What event marked the beginning of the Great Depression?

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 is recognized as the event that marked the beginning of the Great Depression. This crash, which occurred in late October 1929, was a dramatic decline in stock prices on the New York Stock Exchange and is often seen as a precursor to the economic turmoil that followed. The sharp drop in stock values led to a loss of confidence among consumers and investors, causing widespread panic, bank failures, and a significant decrease in consumer spending.

This chain reaction contributed to a severe decline in economic activity, resulting in high unemployment rates and widespread hardship throughout the 1930s. The Great Depression transformed the economic landscape of the United States and led to significant changes in government policy and economic structure, most notably through initiatives like the New Deal, which aimed to provide relief and recovery to the distressed economy.

In contrast, while the Dust Bowl represented a significant environmental disaster that exacerbated the suffering of many during the Great Depression, it occurred after the stock market crash had already initiated the economic downturn. The New Deal was a response to the Great Depression, not its beginning, and World War II, while it had a profound impact on the economy, came many years later and helped spur recovery from the Great Depression rather than marking its