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The Great Depression - Free Essay Examples And Topic Ideas

The Great Depression was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world, lasting from 1929 to 1939. It began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. Over the next several years, consumer spending and investment dropped, causing steep declines in industrial output and employment as failing companies laid off workers. By 1933, when the Great Depression reached its lowest point, some 15 million Americans were unemployed and nearly half the country’s banks had failed. Throughout the 1920s, the U.S. economy expanded rapidly, and the nation’s total wealth more than doubled between 1920 and 1929, a period dubbed “the Roaring Twenties.”

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Role of New York Stock Exchange

The stock market, centered at the New York Stock Exchange on Wall Street in New York City, was the scene of reckless speculation, where everyone from millionaire tycoons to cooks and janitors poured their savings into stocks. As a result, the stock market underwent rapid expansion, reaching its peak in August 1929.

By then, production had already declined and unemployment had risen, leaving stock prices much higher than their actual value. Additionally, wages at that time were low, consumer debt was proliferating, the agricultural sector of the economy was struggling due to drought and falling food prices, and banks had an excess of large loans that could not be liquidated. On October 24, 1929, as nervous investors began selling overpriced shares en masse, the stock market crash that some had feared happened at last. A record 12.9 million shares were traded that day, known as “Black Thursday.”

Black Tuesday

Five days later, on October 29 or “Black Tuesday,” some 16 million shares were traded after another wave of panic swept Wall Street. Millions of shares ended up worthless, and those investors who had bought stocks “on margin” (with borrowed money) were wiped out completely.

Growing Consumer Debts

As consumer confidence vanished in the wake of the stock market crash, the downturn in spending and investment led factories and other businesses to slow down production and begin firing their workers. For those who were lucky enough to remain employed, wages fell, and buying power decreased.

Many Americans forced to buy on credit fell into debt, and the number of foreclosures and repossessions climbed steadily. The global adherence to the gold standard, which joined countries around the world in fixed currency exchange, helped spread economic woes from the United States throughout the world, especially Europe.

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Causes of the Great Depression Essay | Essay on Causes of the Great Depression for Students and Children in English

February 12, 2024 by Prasanna

Causes of the Great Depression Essay: One of the most devastating economic situations that occurred in the history of America is referred to as the Great Depression. It is known to have ruined the entire economy, destroyed the markets, and resulted in an increase in the unemployment rate.

The crashing of the stock market caused havoc and also affected each of the aspects of the economy. There was a shortage of money whereas the prices of all the goods increased drastically. This gradually led to the bankruptcy of several enterprises, companies, and banks. Besides, the actions and the measures taken by the government to be included in the system of the economy caused more significant damage. It also destroyed the economy.

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Long and Short Essays on Causes of the Great Depression for Students and Kids in English

We are providing students with essay samples on a long essay of 500 words and a short essay of 150 words on the topic Causes of The Great Depression for reference.

Long Essay on Causes of the Great Depression 500 Words in English

Long Essay on Causes of the Great Depression is usually given to classes 7, 8, 9, and 10.

The depression started due to the overpowering involvement of the government in the country’s economy and society’s everyday life. This was known as the most tragic and devasting period in history.

This period witnessed the havoc and crashing of the entire country’s economy. It was a frightening period that made the persons entirely overlook wealth, richness, and development of the previous decade since the conditions of living in this period was incredibly unfair, along with new problems and circumstances. The crash of the stock market took place in the year 1929. Back in the 1920s, the stock market witnessed a historical growth. Since the prices of the stock grew to a too high level, examining the stock market was eventually seen as the simplest way to earn money. Besides, several of the individuals had to mortgage their houses to purchase more stock.

The significant decline of the stock prices occurred in October 1929. This led to an instant spread of fear and panic amongst the shareholders. It resulted in the disbandment of their holdings which worsened the decline and increased the level of panic amongst the people. During September and November, the prices of the stock reduced to around 33%. This created widespread fear and shock across the country. It also led to a decline in the economic confidence amongst the industries and customers.

Thus, the spending of the consumers on steady products along with the investments of the industries decreasing drastically. It gradually resulted in the reduced output of the businesses and increased the losses of jobs. This further reduced both investment and spending. Another factor that is considered to be a cause of the great depression is the panics caused in banks and the reduction of financial growth. During the years of 1932 and 1930 US underwent a total of four banking waves of panic.

