The Great Depression was the worst economic catastrophic suffered by industrialized nations for almost 10 years from 1929 to 1939. On October 1929, the Stock Market crashed and initiated the worst downturn in history affecting the world´s economies. Due to this conditions many small and big investors alike, saw their life savings being wiped out almost overnight. Distrust and panic set among the people and the consequences were devastating.
The US government could have done somethings differently to help European Nations, and perhaps avoid the Great Depression. Principally, the government could have eliminated all obstacles allowing nations to conduct trade in a freely manner, especially in Europe after WWI. On the contrary, tariffs and laws to protect commerce and trade were imposed thus, severely hampering rebuilding efforts in Europe after the devastating WWI. At the same time, the US government could have done more to stop many investment practices, which were very abusive and fraudulent and took money from small investors, and eventually contributed to market instability, triggering the market crashed and the subsequently Great Depression of 1929.