Which event marked the beginning of the Great Depression?

The stock market crash of 1929 is widely recognized as the event that signified the onset of the Great Depression. On October 29, 1929, known as Black Tuesday, stock prices plummeted dramatically, leading to a loss of confidence in the financial markets. This crash caused a ripple effect throughout the economy, as banks failed, businesses closed, and unemployment soared.

The impact of this event was far-reaching, influencing not only the United States but also economies worldwide. It marked the transition from what many thought was a prosperous economic era in the 1920s to one of severe financial distress that lasted for about a decade. Subsequent economic policies and government responses to the crisis, including the New Deal, came later, as attempts to recover from the economic downturn. The other events listed, such as the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and the Dust Bowl, occurred later or were consequences of other factors, highlighting the pivotal role of the stock market crash in initiating the Great Depression.