These four bank waves of panic led to the growth of the peoples few, which is why several clients tried to take out their deposits in cash. Since the banks can easily be destroyed with the growth of panic and terror amongst the people, it gradually led to the destruction of the banks.

The standard of the gold is also included in the increase of the Great depression beginning from the United Stated to few other countries. Since the US underwent a decreased level of output and deflation, the price range of its exports also reduced considerably. Also, the people in America were hardly purchasing any imported products. These imbalances eventually led to the growth of the gold outflows to the US. This resulted in the devaluation of the money of several countries where the reserves of gold had been exhausted.

Also, the rates of interests were increased by the foreign central banks in the hope of responding to the imbalance of trade. This affected the countries greatly by minimizing the output and prices and raising the rates of unemployment in their countries. Besides, the weakening of the economy was equally worse in Europe as that of the US.

Short Essay on Causes of the Great Depression 150 Words in English

Short Essay on Causes of the Great Depression is usually given to classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6.

One of the most terrifying and serious economic downfalls in the modern historical background is known to be a great depression. This occurred in the late 1920s and 1930s. This lasted for around ten years and affected almost each of the country across the entire globe.

This phenomenon started with the continuous downfall of several industrial goods along with deflation. The number of unemployment in this period was extremely high. The drastic growth in poverty along with homelessness. The effects of the depression were fatal in the US during the years 1929 and 1933 when the production of the industries sharply reduced by 47%.

Besides, the GDP of the entire state decreased by a total of 30% along with a 20% decline in the rate of unemployment. However, there aren’t any accurate reasons behind the causes of the great depressions found by historians or economists. However, they highly believe that factors like declining international tariffs, destroyed stock markets, gold standard, and banking panics.

10 Lines on Causes of the Great Depression in English

Crashing of New York Stock Exchange took place on the date 29th Oct 1929.
People aimed at getting rich quickly back in the 1920s, which was also a huge factor behind it.
People spent most of their fortune for mass advertisements, mass goods production and various movies which gave the notion of being successful as well getting rick.
Excessive production for agriculture and the farm products pricing at a record low level also accounted for this cause.
The wrong distribution of wealth among the people, i.e. only a few had good wealth.
American companies structure had an issue in itself, i.e. the excess number of large holding businesses.
The excessive investment in stocks with the thinking of gaining profit every time.
Federal reserve system didn’t take any appropriate measures to solve any of it.
The standard of gold also played a key role in spreading it.
In the 1920s, the high rate of interests imposed by the US led to less lending and tariffs internationally to other countries. This also became a major accelerant for it.

FAQ’s on Causes of the Great Depression Essay

Question 1. When did the Great Depression occur?

Answer: The great depression started in 1929 in the United States.

Question 2. How long did the Great Depression last?

Answer: It lasted for as long as ten years.

Question 3. Was the US the only state affected by the Great Depression?

Answer: The great depression began in the US, but it eventually expanded across the globe.

Question 4. What were the few causes of the great depression?

Answer: Some of the major causes of the great depression were the panics in the bank, fold standards, etc.

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The Great Depression – Cause and Effect, Essay Example

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The Great Depression was the longest and most severe financial crisis in the history of the United States, lasting from 1929 until 1939. Even though the recent financial crisis has been termed as the second worst, it pales in comparison to the Great Depression in which unemployment rate exceeded 20 percent at its highest point. Industrial production declined by 47 percent and the real GDP fell by 30 in the U.S. between the peak and trough of the depression. Even though the depression was triggered by a decline in aggregate demand but numerous factors contributed towards its severity including stock market crash, bank panics, and monetary contraction (Romer).

The stock market crash of 1929 has been widely credited as the starting point of the Great Depression. As people lost investments, their uncertainty regarding the future increased. They responded by scaling back their spending activities including purchase of durable goods. The firms also responded to declining demand by suspending their capital investments. This resulted in real GDP falling rapidly in late 1929 and throughout the 1930 (Romer).

