Choose a challenge that the U.S. faced during the period described in this lesson and
create an argument showing why you believe it was the most serious challenge the U.S.
faced. Use evidence from the text to support your claim and cite page number and
paragraph number.
The most serious challenge the U.S. faced during the period described in this lesson was the Great Depression. The Great Depression was a severe economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until the early 1940s. It was the longest and most severe economic downturn in U.S. history, and it had a devastating impact on the lives of millions of Americans. According to the text, “The Great Depression caused widespread unemployment, poverty, and suffering. It also led to a dramatic decline in the nation’s economic output and a sharp rise in the number of people living in poverty” (p. 2, para. 3). The Great Depression had a profound effect on the U.S. economy, leading to a dramatic decrease in production, a sharp rise in unemployment, and a decrease in the standard of living for millions of Americans. The economic downturn also had a significant impact on the nation’s political and social landscape, leading to a rise in populism and a shift in the nation’s political ideology. The Great Depression was the most serious challenge the U.S. faced during this period, and its effects were felt for decades after the economic downturn ended.
