Cornell Notes
Name: ___________________________________
Topic: The causes of the Great Depression
Class: _________________ Period: ________
Essential Question: What were the causes of the Great Depression?
Date: ____________________________
Questions/Main Ideas:
Notes:
Great Depression:
A worldwide economic downturn
that began in the United States
with the Stock Market crash of
1929, resulted in a virtual
stoppage of global trade, and
ended around 1939.
Terms: (Define)
Depression: A severe, prolonged economic downturn marked by high
unemployment and falling incomes.
Economy:
Prosperous:
Stock:
Income:
Causes:
Credit Abuse:
Buying stocks with credit (on
margin) was a contributing factor
in the 1929 Stock Market crash.
Overproduction
Credit abuse: During the 1920’s, consumers purchased items that they could
not afford, using credit, but when they couldn’t pay off their credit balance,
they accumulated more debt, and businesses lose profits from the sale.
How this contributed to the Great Depression: When businesses lose
profits, they can’t make payroll. This usually results in businesses cutting
jobs. When people can’t work, they can’t buy, and businesses fail.
Overproduction: Making more than is wanted or needed.
-Industry:
-Agriculture:
How this contributed to the Great Depression:
Uneven distribution of wealth
Uneven distribution of wealth:
How this contributed to the Great Depression:
Summary: