Interwar Period/Great Depression

Viewpoint of Americans after WWI

Americans believed the U.S. was strong but wanted to avoid European conflicts, feared communism during the Red Scare, and helped Europe mainly through loans rather than direct involvement.

What was the Great Depression

A worldwide economic collapse beginning in 1929 marked by bank failures, business closures, and a sharp decline in global trade.

What effect did the GD have on nations

destabilized governments, increased unemployment and poverty, weakened global trade, and led many nations to expand government control and adopt extreme political systems.

What effect did the GD have on people

Millions lost jobs and savings, faced poverty and homelessness, and relied on government aid for basic survival.

What was the GD’s cause?

The Great Depression was caused by risky stock market speculation, economic inequality, overproduction as demand fell, struggling farmers and workers, and panic selling that led to the stock market crash.

How did the U.S. try to address the Great Depression?

The U.S. responded with FDR’s New Deal, which used government regulation, bank protections, aid to farmers, job programs, and Social Security to reduce suffering, even though it did not fully end the Depression.