As the aggregate demand in the U.S. fell, it also led to decrease in the prices of the goods and services. This is because quantity demanded and price has a positive relationship. Because the nominal wages didn’t decline as much as the general price levels, the real wages of the workers grew and labor became a more expensive factor of production. Faced with a declining demand, the manufacturers could not afford expensive labor and thus, they responded by cutting their workforces (Bernanke). As unemployment rose, it put even greater downward pressure on the consumption activities.

Another reason was the loss of confidence in the banks as a consequence of stock market crash as well as Federal inaction on the failing banks. The bank runs resulted in loss of bank reserves such as gold and currency etc. which means the bank could not provide any more loans. This resulted in contracting money supply which negatively affected both the consumption activities by the consumers as well as the investing activities by the businesses (Wheelock). Falling consumption and investing activities meant falling GDP and lower demand for labor force.

The Fed also made the matters worse by pursuing a contractionary monetary policy. Modern economics has come to the conclusion that decreasing interest rates is a better strategy to spur growth during struggling times and this is how the Fed has dealt with the recent financial crisis and how it acted in the wake of internet bubble bust. But Fed raised interest rates during the Great Depression which made borrowing even more expensive and further reduced consumption and investing activities. It also hurt consumption in another way. The public and the businesses came to expect deflation in the future due to declining price levels which further discouraged them from borrowing. This is because they expected their incomes to fall in the future (Romer).

Thus, it is apparent to some extent that the Great Depression occurred due to inappropriate government response to the crisis which also happened because our understanding of Macroeconomics was still in its infancy. The Great Depression continues to be a topic of intense research and the lessons from the Great Depression have helped us a repeat of a crisis of a similar magnitude. The U.S. government has become a lot better at financial crisis management and is more willing to intervene in the markets when the circumstances demand.

Bernanke, Ben S. “The Macroeconomics of the Great Depression: A Comparative Approach.” Journal of Money, Credit and Banking February 1995: 1-28.

Romer, Christina D. “Great Depression.” Encyclopaedia Britannica 20 December 2003.

Wheelock, David C. “An Overview of the Great Depression.” St. Louis: Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, 2007.

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The Great Depression Essay

The Great Depression background

The great depression is an immense tragedy that took millions of people in the United States from work. It marked the beginning of involvement from the government to the country’s economy and also the society as a whole. After almost a decade of prosperity and optimism, the US was now exposed to a period of despair. The day when this happened is referred to as Black Tuesday, and it is the day when the stock market crashed. That was the official date when the Great Depression started. The stock market prices crashed to an extent that there was no hope for them to rise again. A long period of panic struck, and there was darkness in terms of stock market prices. Many people tried as they could to sell their stock, but, unfortunately, no one was ready to buy. The stock market that had for long been viewed as a path to wealth and richness was now a sure path to bankruptcy (Martin 106).

Economic impact of the Great Depression

Failure of the stock market. The stock market was not the only one that was affected; actually, that was just but the beginning of the Great Depression. In effect, it was unfavorable for the clients whose money was already in the markets for investment: many banks had done that and that meant a huge loss to the clients. It was also a double loss in that though the clients lost their money, the banks were forced to close down. This is because they directly depended on the stock market. When this happened, it caused much panic even to other people, and this is what made them go to the other banks that were open to withdraw their money. This kind of massive withdrawal had a major effect in that it caused the banks to close too. What is more, it was a disadvantage to those who did not withdraw their money because of not reaching the bank on time. After the banks closed, people went bankrupt and could not claim anything whosoever.

Business and industry failure . Industries and businesses were highly affected too. This is because they were also working hand in hand with the stock market. Since the stock market had closed down, this meant that their savings and capital were lost. This affected the labor in the businesses since they had to cut on the number of workers who worked in the corresponding companies. Employees’ wages were also affected because any business could not pay them again as required. The stock market issue also affected the customers in that they stopped buying and spending on luxurious goods. This influenced greatly the companies that produced these commodities in terms of sales and also getting profit. The companies too had to close down (Martin 98).

Farmers. The Great Depression affected the farmers in a very adverse way. Though they always survived other depressions that they encountered, this one was a big challenge to them. Most of the farmers were situated at the Great Plains before the Great Depression took place. The territory was affected so badly by drought and dust storms which were horrendous in nature. They created a situation that was referred to as the Dust Bowl. The farmers were used to overgrazing, and now this had to combine with the effects of drought leading to a blow to the farmers. The latter were even left without food and crops for their animals. This is because the grass that the animals could feed on had already dried up and disappeared in the long run. The loose dirt was picked by the whirled wind, and topsoil got exposed. The farmers were left without crops as the wind picked up everything on its way (Martin 200).

