Final answer:
Mr. Butler would acknowledge that the Great Depression largely affected merchants, real estate, banks, and individuals, leading to widespread unemployment, homelessness, and significant economic downturn in multiple sectors.
Step-by-step explanation:
Mr. Butler would say that the Great Depression affected a broad swath of society, including merchants, the real estate market, banks, and — perhaps most acutely — individuals. The downturn disrupted all levels of the economy, from the nation's gross national product to the daily lives of average Americans. Merchants faced a severe decrease in consumer purchasing, real estate values plummeted as foreclosures increased, banks failed by the thousands unable to withstand the financial strain, and individuals faced unprecedented levels of unemployment, homelessness, and hunger.
These issues compounded into a crisis felt across urban and rural landscapes. African Americans and the rural poor were disproportionately impacted. Unemployment reached a quarter of the workforce, and homelessness gave rise to Hoovervilles on the outskirts of cities. With the reduction in consumer spending, a key engine for the American economy at the time, the road to recovery was strenuous and prolonged.