The Great Depression

The Great Depression was a time of great economic crisis during the 1930s. It began in the United States in 1929, but quickly spread throughout much of the world. It was the worst economic downturn in the history of the industrialized world. 

Downturn = "recesión"

During this time, many people were out of work, hungry, and homeless. In the city, people would stand in long lines at soup kitchens to get a bite to eat. In the country, farmers struggled in the Midwest where a great drought turned the soil into dust causing huge dust storms. (tormentas de polvo). 

How did it start? 

The Great Depression began with the crash of the stock market in October of 1929. Historians and economists give various causes for the Great Depression including drought, overproduction of goods, bank failures, stock speculation, and consumer debt. 

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