Small scale farmers disadvantaged . Small scale farmers were more disadvantaged than the large scale farmers. They turned out to have a small piece of land on which they had to get their daily bread. Some of these farmers asked for tractors from their respective governments, and thus, they were made to pay some amount to cater for those. The hit that the farmers went through could not enable them to pay their debts. They could also not make it to feed their families, not mentioning themselves. Some of the farmers had also capitalized on the stock market and bank. Since the stock market was affected, and as a result, the banks too, the farmers suffered as well. Losing their investments and crops influenced greatly the way they related with each other and had an impact on their contribution to the economy of the land. The country lost a lot of laborers and this led to the deterioration of the country’s economy.

Unemployment . Many people lost their jobs during this time of the Great Depression. Having lost their jobs, it was very difficult for people to bring food on the table. Families were even forced to sell their houses and move to apartments. Others were made to move in together since the standard of living was going down day by day. Paying rent was now a very hard thing to achieve. It was even complicated for people to separate or divorce. This was the time when the rate of separation and divorce went down. This is because everyone needed the other to contribute, especially in paying the rent. Due to ego, men who had already lost their jobs felt ashamed even to walk in the cities, and, therefore, they were forced to stay in their homes. If at all the wives and the children were working, they felt that their status was challenged. Even in this situation, the two categories aforementioned were forced to go looking for jobs. This time, women were even accused of taking the man’s place after getting a job.

As a matter of fact, it was hard to get jobs locally because every part of the country had been affected. Many people were seen on the roads looking for jobs. Many people could not afford luxurious goods like cars, and thus, very few cars were seen on the roads. A lot of the cars were on sale since maintenance costs were unaffordable. The majority of teenagers were affected as they were the people who were seen on the roads walking up and down looking to get some job (Martin 187).

Older men, women, and families at large were on the rails too. They would be seen boarding trains just to cross and see whether they could get some occupation. Every time there was a job opening, many people applied for the position and chances for employment at such. Those who could not get the job would end up living in shanty towns which were outside the town. The houses in such places were made of affordable cheap materials like newspapers, wood, mud, cardboard, and iron sheets. Farmers who could no longer afford their previous lives would be found in western California. This is because of the agricultural opportunity rumors that came from that area. It is true that there were periods of agricultural opportunities. The farmers were nicknamed as Okies and Arkies.

The Great Depression took place during the reign of President Herbert Hoover. The citizens always blamed the governing President, though he always talked about optimism. Some of the shanty towns which were far from big cities were named after him – for instance, Hoovervilles. Interestingly, newspapers used to cover people sleeping in the streets were called Hoover Blankets. What is more, even bad looking broken cars were referred to as Hoover Wagons (Martin 134).

Human suffering . The Great Depression had a huge impact in that it caused human suffering. It took a very short time, and the levels of living went down drastically. People started borrowing from each other just to survive. Unemployment increased since industries could not take employees anymore. They could not afford to pay the people what they deserved. Research shows that at least a fourth of the labor force in all the industrialized countries could not work anymore (Martin 145). The industries could not satisfy them in terms of wages. This was noticed in 1930, and the total recovery was only realized by the end of that decade.

End of international gold standard. The Great Depression is seen as a cause of international gold standard. There was no money to invest anymore, and it was evident that the interest rates went down too. There was also the introduction of floating rates, and people stopped using the fixed exchange rates. On the other hand, there was an expansion of the welfare state and labor unions in 1930. Union membership went to an extent of doubling between that year and 1940. This was a result of extreme unemployment and the National Labor Relations Act which was passed in 1935. All this led to collective bargaining. The US took an extra mile of coming up with unemployment compensation. This also included the survivors’ and old age insurance. This was incorporated in the Social Security Act the same year. Its aim was to cater for the hardships that the citizens were going through in 1930.

