Preview

Great Depression: A Worldwide Economic Collapse

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
689 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Great Depression: A Worldwide Economic Collapse
The Great Depression The Great Depression was a worldwide economic collapse that was caused by a number of things which include: speculation in the stock market, inequalities in wealth, bank failures, and drought conditions. It started in 1929 and lasted until the late 1930s. It was the longest and most devastating depression ever experienced by the Western World. Before the Great Depression, there were few regulations that controlled the stock market. Stockholders were able to speculate and buy shares of stocks on margin or use money that they had borrowed. According to Encyclopedia.com, “Speculation in stock means to buy stock with the assumption that it can always be sold at a profit…Buying on margin means that a person purchases a

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Better Essays

    The Great Depression had many causes that built up to make it as big as it was. During World War I the U.S. had loaned supplies and money to their European Allies; not having these supplies or money caused the countries to go into debt making the depression go worldwide. The U.S. had a weak economy. There was an inability of the political and financial institutions to cope with the downward spiral that had started in the late twenties. Even after political intervention fifteen percent of the work force were unemployed. The biggest cause of the Great Depression was the 1929 Stock Market Crash. On October 29, 1929 stock market prices dropped dramatically and continued to drop for the next three years. “Stock prices in the United States continued to fall, until by late 1932 they had dropped to 20% of there value in 1929”(Britanica 1).…

    • 2193 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Great Depression had a significant impact in history. It was one of the most memorable events in history due to its economic impact and its influence on society. It began as a stock market crash, but soon turned into the deepest economic depression in history. Businesses cut production, consumers reduced purchases, and the stock market continued to decline. It began in 1929, lasting for several years. Its impact can still be seen today, as the country continues to learn of its effects.…

    • 449 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was the longest and greatest stock market crash in the history of the western world. It lasted over 10 years, from 1929-1939, which is the longest and widest depression in western history. A depression in economics is, “A sustained, long-term downturn in economic activity in one or more economies.” -According to wikipedia.…

    • 288 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was an economic downturn that began in 1929. The long term causes of the Great Depressions were the overproduction of farms and the instability of banks. Hoover was elected in 1928 and he believed in rugged individualism, the economy had natural cycles, and a do nothing approach. Hoover not stimulating the economy by putting money into it and providing jobs prolonged the Great Depression. FDR was elected in 1932 and he created the new deal, which was a series of government programs to provide reform to the stock market, relief to the American people, and recovery to the United States economy. The New Deal was a success in pulling America out of the Great Depression.…

    • 452 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was the largest economic crisis in the history of the United States. During this time there was an outbreak of poverty that swept the nation. There were many economic, social, and political changes during this time. Although this was a difficult time, the government was able to create job opportunities and projects to end the Depression.…

    • 576 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Great Depression Dbq

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression in the decade preceding World War II. The timing of the Great Depression varied across nations, but in most countries it started in 1930 and lasted until the late 1930s or middle 1940s.…

    • 1188 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    1929-1939 Great Depression

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Great Depression was dated from 1929-1939. It was known to be the longest economic down fall in the history of western industrialized world. The Great depression was started after the stock market crashed in October 1929 ( “The Great depression”,n.d .). This event sent wall street into panic mode and swiped out millions of investors across the country. During the year 1933 the great depression had reached it’s peak and more than 13 million Americans were unemployed and half of our nations banks had failed. ( “The Great depression”,n.d .)…

    • 1457 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was a time of great suffering in American history. Remarkably it was a time that marked the American people and the country was able to emerge shining and stronger than ever. The Great Depression began in 1929 when in the month of October the stock market crashed and fourteen billion dollars were lost. In just one week, thirty billion dollars were gone. This loss was so monumental because it was ten times the average annual budget of the United States.…

    • 717 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Starting in 1930, the Great Depression was a time of serious monetary ruin in America. The Great Depression made a great deal of anxiety on Americans monetarily and emotionally. The Great Depression was a monetary destruction in the United States and the world, this was brought about by the tremendous stock market crash. Because of the decrease in value of money, less employments were accessible. Regardless of the fact that you could discover an occupation with many hours, the pay wouldn't be sufficient to provide for your family.…

    • 373 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    Great Depression Dbq

    • 1432 Words
    • 6 Pages

    The Great Depression was the deepest and longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the world. After the stock market crash of 1929, the American economy plummeted. This was devastating for many families. Thousands of people were out of their jobs, and left to starve on the streets. Many were forced to simplify their wardrobes, problems in the education systems arose, and the banking system was destroyed. People turned to the government to help them out of their problems. Hoover and FDR worked to pass relief acts that would boost the American economy.…

    • 1432 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was a sad time in history and in fact it had to happen in order for America to be how it is today. The President at the time was Franklin D. Roosevelt, also known as F.D.R., FDR tried his best to solve the economic crash but he could only do so much. In 1929 the stock market crashed, this was a result of various economic imbalances and structural failings. In effect of the stock market crash, this caused approximately nine-thousand banks to fail which sent the entire Western industrialized world into a depression. The meaning of the word depression is a long and severe recession in an economy or market. The reason why the Great Depression is called the “Great” Depression is because it wasn’t a small recession in a minor…

    • 1012 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was a long, severe, recession in the economy market that caused the stock market to crash. Millions of people lost their jobs and banks closed because so many people were in deptt but didn’t have the money to pay the bank back because they were unemployed. Therefore, the banks closed and all of their saved income was gone. The Great Depression had very big impacts on American society both socially and economically.…

    • 410 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Great Depression was the longest-lasting economic downturn in the history of the Western industrialized world. In the United States, the Great Depression wiped out millions of investors and American spending which resulted in high rates of unemployment and crime. Most historians consider the stock market crash of 1929 to be the start of the Great Depression; however, in the state of Iowa, the Great Depression started years before the stock market crash. The depression effected Iowan families with high unemployment rates and low income, but through the rough times, families were able to overcome the depression with great sacrifices and compromises.…

    • 890 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Great Depression was one of the worst economic downturn in the world's history. It started in 1929 when the markets crashed in October. When this happened, Wall Street began to panic. People stopped buying the things that they used too. Which caused unemployment because there were failing companies that were forced to lay off workers. The stock prices started to decline at a rapid rate. Nearly 25% of people were laid off, and banks were failing. [The depression effected the poor and the wealthy]. Also, the farmers were hit hard. The crop prices dropped 60%. Things decreased in prices, and people with jobs were paid very little.…

    • 225 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    The Great Depression was the longest lasting and deepest economic downturn in the western industrialized world. When the stock market crashed and wall street went up in smoke, millions of investors were wiped out. Not only were investors and affected but also everyone who relied on them to keep their savings safe. People were turned against one another and corporations true colors were revealed. For many, materialism was diminished and the need to survive was the priority. The Great Depression changed the way of life for the western industrialized world. It not only affected the downfall of the economy, but also the mentality of citizens as the quality of living conditions plummeted, a sense of hope was lost, and materialism was found worthless…

    • 917 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays