.” It features some of America’s most memorable photographic images taken by photographers who served in the U.S. military and were employed by the federal government. The exhibition is free and open to the public. It will be on display through Sept. 27.