Great Depression
A severe worldwide economic depression mostly during the 1930s
Real World Example
The Great Depression was a critical event because it exposed the weaknesses in the global economy and led to widespread poverty and unemployment. It highlighted the importance of financial regulations, social safety nets, and government intervention to stabilize economies, ideas that remain relevant today. Many countries learned from this period by creating programs like unemployment insurance and social security to protect citizens during economic downturns. For example, these programs help people today by providing financial support when they lose their jobs, reducing the risk of poverty. Additionally, the Great Depression taught governments to stimulate the economy during recessions, which affects decisions on things like infrastructure spending and interest rates that impact everyone's daily life.