What event began the Great Depression in 1929?

The event that sparked the Great Depression in 1929 was the stock market collapse. This catastrophic decline in stock prices, which began on October 24, 1929, known as Black Thursday, led to widespread panic among investors. As stock values plummeted, many banks failed, businesses closed, and millions lost their jobs. The panic and loss of confidence in the economy resulted in a severe contraction of economic activity, marking the beginning of a decade-long economic downturn known as the Great Depression. The stock market's descent not only wiped out personal fortunes but also destabilized the American banking system and contributed to a broader crisis that affected economies worldwide.

The other events mentioned, such as the Dust Bowl, which occurred later in the 1930s and exacerbated agricultural distress, World War I, which had already concluded and created different economic conditions, and the election of Franklin D. Roosevelt, which took place in 1932 during the Depression, did not serve as the initial catalyst for the economic crisis. The stock market collapse stands out as the pivotal moment that set off this profound economic catastrophe.