Which event is considered the beginning of the Great Depression?

The stock market crash of 1929 marks the beginning of the Great Depression, primarily because it triggered a widespread economic downturn that affected millions of people worldwide. On October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday, stock prices plummeted, leading to a loss of confidence among investors and consumers. This event led to the collapse of banks and businesses, massive unemployment, and a steep decline in economic activity.

While other options are significant events, they did not initiate the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl represented an ecological disaster that compounded economic problems in the 1930s but came after the initial market crash. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff, which raised tariffs on many imported goods, further strained economic relations and worsened the depression, but it was a consequence of the economic crisis rather than a starting point. Lastly, the onset of World War II had the paradoxical effect of revitalizing economies due to increased production needs but occurred a decade after the Great Depression began. The stock market crash, therefore, stands as the pivotal event that set off this global economic crisis.