GCSE Int Coursework: A – The Great Depression
On the 24th October 1929 and then again on the 29th October 1929, share prices on the New York Stock Exchange collapsed. To many people this came as a shock and very few people expected it.
For seven years share prices had risen steadily and more people had invested money as a result. Many people had come to see the Stock Market as a safe and easy way of making money. However, in October1929, their hopes and dreams were dashed.
The Wall Street Crash culminated in a downward spiral towards the Great Depression.
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In this assignment you will be required to investigate the many reasons for the causes of the Great Depression.
• America’s policy of isolationism
• Over production by American industries
• Speculation on the Stock Exchange
• Unequal distribution of wealth
• Over confidence in the economy
• Panic selling of shares
• The Agricultural Depression
• The Wall Street Crash
1. Choose any one reason from the list above and explain how it contributed to the Great Depression. (7)
2. Choose one long term and one short term reason (other than that already given in Question 1) and explain how they both contributed in different ways to the Great Depression. (8)
3. From the remaining reasons not already chosen, were any of these more important than the others in causing the Great Depression? Explain your answer with reference to any four reasons. (10)
Danny Roche 