Increase of government’s economy regulation. The rate at which the government regulated the economy increased substantially. The focus was mostly on the financial markets. Different bodies to carry out this function were established. These included the Securities and Exchange Commission which was established in 1934. The main role of these institutions was to control and regulate stock issues in the stock market, especially with regard to the new products. The Banking Act went ahead to come up with deposit insurance, whose role was to work with the banks by prohibiting them from underwriting. Deposit insurance was not so popular in the world up to the Second World War. This time it was able to work effectively, hence achieving its mission and objectives.

Growth of macroeconomic strategies. The aim of the latter was to fight the economic upturns and downturns. As a matter of fact, different strategies were established to fight the Great Depression. An increased focus on how the government spend, tax cuts, and expansion of the monetary fund were some of the ways to fight the the phenomenon under consideration. The government was also trying to work to its best so as to fight unemployment. The banks were also working against recessions.

Homelessness, discrimination and racism . Many people had lost their jobs and it became even hard to get rent for their houses. They had to move to shanty areas which also were not very affordable. Others could not afford anything to cover their heads. This led to building the Hoovervilles. Since so many people were unemployed, there was a huge competition in the job market. Very few could get jobs, and those who did were not paid according to what they delivered. Under the circumstances, discrimination grew and African Americans could rarely get a job. Racism was an issue at that time. Americans were more aggressive as they noticed that there were shrinking opportunities to get a position. The African Americans, Asian Americans, and Hispanics were the people who suffered the most. This is because of the discrimination and racism that were going on. Again, the whites were claiming the jobs which were paying poorly, hence occupying the opportunities that these minorities had before Hoovervilles.

It is evident that in any country there are different levels of people as far as their income is concerned. Where people live is different depending on what one eats. The lifestyle generally depends on what the person earns…

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Home — Essay Samples — History — Great Depression — The Major Causes and Effects of the Great Depression in the United States

The Major Causes and Effects of The Great Depression in The United States

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Causes of the Great Depression Essay

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Period of Great depression remains a memorable economic period in the US history. During this period millions of people lost their jobs, and the United States experienced the worst economic hardship ever (Conlin, 777). The effects of the depression had a significant impact all over the world, including Germany where it resulted into World War II. It was not only caused by a single factor, but by a combination of factors including both, domestic and worldwide conditions.

One of the reasons which caused this Depression was overproduction of the agricultural sector. Workers had to be laid off until the manufactured surplus was used up (Document M). It hampered considerably with the business cycle when people had enough of what they needed.

As a result, the agricultural farm products’ prices dropped (Document N). Some could not afford to pay the government taxes and had no choice but to sell their farms in order to pay these taxes. Those who had debts had their land auctioned to repay the loans. As a consequence, farm products reduced in quantity and many farmers lost their land leading to reduction in industrial production.

Another reason which led to depression was the decline in spending or the aggregate demand. This was due to unemployment, loss of jobs and present harsh economic time. Reduction in demand affected the supply and many industries shut down and some laid off their workers in order cut down production. The economy of the United States had worsened to an extent where those who had jobs got enough to keep them alive. They lived on forty cents a day, and had little money to use in making purchases (Document I).

Stock market crash also fuelled the Great Depression of the United States. Many people had invested in the stock market by 1920’s as heavily as never before. Trading on stocks was the most lucrative investment during this decade, and many of those who had invested in stocks flourished. The deviation from the long term trend was above twenty percent after 1920 (Document A). There was a heavy investment in stock during this period leading to extremely marginal stock.

However, the down fall of this came in 1929, when a few stock market investors started selling their stocks. This was due to a prediction of the end of rise in the stock market thus; there was a nationwide stampede to unload the stocks (Document D). A sudden decrease in stock prices was then realized since there were no buyers and a large number of desperate sellers. The result was a loss in millions of dollars. It led to the Great Depression in the United States.

The American foreign policy also played a role in the Great Depression. It was an attempt by the Americans to export more than it could import (Document P). The policies favored monopoly and rise in inequality in terms of wealth and income. However, it charged a higher tax for the imports, thus reducing trade with other countries.

This happened after the government’s creation of the Smooth Hawley Tariff of 1930 which raised the average duty on European imports from forty percent to sixty percent (Document P). Although this was created in favor of America, it had a significant contribution to the extreme decline of world prices of raw materials. It affected international linkages of the US to other countries, and in revenge other countries came up with their own policies as a correction to trade imbalances.

