The Great Depression

December 15, 2025

6 Sections

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Overview

The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic depression that lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s. It was the longest, deepest, and most widespread depression of the 20th century, originating in the United States with the stock market crash of October 1929, known as Black Tuesday. The crisis marked a pivotal era in modern economic history and profoundly transformed social, political, and financial systems across the globe, leading to massive unemployment, deflation, and a fundamental rethinking of the role of government in managing economies.

Overview and Introduction

Defines the Great Depression, its temporal and geographical scope, and provides a brief summary of its significance in global history.

Origins and Causes

Examines the complex and debated causes of the Depression, including structural weaknesses, the stock market crash, and international economic conditions.