About
The Great Depression (1929–1939) began with the US stock market crash on October 29, 1929 ("Black Tuesday") and quickly spread globally. US unemployment reached 25%; in some countries it exceeded 33%. Industrial production collapsed, banks failed, and poverty became a daily reality for hundreds of millions.
The Depression transformed the relationship between government and economy. FDR's New Deal created social security, unemployment insurance, and massive government infrastructure programs. In Europe, economic despair helped bring Hitler to power in Germany. The Depression ended only with the massive government spending of World War II, establishing Keynesian economics as the dominant framework.
# Top 10 Great Depression facts
- 1US unemployment reached 25% during the Depression — 15 million people were out of work
- 2The Depression helped bring Hitler to power in Germany — economic despair enabled extremism
- 3FDR's New Deal programs, created during the Depression, still shape American life today
Fascinating Facts
- ◆US unemployment reached 25% during the Depression — 15 million people were out of work
- ◆The Depression helped bring Hitler to power in Germany — economic despair enabled extremism
- ◆FDR's New Deal programs, created during the Depression, still shape American life today
More in History4 related
2
History
Moon Landing
On July 20, 1969, humans first set foot on another world.
Interest96/100
46
History
World War II
The deadliest conflict in human history — 70-85 million lives lost, reshaping the entire world.
Interest83/100
21
History
French Revolution
The violent birth of modern democracy, liberty, and the nation-state.
Interest75/100
49
History
The Library of Alexandria
The ancient world's greatest center of knowledge — and its catastrophic loss.
Interest75/100