Did you know that the Great Depression in the United States was the worst economic downturn in the country's history? Beginning with the stock market crash of 1929, the Great Depression lasted for over a decade, impacting millions of Americans. During the Great Depression, unemployment soared to over 25%, with many people losing their homes and savings. The economy shrank by almost 30% and businesses went bankrupt, leading to widespread poverty and desperation. President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented the New Deal in an attempt to jumpstart the economy and provide relief to those suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. The New Deal included programs like the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Social Security Act, aimed at putting people back to work and providing a safety net for the elderly and disabled. The Great Depression finally began to ease with the outbreak of World War II, as the United States mobilized for war and industries began producing goods for the military. The war effort brought millions of Americans back to work and led to a revival of the economy. The legacy of the Great Depression can still be seen in the policies and programs implemented by the government to prevent such a catastrophic economic collapse from happening again.