Great depression timeline

By Shubpreet

  • Before the Great Depression

    Before the Great Depression
    The US economy had already experienced a number of depressions. These depressions were often set off by banking crisis.

  • 1929: The Great Depression Begins

    1929: The Great Depression Begins
    Herbert Hoover becomes the 31st President of the United States.The stock market reaches its peak, but there are signs that the economy is slowing.The stock market begins to crash.

  • 1930: Banks Begin to Fail

    1930: Banks Begin to Fail
    The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act is passed. Many economists say this act contributed to the Great Depression.

  • 1931: The Depression Worsens

    1931: The Depression Worsens
    Food riots begin to break out in parts of the United States.The Empire State Building is completed.

  • 1932: Unemployment Rises to 23.6 percent and over 10,000 banks have failed since 1929.

    1932: Unemployment Rises to 23.6 percent and over 10,000 banks have failed since 1929.
    Presidential candidate Franklin D. Roosevelt makes his "New Deal" speech.The Bonus Army of U.S. veterans march on Washington and demand their bonus pay. They are removed by the U.S. Army by force.Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected president.

  • 1933: The First New Deal Begins

    1933: The First New Deal Begins
    Roosevelt calls for a "bank holiday" where all banks are closed. The National Industrial Recovery Act, the Farm Credit Act, and the Banking Act of 1933 are all passed by Congress.Prohibition is repealed by the 21st Amendment.

  • 1934: More Laws are Passed

    1934: More Laws are Passed
    The SEC is established to regulate the stock market.The Corporate Bankruptcy Act becomes law.The Federal Housing Administration is established by the passing of the National Housing Act.

  • 1935: The Second New Deal Begins

    1935: The Second New Deal Begins
    The Works Progress Administration is established. It will employ 8 million workers over the next several years building things like roads, bridges, and airports.The Social Security Act is signed into law.

  • 1936: Unemployment Falls to 16.9 percent.

    1936: Unemployment Falls to 16.9 percent.
    The New Deal work relief programs not only put Americans back to work but also saw the building of countless public facilities

  • 1937: More FDR

    1937: More FDR
    Franklin D. Roosevelt is inaugurated to his second term as president.The Supreme Court rules that the Social Security Act is constitutional.

  • 1938: Unemployment Rises to 19 percent.

    1938: Unemployment Rises to 19 percent.
    Unemployment remained high, but it was slightly lower than the 25% rate seen in 1933.

  • 1939: World War II and the End of the Great Depression

    1939: World War II and the End of the Great Depression
    World War II begins when Germany invades Poland. The depression ends over the next several years as the U.S. builds up its armed forces.