What event marked the start of the Great Depression?

The stock market crash of 1929 is widely recognized as the event that marked the beginning of the Great Depression. This catastrophic event occurred in late October 1929 when stock prices plummeted, leading to a dramatic loss of wealth and consumer confidence. The crash not only reflected the economic instability of the time but also triggered a series of failures in banks, businesses, and agricultural sectors, resulting in widespread unemployment and hardship across the United States and eventually around the world.

The significance of this event cannot be overstated, as it set into motion a chain reaction that led to the prolonged economic downturn referred to as the Great Depression. It illustrated the vulnerabilities in the economic system of the time, particularly with over-speculation in the stock market and the lack of regulatory oversight. As a result, many subsequent policies and reforms emerged in response to the crisis, including the New Deal, which aimed to address the economic challenges facing the nation.

In contrast to the stock market crash, other options such as the Dust Bowl represented environmental and agricultural challenges exacerbated by the ongoing economic issues but were not the initial trigger for the Great Depression. The signing of the New Deal was a response to the crisis rather than a cause, and while World War I had significant effects on