Final answer:
The Great Depression originated with the 1929 stock market crash, leading to business closures, increased unemployment, and bank failures. The economic downturn affected both urban and rural communities across the U.S., which also influenced immigration patterns and political tensions, both domestically and internationally.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Great Depression and Its Impact
The Great Depression was an unparalleled economic disaster that began with the stock market crash in October 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s. It affected not only the United States but also the global economy. The crash led to a devastating cycle where businesses closed, unemployment rates soared, and purchasing power decreased. This, combined with widespread bank failures, created an environment of economic turmoil. More specifically, unemployment increased significantly during the Great Depression, resulting in people relying on soup kitchens for basic sustenance. The practice of over speculation contributed to making the stock market unstable and inflating prices to artificial highs. The economic challenges in the rural South and discrimination pushed African Americans to migrate north for employment opportunities, in what is known as the Great Migration. Getting into the political realm, unrestricted submarine warfare by Germany against U.S. merchant ships was one of the provocations that led to the U.S. declaring war on Germany.
With unemployment reaching 25 percent by 1933, and a significant drop in industrial output, the landscapes of American cities and rural areas were dramatically altered. Shantytowns, breadlines, and a mass exodus from farmlands desperate for jobs and better living conditions became common sights. Congress's attempt to aid with the Hawley-Smoot Tariff Act backfired, further reducing trade and exacerbating the financial woes of the nation.