Which event is commonly associated with the start of the Great Depression?

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 is commonly associated with the start of the Great Depression because it marked a significant turning point in the U.S. economy. On October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday, a dramatic decline in stock prices erased millions of dollars in wealth and severely undermined consumer confidence. This crash led to a chain reaction of economic failures, including bank insolvencies and massive unemployment as businesses contracted or failed altogether.

The impact of the crash was not limited to just the stock market; it fostered a pervasive climate of uncertainty and fear among consumers and investors. As people began to withdraw their deposits from banks, it caused further financial instability. This event is widely considered the catalyst that initiated the decade-long economic downturn known as the Great Depression, influencing both domestic policies and global economic conditions.

In contrast, the Dust Bowl refers to a severe drought in the 1930s that impacted agriculture, while the end of World War I and the New Deal represent significant events in American history but do not specifically signal the onset of the Great Depression. The New Deal was a series of programs and reforms implemented in response to the Great Depression rather than a precursor to it.