#1
Which event is often considered the starting point of the Great Depression?
Stock Market Crash of 1929
ExplanationThe collapse of stock prices triggered widespread panic, leading to economic downturn.
#2
Which of the following contributed to the economic boom of the 1920s before the Great Depression?
Expansion of consumer credit
ExplanationIncreased access to credit fueled consumer spending and economic growth.
#3
What term refers to the period of intense dust storms that greatly damaged the agriculture of the American and Canadian prairies during the 1930s?
Dust Bowl
ExplanationThe Dust Bowl devastated agricultural lands, exacerbating economic hardships.
#4
Which industry experienced a significant decline in production and sales during the Great Depression, leading to widespread unemployment?
Automobile
ExplanationDwindling consumer demand crippled the automobile industry, contributing to unemployment.
#5
What was the name given to the makeshift communities of homeless people during the Great Depression, named after President Hoover?
Hoovervilles
ExplanationMakeshift shantytowns symbolized the failure of Hoover's policies to alleviate poverty.
#6
Who was the President of the United States during the beginning of the Great Depression?
Herbert Hoover
ExplanationHoover's presidency was marked by the onset and initial response to the economic crisis.
#7
Which of the following was a major cause of the Dust Bowl during the Great Depression?
Overfarming and drought
ExplanationIntensive farming practices coupled with severe drought led to environmental catastrophe.
#8
Which country experienced hyperinflation during the Great Depression, leading to social and political upheaval?
Germany
ExplanationGermany's hyperinflation undermined its economy and contributed to political unrest.
#9
Which program, enacted during the New Deal, aimed to provide employment opportunities for millions of unemployed Americans?
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
ExplanationThe WPA employed millions in public works projects, stimulating the economy and providing jobs.
#10
During the Great Depression, what was the unemployment rate in the United States at its peak?
25%
ExplanationUnemployment soared to unprecedented levels, reaching a peak of 25%.
#11
What was one of the main objectives of the New Deal policies implemented during the Great Depression?
To provide relief, recovery, and reform
ExplanationThe New Deal aimed to alleviate suffering, revive the economy, and enact lasting changes.
#12
Who authored the influential book 'The General Theory of Employment, Interest, and Money' during the Great Depression?
John Maynard Keynes
ExplanationKeynes's work revolutionized economic thought, advocating for government intervention during downturns.
#13
Which of the following was a significant factor contributing to the end of the Great Depression?
The start of World War II
ExplanationWar mobilization stimulated industrial production and employment, lifting the economy out of depression.
#14
Who was the first woman to serve in the United States Cabinet, appointed during Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency?
Frances Perkins
ExplanationPerkins spearheaded New Deal initiatives as Secretary of Labor, championing workers' rights.
#15
Which of the following countries did not experience significant economic downturn during the Great Depression?
Soviet Union
ExplanationThe Soviet Union's planned economy insulated it from the worst effects of the global economic crisis.