But on October 24,1929, everything changed when there were terrible financial problems and the US dollar crashes. The year that followed are known in history as the Great Depression, which left many thousands of people without money, jobs home or food. By 1933, millions of people had no work and they wanted a new president. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was that man, and he promised to help Americans find jobs. Roosevelt spent government money on programs for rebuilding the country. American workers got jobs building roads, airports and schools, and by 1943, nine million American were better off.