What event marked the beginning of the Great Depression in 1929?

The Stock Market Crash of 1929 is widely recognized as the pivotal event that initiated the Great Depression. On October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday, stock prices plummeted dramatically, leading to a loss of investor confidence and significant financial instability. This crash had a cascading effect on the economy, resulting in bank failures, business bankruptcies, and massive unemployment. The sharp decline in consumer spending and investment contributed to a severe economic downturn, which lasted throughout the 1930s.

Understanding this context illuminates why the other options do not serve as the primary event marking the start of the Great Depression. The Dust Bowl, although a significant environmental disaster during the 1930s that exacerbated the economic situation, occurred after the stock market crash. The New Deal, initiated in response to the economic crisis, was a series of financial and social programs aimed at recovery but came after the onset of the Depression. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff, enacted in 1930, significantly raised tariffs on imports and is often cited as worsening the economic situation, yet it followed the initial crash and was a consequence rather than a precursor.