The Causes of the Stock Market Crash

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 41 views

The Great Depression: Understanding the Event that Triggered the Global Economic Crisis

The Great Depression, one of the most significant economic downturns in modern history, lasted for over a decade, affecting millions of people worldwide. The event that signaled the beginning of this global economic crisis is a topic of much debate among historians and economists. In this article, we will explore the different options and determine which event marked the start of the Great Depression.

The stock market crash of 1929 is widely regarded as the event that triggered the Great Depression. On October 24, 1929, also known as Black Thursday, stock prices began to plummet, and panic selling ensued. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell by 13% on that day alone, and over the next few weeks, the market continued to decline. By the end of October, the Dow had fallen by over 25%, and the market continued to decline throughout the year.

The stock market crash of 1929 was not just a minor correction in the market; it was a catastrophic event that had far-reaching consequences. Many investors had bought stocks on margin, meaning they had borrowed money to purchase stocks, and when the market crashed, they were unable to pay back their loans. This led to a wave of bankruptcies, and many people lost their life savings.

The Causes of the Stock Market Crash

So, what caused the stock market crash of 1929? There were several factors that contributed to this event. One of the main causes was the speculative bubble that had formed in the stock market. Many investors had bought stocks in companies that were not profitable, but they were expected to be profitable in the future. When the market began to decline, these investors were unable to sell their stocks, and they were forced to sell at a loss.

Another factor that contributed to the stock market crash was the lack of regulation in the financial industry. There were no laws in place to protect investors, and many companies were engaging in fraudulent practices, such as insider trading and accounting manipulation.

The Impact of the Stock Market Crash

The stock market crash of 1929 had a devastating impact on the global economy. It led to a sharp decline in economic activity, and many people lost their jobs. The unemployment rate soared, and many families were forced to live in poverty. The crash also led to a decline in international trade, and many countries were forced to implement protectionist policies to protect their domestic industries.

So, let's take a look at the other options and determine if they are correct.

A. The Attack on Pearl Harbor in 1965

The attack on Pearl Harbor in 1965 is not a correct answer. The attack on Pearl Harbor actually occurred on December 7, 1941, during World War II. It was a surprise military strike by the Japanese against the United States, and it led to the United States' entry into World War II.

B. The Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand is not a correct answer. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand occurred on June 28, 1914, and it led to the outbreak of World War I. It was a complex event that involved the assassination of the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary by a group of Serbian nationalists.

D. The Iran-Contra Affair

The Iran-Contra affair is not a correct answer. The Iran-Contra affair was a scandal that occurred in the 1980s, during the presidency of Ronald Reagan. It involved the secret sale of arms to Iran and the diversion of funds to support the Contra rebels in Nicaragua.

In conclusion, the stock market crash of 1929 was the event that signaled the beginning of the Great Depression. It was a catastrophic event that had far-reaching consequences, and it led to a sharp decline in economic activity. The crash was caused by a combination of factors, including the speculative bubble in the stock market and the lack of regulation in the financial industry. The impact of the crash was devastating, and it led to a decline in international trade and a rise in unemployment.

1929: The stock market crash of 1929 occurs on October 24, 1929.
1930: The unemployment rate rises to 15%.
1931: The global economy continues to decline, and many countries are forced to implement protectionist policies.
1932: The unemployment rate rises to 25%.
1933: The Great Depression reaches its peak, and the unemployment rate rises to 30%.
1939: The Great Depression begins to subside, and the unemployment rate begins to decline.

Herbert Hoover: The 31st President of the United States, who served from 1929 to 1933. He was criticized for his handling of the Great Depression.
Franklin D. Roosevelt: The 32nd President of the United States, who served from 1933 to 1945. He implemented a series of policies known as the New Deal, which helped to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the Great Depression.
John Maynard Keynes: A British economist who wrote extensively on the causes and consequences of the Great Depression. He argued that government intervention was necessary to stimulate economic activity.
Milton Friedman: An American economist who argued that the Great Depression was caused by a combination of factors, including the gold standard and the lack of monetary policy.

