When did the Great Depression start?

The Great Depression is widely recognized to have begun with the stock market crash of 1929, which occurred in late October. This event marked the start of a decade-long economic downturn that affected many countries, especially the United States. The crash led to significant financial instability, resulting in widespread bank failures, business closures, and soaring unemployment rates.

The other options relate to significant historical events but not directly to the start of the Great Depression. The aftermath of World War I did influence the economic climate, but it was not the trigger for the Great Depression. Similarly, the onset of World War II, which began in 1939, occurred during the ongoing economic troubles of the Great Depression, making it a separate context. Lastly, the end of Prohibition in the United States in 1933 was a significant cultural and legal change but did not coincide with the economic collapse of 1929. Understanding this context helps clarify why the stock market crash of 1929 is considered the definitive starting point of the economic crisis known as the Great Depression.