The Great Depression was a severe worldwide economic downturn that took place during the 1930s. It began after the stock market crash of October 1929, which sent Wall Street into a panic and wiped out millions of investors. (KC-7.3.I.A)
The Stock Market Crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Great Depression. Over the course of several days in October, stock prices plummeted, and the market lost a significant portion of its value. This event triggered a decade-long economic crisis affecting both industrialized and non-industrialized countries around the world.