The Great Depression had a profound impact on the global economy, leading to unprecedented levels of unemployment, poverty, and dislocation. Beginning with the stock market crash in 1929, the economic downturn spread worldwide, causing trade to plummet and financial institutions to fail. Countries faced severe economic challenges, with many resorting to protectionist measures that further deepened global economic strife. The Depression prompted significant government interventions, including New Deal programs in the United States, aimed at economic recovery and social reform. The long-lasting effects of the Great Depression influenced economic policies and international relations for decades.