1.  The Great Depression occurred from 1929 to 1941. It was a severe economic downturn, and millions of people were unemployed. It was caused by several factors, including the stock market crash of 1929. FOCUS

2.  Longest economic depression in U.S. history  Eventually, the government took a more active role in the economy  The depression did not end until the U.S. entered World War II in 1941. THE GREAT DEPRESSION 1929-1941 OVERVIEW

3.  The immediate cause of the Great Depression was the stock market crash in October 1929 CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

4.  Why did the stock market crash?  1. Over-speculation of stocks  People invested in the stock market because it was making a lot of money  Stock prices were higher than their actual worth CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

5.  2. Buying stocks on margin  Lack of regulation allowed people to buy stock on margin  Paid for a small % of the stock, then took out a loan for the rest  When the market crashed, loans were not paid off CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

6.  1. What was the immediate cause of the Great Depression in 1929?  2. Discuss two other causes of the Great Depression. DO NOW

7.  Other causes of the Great Depression:  1. High tariffs led to little international trade  2. High disparity between the rich and poor CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

8.  3. Overproduction of consumer and agricultural goods  As prices fell, farmers kept producing more to try to keep their revenues up  As a result, prices fell further  Farmers experienced the problems of the Great Depression before the rest of the country CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

9.  4. The Dust Bowl  overproduction and overuse of land led to the destruction of crops  The Dust Bowl spread over much of the Great Plains CAUSES OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION

10. THE DUST BOWL

12.  Many farmers went west to California to work as migrant farmers  They became known as Okies and were often unwelcome in California THE DUST BOWL

13.  The Great Depression led to massive unemployment throughout the United States  At its height, 25% of Americans were unemployed  Many more were underemployed THE GREAT DEPRESSION