Mrs. Ruland's U.S. History Class Project
Warning Signs of Economic Instability: Crash and Depression
Stephanie, Julia, Katie, Stephanie
Although the Great Crash of 1929, came as a big shock to many people of that time, there were various warning signs of economic instability. The 1920s seemed to be a prosperous time, the stock market was healthy and growing, there were new consumer products, and many people were buying on credit. This was a disguise, however, for a rocky economy, which would only become more and more unstable, until the inevitable, the stock market crash of 1929. Later, when FDR tries to bring the country out of the Great Depression, these warning signs were studied, so they were not repeated, which brought the economic reform of the nation.
This site discusses the several main causes of the Great Depression. How over speculation of stock and uneven distribution of wealth helped lead to the nations downfall. The price of commodities was kept artificially high and that was part of the reason of overproduction. It also explains how the rest of the worlds economic problems helped bring the United States down.
2) Main Causes of the Great Depression
This site gives the reasons the Great Depression occurred. The warning signs should have been seen in advance but everyone was too caught up on their own well being. The over speculation of stocks and the uneven distribution of wealth brought the United States down into a slump. The rich was very rich and the rest of the nation was left poor.
This site explains how the Depression was bound to happen. With the Gold Standard the hoarding of money made the money supply drop. The Hawley Smoot Tariff made the United States lose money from the other countries that could have supplied the United States with good business. Its states how the Federal Reserve Board may be partially responsible for the Depression.
This site contains a chart of different causes of the Great Depression. Including buying on margin, buying on credit, and supply and demand, among others. There are also many specific details following each of these causes. This very helpful site gives excellent details for all of the causes of the depression, including some of the environmental aspects.
5) Causes of the Great Depression
This web site is helpful pointing out the 3 key factors of the stock market crash of 1929. Over speculation led the nations stocks to a super high level. Uneven distribution of wealth kept most of the nation either really poor or super rich. The government let the nations economy on its own without taking any actions in it.
6) Causes of the Great Depression: A Review of the Keynesian Theory
About the Keynesian theory and how it relates to the great depression and economic instability. It explains how laissez-faire and the Hawley Smoot tariff of 1930 brought the uneven distribution of wealth about. The economy was going into a spinning down turn and nothing was done soon enough to fix it.
7) Causes and Effects of the Great Depression
This is a helpful web site that gives many warning signs of the Great Depression. The farming career was being devastated by overproduction making their crops worth less. The uneven distribution of wealth left a few people super rich while the rest of the nation was dirt poor. The nation was isolated cut off from all trade due to the Hawley Smoot Tariff of 1930. The economy was unstable long before the Great Depression.
8) Onset of the Great Depression
Very helpful web site. Discusses how problems in the United States economy and policies influenced the great depression. The United States was unable to cope with the stock market crash. The market of agriculture in America was dying. The uneven distribution of wealth in the nation led to this downfall when the rich lost their money in the crash.
Explains the false prosperity of the 1920s and the economy as a factor which led to the stock market crash. The speculation of the stock market led to its downfall. This speculation inflated the stock market level and when it crashed people were unable to pay back their debts. Before the Depression regular people were able to participate in the stock market when before it was only for the rich.
10) The Cause of the 1929 Stock Market Crash
This great web site states several important reasons the United States' stock crashed in 1929. The stock market was full of frauds who practice theft, with overpriced stocks and margin buying. While this was all happening the government did nothing to stop this and left the economy and the people being robbed to fend for themselves.
Images from:
Icon and Header created by Stephanie Whalen
"Panic on Wall Street" from: http://www.authentichistory.com/ed/1930s/images/1929_panic_on_wall_street.html
Last updated March 28, 2005
© Marcella Ruland 1998-2008, All rights reserved