Banking panics were felt towards the end of 1929, and at the start of 1930’s. Most of the banks had inherent weak financial structure. People started losing confidence with the banks, and as a result there was a simultaneous demand by those people who had deposits in the bank (Document L).

Most of the banks ran into insolvency during the period with the weakness of one bank spreading to the rest (Document L). More debts reduced chances of getting more loans. Most of the banks had run into bankruptcy. It affected the stocks, and most of the industries which depended on banks were shut down. Their workers were left jobless, and they had to be laid off. This led to hard economic times in the USA which had never been felt before.

Lastly, the period of 1920’s was a period of economic boom. Many people enjoyed the privilege by buying goods on credit and installments, since most of them were employed. Debt was taken as a normal thing which could be repaid after some time. Three out of every four radios were purchased on the installment plan, as well as sixty percent of all automobiles and furniture (Document H). They didn’t take the future into consideration.

The unemployment percentage rate had risen from 4.7 percent in the year 1926 to 23.1 percent in the year 1930 (Document F). With most of the people losing their jobs, they were not able to pay the monthly installments. They remained with their large debts, and with most of them, goods were repossessed.

In conclusion, these factors combined led to The Great Depression that had a great and very negative impact on the US economy, as well as on the economy of other countries worldwide. After this period, many countries reacted by developing crucial macroeconomic policies that fuelled economic downturns and upturns. Up to date central banks all over the world try to moderate recessions from time to time.

Works Cited

Conlin, Joseph R. The American Past: A Survey of American History. Boston: Cengage Learning, 2011.

Analysis of Some US Documents in the Second World War
Reading the American Past by Michael P. Johnson
Canada 1929-39: The Wages of Relief by Strikwerda
Ratios. Debt Service to Income Ratio
Divorce Process, Its Complexities and Aspects
The Development and Evolution of the CIA’s Directorate of Science and Technology
American History During World War Two
America in World War II - Experiences and Impacts
United States and the Second World War
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The Great Depression - List of Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that took place during the 1930s, profoundly affecting many countries. Essays on the Great Depression could explore its causes, such as the stock market crash of 1929, its impact on people’s lives, and the political and social repercussions. Moreover, discussions might extend to the measures taken to alleviate the depression and the lessons learned in economic policy and financial regulation, comparing it to other economic downturns. We have collected a large number of free essay examples about The Great Depression you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Why was Herbert Hoover Blamed for the Great Depression?

President Herbert Hoover is often blamed for the great depression for many reasons, he had ideas put into place that were meant to aid the problems in the economy but hurt it instead. Pro-labour policies made by President Hoover after the stock market crash of 1929 caused the majority of the nation's gross domestic product to decline over the next two years. This made what could have been a bad recession turn into the Great Depression. There were many reasons […]

How the Great Depression Affected African Americans

In the 1920s, African Americans were looked upon as lower class individuals and as a result, had very low paying jobs. Now, just imagine an economic crisis in such a situation. It will be chaotic. Unfortunately, an economic crisis did hit, and many African Americans lost their jobs, to leave the jobs for the white Americans. This economic crisis, plus the racial inequality African Americans faced caused a great depression amongst African Americans, which affected them till 1960. During this […]

Great Depression Vs. Great Recession

Both the Great Depression and the Great Recession were major events that have occurred in the United States economy that have had lasting effects on the country and other countries around the world. But these events were necessarily good ones. They were two of the greatest crises in American economic history. The Great Depression was first, occurring from 1929 to1939. The Great Recession happened many decades in the future, starting in late 2007 and ending in early 2010. Comparison of […]

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What was the Great Depression?

