The Great Depression was a period of severe economic downturn in the 1930s that affected countries worldwide. It was triggered by the stock market crash of 1929, which resulted in mass unemployment, poverty, and widespread economic hardship. The crisis deeply impacted industries, banking systems, and trade, causing a drastic decline in production and consumption. People faced increasing levels of poverty, homelessness, and despair. The Great Depression had lasting consequences, leading to fundamental changes in economic policy, government regulation, and social welfare programs. It serves as a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of economies and the importance of effective fiscal and monetary policies to prevent economic collapse.