The Great Depression started with the stock market crash in 1929. It changed American life in many ways.

Economic Impact:

• By 1933, unemployment jumped to about 25%. This meant nearly 15 million Americans couldn't find jobs.
• The country's Gross National Product (GNP) dropped from $104 billion in 1929 to around$58 billion by 1932. That's almost a 45% decrease.

Social Changes:

• Families struggled with money. This led to more divorces and families breaking apart. Many kids had to leave school because families needed them to work.
• Many people moved away from their homes to find better opportunities. A lot of those who left came from areas affected by the Dust Bowl, heading west to places like California. About 2.5 million people made this move between 1930 and 1940.

Cultural Shifts:

• New cultural movements emerged during this time, like the Harlem Renaissance. This celebrated African American culture and arts. Important figures like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston became famous during this period.
• Movies and radio became popular ways to escape everyday struggles. By 1932, 80% of American homes had radios, and films like "Gone with the Wind" really captured people's imagination.

Government Response:

• President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal. This was a set of programs to help the economy recover, like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These programs created millions of jobs.
• The Social Security Act of 1935 brought in unemployment insurance and pensions, changing how people related to the government.

In short, the Great Depression significantly changed America in many ways—economically, socially, and culturally. It led to important changes in government policy and how society worked.