The Great Depression was a dramatic shift in the US economy leaving people homeless and people didn't have a way to make a living. .This made the government create new programs called the New Deal it however failed to stop the Great Depression and these programs wasted a lot of money..The Great Depression started in 1929 it was the biggest economic downfall in US History it left a lot people without jobs and banks started going out of business all […]

Causes of the Great Depression (1929-1939)

During the Great Depression, Franklin D.Roosevelt stated, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." As World War I ended and the 1920's boom in the industry deteriorated, the Great Depression developed and the result was dreadful. The crash affected millions of people and lasted for about a decade. United States was in a state of despair, as banking systems failed, many people were unemployed, and prices drastically fell. War-producing factories shut down, farms/homes were lost to possession […]

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Effects of the Great Depression on Life of Americans

The Great Depression is a major event in American history impacted the lives of many Americans and others around the World. Following World War I, the Great Depression brought pain, confusion, and suffering to a countless amount of Americans lives. Any hope Americans had at the time was lost because of this tragic event. Unfortunately, all workers at this time no longer could feel comfortable with the economy around them. Essentially, the economy was ruined and created chaos across America. […]

What Ended the Great Depression?

The Great Depression had a devastating impact on the nation, spreading across the countryside and bringing hardship to big cities and small towns. No social, racial, or economic class was excluded. At the depth of the depression, in 1933: 13 million people were unemployed, 50% percent of the banks had foreclosed, national income fell by 42% and one million people were homeless. There were multiple reasons the depression occurred. The series of factors that caused this event were the 1929 […]

The Aftermath and Effects of World War II on the United States

Despite the overall ending of World War II, the effects of the war brought both positive and negative changes to the United States. These changes included different economic, political, and social aspects that transformed America into all that it is today, and whether or not these changes where positive or negative, both are truly important to the history of the United States of America. According to the textbook, some of the positive changes that World War II brought to the […]

Government Response to the Great Depression

Black Tuesday was the start of the depression. Also, Herbert Hoover did not want to give the people federal money. He thought they had to get themselves out of the problem. This made many people go homeless and plus the Dust Bowl which also destroyed people's homes. The Great Depression was defined as a dark age in the 1930's. Although, there are causes that made the Great Depression happen, like the farm industry failing, low income families, and lastly World […]

What was the Great Depression and why did it Start in the USA

There are many significant events that have shaped America’s history. Some were infamous, some scandalous and some we choose to overlook..According to the PBS film “The Great Depression”, The Great Depression was one of the most traumatic and gut wrenching event throughout history. This film outline the events leading up to the great depression and highlights some of the significant events during this time period. The Great Depression was an economic downturn that began in 1929 while president Herbert Hoover […]

Great Depression: what Happened, Causes, how it Ended

During the 1930s. America went through one of the worst economic declines in world history, The Great Depression. Many believe it was sole because of the stock market crash, however other factors played a huge role in causing the Great Depression to occur. Bank failures, the Smoot-Hawley Tariff in the 1930s, and weather conditions from the Dust Bowl all played a critical factor in influencing this economic depression within America. Throughout America's history, much examination has been placed in the […]

The Great Depression and John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck is one of Americans best selling author. Steinbeck has wrote over 25 books throughout his writing career. Steinbeck traveled around the world to get ideas for his books. He mainly wrote about what it was like to live in the Great Depression and about American life in the 20’s. He wrote about his personal life and the life around him during the Dust Bowl and one of the worst times in American history. The Great Depression started right […]

Unemployment during the Great Depression

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Male Workers during the Great Depression

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Economic Recovery in the Great Depression

The Nineteen Twenties proved to be a great decade for America. The end of the Great War marked the end of many world powers and weakened many other countries. However, amidst of this chaos, the stage was set for America to become a superpower and prosper greatly throughout the decade"just to break down and enter a longest-lasting economic downturn the country has ever seen. This would affect the lives of a lot of people as unemployment, suicide rates and death […]

Great Depression: Causes and Definition

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Causes of the Great Depression and the Lasting Impacts

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Roosevelt, the Great Depression, and the Economics of Recovery

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The History of the Great Depression

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Effects the Great Depression on African Americans

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Great Depression in the United States

The Great depression was a time when America could not see the future and felt doubtful about the future to come. This was the worst economic downfall in the history of the United States. The Depression started in 1929 and happened to end in the end of 1930. More than a third of the nation's banks had failed and this caused the major stock market to come crashing down. The Great Depression was horrifying for many Americans because of its […]

Gender Roles during the Great Depression and the Cold War

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How could the Great Depression been Pre Tive

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Argentina and the Great Depression

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The Economy of the Great Depression

