Causes and Social Consequences of the Great Depression

Causes of the Great Depression Triggered by the collapse of the U.S. stock market (too much speculation, not enough real investment). Much was bought “on margin” with much of the purchase price borrowed from stockbrokers. When prices fell, people had to sell their stock to pay off their brokers. There was then a mass sell off.

Causes of the Great Depression People bought less Prices fell further Production began to slow Unemployment rose People bought less Vicious spiraling decline – not just in the U.S., but in any country that traded extensively with the U.S.

Causes of the Great Depression Americans called in their international loans So gold flowed out of Europe (especially Germany and Austria) to pay these loans. Post World War I U.S. investment in Europe ended

Causes of the Great Depression Countries decided to go it alone, rather than coordinating their responses. Many countries went off the gold standard (untying the value of their money directly to gold). Many erected tariffs. Most cut spending – exactly what economist John Maynard Keynes said not to do.

Causes of the Great Depression No country provided international leadership.

Social Impact of the Great Depression Women had an easier time finding jobs because women worked for lower wages. This left even more unemployed angry men who often joined gangs, raising feelings of fear and insecurity.

Social Impact of the Great Depression There was renewed interest in Marxist doctrine People were willing to support extreme leaders (fascists) who promised solutions to economic problems.