write a body paragraph that explains how the unbalanced workforce led to the great depression while following this rubric:
Body Paragraph (10pts)
Topic sentence (claim)
Evidence #1 with Cite
Commentary connecting Ev. #1 to claim
Evidence #2 with Cite
Commentary connecting Ev. #2 to claim
Evidence is correctly used for argument
The unbalanced workforce significantly contributed to the onset of the Great Depression. This can be evidenced by the overproduction of goods in key industries such as agriculture and manufacturing. According to historian Robert S. McElvaine, "Between 1920 and 1929, the average annual output of corn rose from 2.6 billion bushels to 4 billion, while the price per bushel dropped from $1.39 to $0.52" (McElvaine, 2009). This evidence suggests that the agricultural sector experienced a surplus of goods that far exceeded demand, leading to a decline in prices and subsequent financial struggles for farmers. Similarly, the manufacturing industry witnessed a similar pattern of overproduction. As McElvaine points out, "In the early 1920s, for example, 150,000 cars were made annually, but by 1929 almost 5 million were being made" (McElvaine, 2009). This surge in production ultimately led to an excess supply of automobiles in the market, an inability to sell them, and a subsequent decline in profits for manufacturers. The overproduction of goods in both agriculture and manufacturing demonstrates the imbalanced state of the workforce, as demand failed to keep up with supply. Consequently, this economic disparity fueled the downward spiral of the economy, ultimately resulting in the Great Depression.
