preview

Stock Market Crash

Decent Essays

The stock market and its crash is argued by some historians in being a key impetus towards the great depression. The reality of the stock market was that many lived far below the poverty line and much of the investments which were carried out were bought ‘on the margin’. Additionally, there had been an immense amount of unregulated speculation resulting in huge debt as the levels of stock prices exceeded real economic growth, resulting in a continued lack of confidence and a fragile banking system. This resulted in an enormous crash to the extent that the Bull Market was described as ‘dead’ and billions of dollars of profits were discarded. In association with the weaknesses within the banking system, the fact that most of the rural banks were …show more content…

Graubard further continues to argue that Hoover’s domestic policies were limited and gave little satisfaction towards a society surrounded by mass unemployment, huge losses of income as well as savings. In addition to this, the increase in unemployment resulted in the government being faced with highly increased expenditure on welfares. In 1931, it raised income tax and cut unemployment pay by 10 per cent and introduced the means test. These measures reduced the amount of money people had to spend and therefore in this regard the government can be argued to have played a significant role in causing the Great Depression. As a result, Hoover is often criticised from both sides with regards for doing too little too late, however he is also criticised for doing too much.
Overall, it is clear that various historians have argued on different factors being the prime reasons for the cause of the great depression, therefore the main reason for the cause of the great depression can vary when looking at historical interpretations of the period and the opinions surrounding the issue. Examples of key historians which differ in their interpretations towards the causes of the great depression include Anthony Badger, Paul Johnson and Milton Friedman

Get Access