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What Caused The Great Depression

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The Great Depression in the United States lasted 10 years between 1929 to 1939 and was the worst economic downturn throughout our history. It began after the stock market crashed in October of 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors destroying them and the economy. Throughout the next couple of years , consumers stopped going on spending sprees and investors had to be careful with their money and how they would use it. This caused a lot of declines with work and many people were either fired and let go by their job owners leaving many people to be poor. By 1933, when the Great Depression reached its lowest point, about 15 million people were without a job who had previously had one.

Throughout the 1920s …show more content…

Everyone started pouring their money into all types of stocks . As a result, the stock market underwent fast expansion and reached its peak in August 1929. On October 24, 1929, investors began selling overpriced stocks and caused the market to become corrupt and the market crashed, which was everyones worry. About 12.9 million shares of stocks ended and became worth nothing.

Five days later, on October 29 or “Black Tuesday,” all of the people who invested in stocks were wiped out. Consumers confidence disappeared at this time of the stock market crash
Page Two and the people stopped their spending and investments and to led many factories and other businesses to slow down production and begin sending the workers home and many lost their jobs. Some workers were lucky enough to keep their jobs but the wages fell and buying power decreased.

Many Americans were forced to buy on credit and fell into debt, and the number of foreclosures and repossessions climbed steadily. This, in turn, caused other countries around the world some economic problems from the United States especially Europe. The Great Depression had devastating effects in countries both rich and poor. Personal income, tax revenue, profits and prices dropped, while international trade plunged by more than 50%. Unemployment in the U.S. rose to 25% and in some countries rose as high as …show more content…

By 1932, only 25% of unemployed families received any relief. In 1932, only 1 percent of all government funds were spent on relief and averaged about $1.67 per citizen. Cities, which had to bear the brunt of the relief efforts, almost went bankruptcy. By 1932, Cook County Chicago firemen, police, and teachers weren’t really paid for about 8 months. Breadlines appeared across the nation. Those hurt the most were more in shock rather than angry. Many sank into depression and shame after they could not find jobs and support their families or even themselves. The suicide rates increased intensely from 14 to 17 per

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