What event marked the beginning of the Great Depression?

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 is widely recognized as the event that marked the beginning of the Great Depression. This catastrophic event occurred in late October 1929 when the stock market experienced a significant decline, leading to widespread financial panic and a loss of confidence in the economy.

The crash caused numerous investors to lose enormous amounts of money, which in turn reduced consumer spending and investment. This decline in economic activity led to bank failures, unemployment, and a severe contraction in economic growth, all hallmarks of the Great Depression. Furthermore, the crash set in motion a chain of events that resulted in prolonged economic hardship not only in the United States but globally as well.

In contrast, the other events listed occurred either during or after the onset of the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl was primarily an environmental disaster during the 1930s that exacerbated agricultural problems in the U.S. The establishment of the New Deal was a response to the Great Depression, aiming to provide relief and recovery, and the end of World War I set the stage for many economic conditions, but it was not a direct cause of the Great Depression. Thus, the Stock Market Crash of 1929 is accurately identified as the catalyst for this significant economic downturn.