What was the most severe economic downturn in U.S. history known as?

The Great Depression, which occurred in the 1930s, is recognized as the most severe economic downturn in U.S. history. It was characterized by a dramatic decline in economic activity, high unemployment rates, widespread bank failures, and significant deflation. Its onset began with the stock market crash of 1929, and its effects lasted throughout the decade, leading to immense suffering for millions of Americans, shifts in economic policy, and lasting changes to the financial system, including the establishment of social safety nets.

Understanding this context allows one to appreciate how the Great Depression shaped modern economic policies and the role of government in economic stability. The other options refer to different economic events: The Great Recession was a significant but less severe economic crisis in 2007-2009; The Long Depression was a prolonged economic stagnation that began in the 1870s; and the Economic Crash is a vague term that does not specifically identify any singular historical event. Thus, the Great Depression stands out as the most devastating and transformative economic crisis in U.S. history.