The Great Depression had a lasting impact on the global economy and on the policies of governments around the world. It led to a greater understanding of the importance of government intervention in the economy and the need for monetary policy to stimulate economic activity. It also led to the development of new economic theories, such as Keynesian economics, which emphasized the role of government in stabilizing the economy.

The Great Depression had a lasting impact on the modern economy. It led to the development of new economic policies, such as the New Deal, which helped to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the Great Depression. It also led to the development of new economic theories, such as Keynesian economics, which emphasized the role of government in stabilizing the economy.

The Great Depression also led to the development of new financial regulations, such as the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking. It also led to the development of new monetary policies, such as the Federal Reserve's use of open market operations to stimulate economic activity.

The Great Depression was a global economic downturn that lasted for over a decade, affecting millions of people worldwide. It was a complex and multifaceted event that had far-reaching consequences for the global economy and for the policies of governments around the world. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about the Great Depression.

Q: What caused the Great Depression?

A: The Great Depression was caused by a combination of factors, including the speculative bubble in the stock market, the lack of regulation in the financial industry, and the global economic downturn of the 1930s.

Q: What was the stock market crash of 1929?

A: The stock market crash of 1929 was a catastrophic event that occurred on October 24, 1929, also known as Black Thursday. It was a day of panic selling on the stock market, and it marked the beginning of the Great Depression.

Q: Who was affected by the Great Depression?

A: The Great Depression affected millions of people worldwide, including those in the United States, Europe, and other parts of the world. It was a global economic downturn that had far-reaching consequences for individuals, families, and communities.

Q: What were some of the key policies implemented during the Great Depression?

A: Some of the key policies implemented during the Great Depression included the New Deal, which was a series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the Great Depression. Other policies included the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking, and the Federal Reserve's use of open market operations to stimulate economic activity.

Q: What was the impact of the Great Depression on the global economy?

A: The Great Depression had a devastating impact on the global economy, leading to a decline in international trade, a rise in unemployment, and a sharp decline in economic activity. It also led to a decline in the value of currencies, a rise in protectionism, and a decline in the standard of living for millions of people.

Q: What were some of the key economic theories that emerged during the Great Depression?

A: Some of the key economic theories that emerged during the Great Depression included Keynesian economics, which emphasized the role of government in stabilizing the economy, and monetarism, which emphasized the role of monetary policy in stimulating economic activity.

Q: What was the legacy of the Great Depression?

A: The Great Depression had a lasting impact on the global economy and on the policies of governments around the world. It led to a greater understanding of the importance of government intervention in the economy and the need for monetary policy to stimulate economic activity. It also led to the development of new economic theories and policies, such as the New Deal and the Glass-Steagall Act.

Q: What can we learn from the Great Depression?

A: We can learn several things from the Great Depression, including the importance of government intervention in the economy, the need for monetary policy to stimulate economic activity, and the dangers of unchecked speculation and financial deregulation.

Q: How did the Great Depression affect different groups of people?

A: The Great Depression affected different groups of people in different ways. For example, it had a disproportionate impact on the poor and the working class, who were already struggling to make ends meet. It also had a significant impact on farmers, who were affected by the decline in agricultural prices and the rise in unemployment.

Q: What were some of the key events of the Great Depression?

A: Some of the key events of the Great Depression include the stock market crash of 1929, the passage of the New Deal, the implementation of the Glass-Steagall Act, and the rise of protectionism and isolationism.

Q: How did the Great Depression end?

A: The Great Depression ended in the late 1930s, as the global economy began to recover and governments implemented policies to stimulate economic activity. The end of the Great Depression was marked by a series of events, including the passage of the Lend-Lease Act, the implementation of the Bretton Woods Agreement, and the rise of the United States as a global economic power.

In conclusion, the Great Depression was a complex and multifaceted event that had far-reaching consequences for the global economy and for the policies of governments around the world. It was a global economic downturn that lasted for over a decade, affecting millions of people worldwide. We can learn several things from the Great Depression, including the importance of government intervention in the economy, the need for monetary policy to stimulate economic activity, and the dangers of unchecked speculation and financial deregulation.