Final answer:
A decline in the economy for six straight months in the United States is considered a recession, which is a shorter period of economic decline compared to a depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
A decline in the economy for six straight months in the United States is considered a recession. During a recession, the real GDP (production) decreases for 6 consecutive months, and the unemployment rate usually increases.
On the other hand, a depression is a prolonged period of economic recession marked by a significant decline in income and employment. Depressions are caused by the same factors that lead to a recession, but there is no widely accepted definition of depressions.
It is important to note that a recession is a shorter period of economic decline compared to a depression.