Final answer:
Yes, capitalist economies encountered significant instability in the twentieth century, highlighted by major economic events like the Great Depression and the Long Depression.
Step-by-step explanation:
It is true that capitalist economies experienced considerable instability during the twentieth century. This period witnessed several major economic upheavals including the Great Depression of the 1930s, which caused widespread unemployment, immense poverty, and financial collapse. Industries that were once booming faced severe trouble, as evidenced by the stock market crash of 1929 which set off a global economic downturn. In addition, there were several financial crises such as the Panic of 1893 and the Long Depression starting in 1873, where economic boom periods were often followed by recessions and depressions, manifesting the instability of capitalist economies.