What event is often cited as the beginning of the Great Depression?

The stock market crash of 1929 is widely regarded as the catalyst for the onset of the Great Depression. This crash, which occurred in late October of that year, marked a significant decline in stock prices and led to a loss of confidence among investors. It precipitated a series of economic failures and bank collapses, culminating in widespread unemployment and a drastic reduction in consumer spending.

The impact of the crash was profound, resulting in a chain reaction that not only affected Wall Street but also penetrated into various sectors of the economy. As businesses struggled and people lost their savings, the economic downturn deepened, ultimately leading into the Great Depression that lasted throughout the 1930s.

Other events listed, like the Dust Bowl, though significant in their own right, were symptoms of the economic distress caused by the Depression rather than its causes. The signing of the New Deal was a response to the Depression, aimed at providing relief and reforms to recover the economy. Lastly, the outbreak of World War II marked a shift in focus from the economic issues of the 1930s to wartime production and mobilization, further distancing it from the initial causes of the Great Depression.