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What Caused The Great Depression

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The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939, and was the worst economic downturn in recent history. It began after the stock market crash in October 1929, which wiped out millions of investors. The Great Depression impacted people’s living conditions, people lost their jobs, and farming was near impossible.
The Great Depression had a large impact on people’s living conditions. After awhile, people were becoming homeless and living off the streets. Their income dropped because the companies they worked for had no money. Most people couldn’t afford to live in their own house so therefore, they became homeless. People borrowed money to invest in the stock market, then in October 1929, the stock market crashed. This caused an economic bust. …show more content…

Therefore, causing people to lose their jobs. Up to 50% of banks had closed or were near failure. Since a large number of investors lost their money due to the stock market crash, the demanded deposits in cash, forcing banks to liquidate loans. Bank runs swept the U.S in the spring and fall of 1931, and the fall of 1932. By early 1933 thousands of banks has closed their doors. In addition to banks being closed nationwide, the prices for crops bottomed out causing farmers to lose their money and jobs. The prices for a bushel of corn fell to just 8 to 10 cents. Some farm families burned corn rather than coal because it was the cheaper alternative. At this point, farmers weren’t making any money. Many farmers became angry and wanted the government’s help. In Le Mars, Iowa, a mob of angry farmers drove judges out of town to make them promise to not take anymore cases that would cost a family their farm. As a result, over 15 million people were unemployed due to the Great Depression. This financial crisis led to a significant impact on employment, both in the U.S and other countries. It affected most working in a single industry. In the U.S, unemployment rose to 25%, a quarter of the country’s work face was out of work. The arrival of World War II in 1939 added many more problems to our country, but it created many jobs for unemployed people, both within and outside the armed …show more content…

Roosevelt won the election. In effect, by March 4, 1933, every U.S state had ordered all banks to close. The U.S treasury didn’t have enough money to pay the government workers. Franklin projected a calm energy famously declaring “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Roosevelt took immediate action to address the country’s economic problems. He announced the closings of all banks so congress could pass reform legislation and reopen banks. Also, President Franklin begins to calm the people of his country by creating the “New Deal” and his radio series called “fireside chats” where he gives motivational speeches. During his first 100 days in office, his administration passed legislation that aimed to stabilize industrial and agricultural production, create jobs and stimulate recovery. In May, congress passed a bill that paid farmers to leave fields fallow in order to end agriculture surpulses, and boost prices. Later on, President Roosevelt launched a second series of federal programs, called the “Second New Deal.” In April, 1935, he created the WPA to provide jobs for unemployed people. They focused on building things like post offices, bridges, schools, highways and parks. Still, the Great Depression dragged on. Workers grew more militant: In December 1936, the United Auto Workers started a strike that included 150,000 workers in 35 cities that lasted 44 days. By 1937, to the dismay of most

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