The United States has faced quite a few depressions every 20 or so years. At the end of the 1920’s the United States had a thriving economy until the Great Depression hit in 1929. The Great Depression was the most severe and longest ever experienced by the industrialized western world. This depression occurred between 1929 and 1939 resulting from a time of major economic decline, bank failures, reduction in purchasing, and the drought conditions. Before the depression, profits for businesses […]

America’s Great Depression and Roosevelt’s New Deal

The Great Depression led to one of the greatest economic downfalls in United States history and some of the economic causes that led to the Great Depression included bank failures, the Stock Market Crash of 1929, and the Dust Bowl. A total of 56,670 banks failed from the years 1930-1932. The number of bank failures decreased as the years went on. Most of these banks were smaller side (Chapter 21). During this time, customers lost most if not all of […]

The Causes of the Great Depression

Imagine losing all your money in a blink of an eye after it being flowing into your pocket rapidly in the last period and then you either have to depend on others or sell what you have and stand in long lines for food. This is what happened to average families during the greatest economic downturn in the history of the U.S. Before the great depression the U.S was advancing exponentially during what was called the Roaring Twenties(Ellen Parson,2002). The […]

Herbert Hoover’s Presidency: Navigating through the Storm of the Great Depression

Herbert Hoover, the 31st President of the United States, often finds himself eclipsed by the significant impact of the Great Depression. The current era of unparalleled economic upheaval has significantly influenced the course of history. Herbert Hoover, a professional engineer and successful entrepreneur, became the presidency in 1929 during the economic turmoil that plagued the United States. The scholarly community has engaged in extensive historical discourse over his reaction to the Great Depression. A comprehensive comprehension of Hoover's actions necessitates […]

How did the Great Depression Lead to WW2

Imagine a world gripped by economic despair, where hope seems like a distant dream and the common man struggles to see the light at the end of the tunnel. The 1920s, often glamorized as the age of jazz and prosperity, suddenly gave way to the harsh realities of the 1930s: The Great Depression. As families across the globe grappled with unemployment and hunger, a more sinister wave was taking shape in the form of political upheavals and rising dictatorships. But […]


Time period :	August 1929 – March 1933
Duration (months) :	43
Global GDP decline :	-26.7%
Peak global unemployment :	24.9% (1933)
Next instance :	Recession of 1937–1938

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How To Write an Essay About The Great Depression

Understanding the great depression.

Before starting an essay on the Great Depression, it is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of this significant historical event. The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that took place during the 1930s. It began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into panic and wiped out millions of investors. The depression had devastating effects in countries both rich and poor. Begin your essay by outlining the key events that led to the Great Depression, including the stock market crash, bank failures, and reduction in purchasing across the board. Additionally, discuss the global impact of the depression, as it was not limited to the United States but affected economies worldwide.

Developing a Thesis Statement

A strong essay on the Great Depression should be centered around a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should present a specific viewpoint or argument about the Great Depression. For instance, you might analyze the causes of the Great Depression, its impact on a particular sector of society, or the effectiveness of the responses by governments. Your thesis will guide the direction of your essay and ensure a structured and coherent analysis.

Gathering Historical Evidence

To support your thesis, gather historical evidence from credible sources. This may include economic data, personal accounts, government policies, and historical analyses. For example, if discussing the impact on agriculture, you might use statistics about farm foreclosures or personal narratives from farmers. Analyze this evidence critically, considering the context and the source's reliability.

Analyzing the Impact of The Great Depression

Dedicate a section of your essay to analyzing the impact of the Great Depression. Discuss the widespread unemployment, the collapse of financial institutions, and the human toll it took on society. Consider the long-term effects, such as changes in government policy, shifts in economic theory, and how it shaped subsequent generations' attitudes toward money and banking.

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your discussion and restating your thesis in light of the evidence presented. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and emphasize the significance of understanding the Great Depression in the context of both historical and modern economic understanding. You might also want to reflect on the lessons learned from the Great Depression and their relevance to contemporary economic challenges.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After completing your essay, take the time to review and refine it. Ensure that your arguments are clearly articulated and supported by evidence. Check for grammatical accuracy and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from peers, teachers, or historians to further refine your essay. A well-written essay on the Great Depression will not only demonstrate your understanding of this pivotal period in history but also your ability to engage critically with economic and historical narratives.

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